In the present instance Say could not resort to such a summary expedient.

It was therefore the duty of Shotaye, who was better informed on institutions and customs, to direct her sick friend to a shaman.

But Shotaye was not on good terms with the official wizards, particularly the Chayani, those who cured, and still less with the highest religious powers, the Yaya.

It suited her pride to attempt the experiment at her own risk, conscious all the while that it was dangerous,--dangerous for herself, as well as for her patient.

For it entailed performances which only the shaman can undertake, and should they be detected, the very crime of sorcery, against which their experiments were directed, would be charged against them.
Shotaye had still another reason for not encouraging her friend to speak to the higher chayani.