Therefore the caciques, as soon as they had been informed of the subject, could not stay at the meeting, but had to retire.
This happens at every discussion of a similar nature, and their departure was merely in the ordinary routine of business.

Nobody felt shocked or even surprised at it.

But everybody, on the other hand, noticed the reply given by the aged Hotshanyi, felt it like some dread warning,--the foreboding of some momentous question of danger to the people.

An uneasy feeling crept over many of the assistants who were not, like Tyope and the Koshare Naua, in the secrets of the case.

After the departure of the caciques, therefore, the same dead silence prevailed as before.
The tapop broke the silence by turning officially to the principal shaman and asking him,-- "Sa umo yaya, what do you hold concerning the demand of our children from Shyuamo ?" The Chayan raised his face, his eyes sparkled.