Each worked in his own line and with his own means, and neither had any thought of going beyond what the tribal organization could give them.

There was no idea of revolutionizing or even reforming the organization.

Had one of them entertained such a thought the other would have become his bitterest enemy, for both were deeply imbued with the principles on which rested the existence of the society in which they had been born.

All they aspired to was to eliminate a certain number of men or people, in order to secure with greater ease certain advantages.

It was the survival of the fittest, as primitive society understands it and as refined society attempts to enact, though with more refined means.
The stumbling-blocks in the path of these intriguers were the chief penitents,--the cacique, or as their titles run, the Hotshanyi, or principal cacique, and his two assistants, the uishtyaka and the shaykatze.