After two hours of sun they came to the natural clearing and the tribal village.
The village was a crude thing by stockade standards. It was a cluster of mud and stick houses around the central more pretentious Chieftain's lodge. Before the lodge there was the large fireplace where the community roasted the hunters' kills on three huge spits. The ground around the fireplace was smooth and covered with white sand taken from the bottom of the fast running creek that at the far left of the clearing threaded its way off into the tangle of trees. Bones and other refuse were carried in reed baskets to a pit well back in the forest away from the clearing. The whole of the village was clean and orderly, and, in back of the lodge, there was a patch of flower-like plants most of which were dead with autumn and frost.
Several meat animals were staked out near the stream and two tiny domesticated arboreal animals called corlieu sat before their owners' huts, in the sunshine.
When the four natives stepped into the clearing, all other activity ceased. Children broke off their cries, and adults turned from their labors. A great silence fell upon the village. Natives appeared at doors.
Slowly the four walked toward the lodge; one limped slightly from a thorn in his naked foot. All eyes turned to mark their progress.
The Chieftain sat at the door of his lodge. Upon their funeral-like approach, he rose. He stared at each one in turn as if trying to believe one of them were someone else. Then he shifted his eyes over their heads to the spot in the forest where they had emerged.
Neju shook his head slowly and the Chieftain seemed to retreat as if from an invisible blow; then he stood erect, gestured that they should enter, and followed them in.
Slowly, outside, movement began again. There was a floating whisper of soft words and the children moved gravely about. Even the corlieus seemed to sense the change and did not try to attract attention. Overhead, a great bird flapped by.
Inside the lodge the four arranged themselves differentially at their Chieftain's feet.