g. A little bank
that runs from the wickiup to the toyon bushes is covered with white
forget-me-nots. The hearth-fire between two stones is quite out, but
the deerskin that screens the opening of the hut is caught up at one
side, a sign that the owner is not far from home, or expects to
return soon._

_At first glance the scene appears devoid of life, but suddenly the
call of a jay bird is heard faintly and far up the trail that leads
to the right among the rocks. It is repeated nearer at hand,
perfectly imitated but with a nuance that advises of human origin,
and two or three half-naked Indians are seen to be making their way
toward the bottom of the canyon, their movements so cunningly
harmonized with the lines of the landscape as to render them nearly
invisible._ CHOCO _and_ PAMAQUASH _with two others come together at
the end of the bank farthest from the_ CHISERA'S _hut._

CHOCO

Who called?

PAMAQUASH

It came from farther up.

CHOCO

Yavi, I think.

PAMAQUASH

He must have seen something.

CHOCO

By the Bear, if the Castacs have crossed our boundaries, there are
some of them shall not recross it!

PAMAQUASH

Hush--the Chisera--she will hear you!

CHOCO

She is not in the hut. She went out toward the hills early this
morning, and has not yet returned. Besides, if the Castacs have
crossed, we cannot keep it from the women much longer.

PAMAQUASH

(_Who has moved up to a better post of observation._) There is some
one on the trail.

(_The jay's call is heard and answered softly by_ PAMAQUASH.)

CHOCO

Yavi. But Tavwots is not with him. (YAVI _comes dropping from the
cliffs._) What have you seen?

YAVI

Smoke rising--by Deer Leap. Two long puffs and a short one.

(_The news is received with sharp, excited murmurs._)

PAMAQUASH

More than a score--and with all our youths we cannot count so many.

CHOCO

And this business of war leader still unsettled--The Council must sit
at once. Go, one of you, and tell Chief Rain Wind that Tavwots has
signaled from Deer Leap that more than a score of Castacs are out
against us.

PAMAQUASH

And tell the women to prepare a gift hastily for the Chisera. Who
knows how soon we shall have need of her medicine.

(_One of the Indians departs on this errand._)

CHOCO

Never so much need of it as when we have neglected our own part of
the affair! Even before the Castacs began to fill up our springs and