“Yahn!”––the voice of Ka-yemo was not loud, but hard and full of angry meaning. “The other women of your clan have gone to the hills!”
“Let them go,” said the girl insolently––“I do not go! For these strangers I make the talks to the old men, I am the one woman needful in the valley of P[=o]-s[=o]n-gé!”
It was the hour of her triumph, and Padre Vicente looked at the two keenly. Here was a clash of two savage minds––potent for good or ill.
“To the council I will talk––I am of the people of your father––I am the nearest man––I tell you I forbid you!”
His words fell over each other in anger, and his uncle, the governor, looked at him in reproach––this was not a moment for private quarrel.
“Are you so!––the nearest?” and Yahn showed her teeth. “I do not see it so. I stand near two other men, and am well content!”
She stood between Gonzalvo and Chico, and smiled on the latter, who frankly smiled a response––at that moment Yahn was happy in her defiance. Ka-yemo need not think her forsaken! She had caught fish without a net! To the governor José 146 was speaking; at once there were signs of delight among the listeners. One of the old men was of his clan––other of his people were alive––and all had thought never to look on him again, it was a good day at Povi-whah!
José showed them his wife, who was greeted with joy, and all proceeded to the court of the village, where, at the house of the governor, they were given cooked corn of the feast, then rolls of bread, and stew of deer meat.
José told of his days as a slave until he was traded into the land of Padre Vicente, and of the great desire of Padre Vicente to bring him back in some lucky year to his people, and also to see with his own eyes the fine land of the Te-huas. He added also that the padre had been very kind, and that he was near to the white god of the men of iron, and strong in medicine of the spirit world.
“We already know that the medicine of the men of iron is strong medicine––and that their gods listen,” said the governor.