In the room were gathered the same elders with whom he had talked in the afternoon. To their number had been added the warriors, Sunka and Boshot, who had slain the jaguar in the morning.
An expression of deep perplexity was visible on all the dark faces. It was plain that the problem with which they had to deal was giving them a great deal of concern.
Bomba listened intently, trying not to lose a syllable. Abino was speaking.
“It is certain that Japazy will not wish to see the stranger,” he said. “Who would wish to see the son of the man he had killed?”
“Is it known to Abino that Japazy killed the stranger’s father?” asked Boshot.
“Japazy has not told it to Abino,” was the answer. “But when Japazy has taken too much intoxicating drink he has talked sometimes to himself and Abino’s ears have been open to his words. The stranger thinks his father’s name was Bartow. When Japazy’s speech has been thick he has spoken the name of Bartow and made motions with his knife. Then he has said, ‘Bartow is dead.’ Then Japazy has smiled as if he were glad.”
“Did Japazy kill the stranger’s mother, too?” asked Sunka.
“Abino does not know,” the native replied. “Japazy has not spoken of that. But many times he has gone to look at the woman’s face on the wall, and when he turned away Japazy’s face was net good to see.”
“It may be that Japazy has questions he would ask of the stranger, as well as hear the stranger’s questions,” put in one of the elders. “Japazy may be angry if he comes back and finds the stranger dead so that he may not speak with him.”
“He need not know that the stranger has been here,” observed another of the group. “We can put the people under silence so that they will not speak of his coming.”