Then I came out.
"What does all this mean, Chief ?" I asked angrily when we were clear of the patch of cotton palm.
"I mean, Friend, that you have been very near to making a longer journey than you thought.

Have patience now and listen to me.

I saw you leaving the village this morning and followed, suspecting your purpose.

Yes, I followed alone, saying nothing to the priests of Oro who fortunately were away watching the Bellower for their own reasons.

I saw you searching out the secrets of the mountain with those magic tubes that make things big that are small, and things that are far off come near, and I followed you to the canoes." "All that is plain enough, Marama.