There was nothing to excite laughter, and since the figures were slavish repetitions, it became monotonous.

Some of the spectators withdrew to their houses, and those who remained belonged to the cliffs, whence they had come to witness the rite, as a serious and even sacred duty.
While the dance of the Cuirana is in progress, two of the white painted clowns are standing outside of the big building, and at some distance from the new house of Yakka hanutsh, in earnest conversation.

Heat and exercise have partially effaced the paint, so that the features of Tyope Tihua, and of Zashue, the husband of Say, can be easily recognized.
"I tell you, satyumishe," asserts the latter, "you are mistaken, or words have been spoken to you that are not true.

This wife of mine is good.

She has nothing to do with evil, nor has she tampered with it.
You have done her wrong, Tyope, and that is not right." His features, already distorted by the paint, took on an expression of anger.
The other responded hastily, "And I tell you, Zashue Tihua, that I saw your wife sitting by the hearth with Shotaye,"-- his voice trembled at the mention of her name,--"and I heard when that mean, low aniehna"-- his eyes flashed, giving a terrible expression to his already monstrously disfigured countenance--"spoke to the yellow corn!" "Did you understand what she said ?" Zashue interjected.
"No, but can any one ask aught of the yellow corn but evil?
I know, too, that this shuatyam picked up the body of an owl on the mesa"-- he pointed to the southern heights--"and carried its feathers back to her foul hole in the rocks." "But you did not see Say with them ?" Her husband looked in the eyes of the other inquiringly, and at the same time threateningly.
"That is the truth, but why does she go with the witch, and for what purpose does that female skunk need owl's plumage, if not to harm the tribe?
She has done harm, too,"-- he stamped his foot angrily,--"she is the cause of our having no rain last summer.