Since the rain which followed upon the ayash tyucotz the sky had been blue again as before; the season for daily showers had not yet commenced, and the people were in the corn-patches as busy as possible, improving the bright days in weeding and putting the ground in order.

The bottom of the gorge therefore presented an active appearance.

Men and women moved about the houses, in and out of the cave-dwellings, and in the fields.

From the tasselled corn that grew in these plots a tall figure emerged; it was Topanashka himself, and he directed his steps toward the cliffs at the lower end, where the Turquoise people dwelt.

The old man moved as usual with a silent, measured step which would have appeared stately had not his head leaned forward.