The Flute of the Gods Part 22

To tell an Indian that the Sacred Four Ways means not anything to the greatest of all G.o.ds, is a thing of confusion, more especially so when told that a sacred three is the real combination by which entrance to the paradise of an after life is made beyond all question a thing of certainty.

To the adventurer of the 16th century dire mishaps were to be expected if the Faith was not thus clearly borne, and set plainly before the heathen. Let him reject it if he choose, and die the absolute death of body and soul for such rejection,--let the search for gold or jewel be postponed as may be, but the first duty under authority civil or ecclesiastic must be the duty to the faith in the One G.o.d and Him crucified:--it opened the portal in a G.o.d-fearing, orthodox manner to any traffic deemed of advantage to the adventurers who bore the faith, and the cross;--on the hilts of swords!

The visitors listened with ceremonial courtesy to the words of the padre--and heard of the glories of the great Castilian king, the chosen of G.o.d--the pure and undefiled, and, of the still greater monarch above the skies, served by this king and by all righteous people to all ends of the earth.

In reply to which G.o.dly disquisition, the spokesman of Na-im-be and Te-tzo-ge invited the followers of the True G.o.d to a feast where only strong men could come. The women of the dance in that feast were strong and were young. Four days would the dance and the feast last.

The padre who spoke for the high G.o.d could choose which of his men could enter the dance for that time.

The padre heard without special wonder, he had known many primitive people; but Don Diego was lost in amaze as the details were spelled clearly for his understanding.

"It is wors.h.i.+p of Pan driven out of Greek temples to find lodging in this wilderness!" and he crossed himself with persistence and energy, and marvelled at the quiet of Padre Vicente. Or, "it is the ancient devils of Babylon to which these heathen give wors.h.i.+p--Saint Dominec hear them! They would instruct their very G.o.ds in creation!--Blasphemy most d.a.m.nable!--Blasphemy against the Ghost!"

Whereupon he went in search of his secretary to make record of the abomination, and found that youth witnessing the pagan baptism by which Ysobel was made a daughter of her husband's clan--each way he turned he found primitive rites bewildering and endless! All work done was done in prayer to their false G.o.ds. From the blessing of the seed corn laid away in the husk, until the time when it was put in the earth,--and the first ear ready for the roasting fire--at each and every stage he was told of special ceremonies required,--and as with the corn, so with the human plant--at each distinctive stage in the growth of a man or woman child, open ceremonial thanks was given to their deities whose names were too depraved for any Christian man to remember.

Where the pious Senor Brancedori had expected a virgin field for a wondrous mission, he found an ancient province with ceremonies complicated as any of ancient Hebrew or Greek tradition. Each little toddler of the clan put forth a baby hand to touch the head of Ysobel in sign of welcome, and one woman came whose brow was marked with pinon gum--and he was told that the sign was that of maternity;--all who were to be mothers must wear a prayer symbol to the Maiden Mother of the G.o.d who was born of a dream in the shadow of the pinon tree!

"Do I myself dream while wide awake, or do I hear this thing?" he demanded of Jose, in sore distress to divide the false from the true, and impress the last on those well satisfied minds. "Is it miracles as well as sorcery their misled magicians make jugglery of? When did this thing happen of which the shameless wenches parade the symbol?"

Yahn asked of an aged Te-hua man the question, and the man squatted in the sun and began ceremoniously:

"_Han-na-di Set-en-dah-nh!_ It was in the ancient day when the people yet abode in the cliff dwellings of the high land. It was the time of the year when the stars danced for the snow, and as the time of the Maid-Mother came close, the sun hid his face a little more each day, and the longest night of all the nights in the year was the time of that birth of the G.o.d Po-se-yemo. The sun went away on the south trail and would not look on the earth until the G.o.d-child was born, for the Maid-Mother was much troubled, and the sun was sad because of her trouble. That is how it was, and each year the people remember that time, and make ready for the twilight trail if the G.o.d in the sun should not come again from the south,--but each time the sun G.o.d listens to the prayers and comes back and all are very glad.

_Han-na-di Set-en-dah-nh!_"

Maestro Diego seated himself in a disconsolate mood at this artifice of Satan thus to engraft heathen rubbish on the childish minds of the natives:--for that they did lean on that faith the mark of the pinon symbol was a witness before his eyes! It was a thing to dishearten even a true believer, and he feared much that Padre Vicente pa.s.sed over many signs of the devil wors.h.i.+p each hour--not realizing that it must be dug out, root and branch, ere the planting of the cross would mean aught but the Ways of the Four Winds to these brown builders of stone and mortar, and weavers of many clothes!

Juan Gonzalvo found him there disconsolate.

"Not any wondrous thing of the Blessed Twelve can you recite to the animals and win even a surprise," he lamented to this pious comrade in the cause.--"To tell them that the eye of their creator watches them from the skies is to bring only a retort that the great G.o.d has as many eyes as the stars--and sees through all of them at once! Their deceitful visions are such that even the miracles make naught of wonder in their darkened souls. They are not of doubting minds like to Thomas the tardy!--they accept all the records of the Faith as they would accept a good dinner--and then tell you that the fair victuals in the pot had been cooked by themselves time out of mind in a different, and more seasonable way! Everything but Satan himself do they believe, him they deny previous acquaintance with until told by me of his reality!--but in secret there is not any doubt that they do give him wors.h.i.+p since he of course inspires their devilish heresies.

Padre Vicente has the work of a saint facing him in this place, since only a miracle can make them Christian men!"

Gonzalvo was of the opinion that the good padre was disturbed over temporal things requiring prayer and thought. Between their visitors of the morning, discourse had been made of the fruitless quest of Capitan Coronado for the smile of the sun which became yellow metal in the earth. It was secret speech, for neither of the interpreters had disclosed it. The quick ear of Padre Vicente had caught the meaning.

Also the visitors from other villages were plainly here to see what action the Po-Ahtun-ho of Povi-whah was to take, and there were some who deemed him too youthful to be a leader--which the padre gave agreement to. Also it was clear to his reverence that the youthful magician was the guardian of the gold, and must in some way be bought or mastered.

While they talked, and weighed as might be the complications to be met, a messenger from the governor came to them, and touched them with a slender wand of office that they follow him. As they did so, Jose came to them, and said that at last it was plain the Cacique meant to see both red and white visitors in the kiva of the Po-Ahtun. No secret things could be spoken to him,--all must hear the talk with the strangers! Jose was to go, and Ka-yemo the war chief, every one who knew both Te-hua and Castilian words--every one was to go but the damsel Yahn Tsyn-deh.

The governor and the Ka-yemo appeared dressed in their most gorgeous robes of fur, feathers, and painted skins. Also Ka-yemo wore much of the wealth of his wife in sh.e.l.l beads about his neck.

Taking a timely hint, Don Ruy appeared in unusual magnificence. He carried the standard of Spain and walked beside the padre who bore the cross. Behind them came Chico the secretary bearing the embroidered vest and cap of Don Diego with which they made him grand when they discovered him on the way.

Half the Castilians marched in order in the rear and formed for guard at a respectful distance under Capitan Gonzalvo. Seeing that all was well, he mounted the steps to the roof, and was the last to descend into the sanctuary.

One Te-hua sentinel stood on guard for his people at the place of council, and the serene life of the village went on as if no mail clad men were within its walls, only the children who were small, and the boys who were curious, loitered close and wondered of what the men of the beards wove their armor, for the water bottles woven of reeds and plastered with gum of the pinon had that same glazed surface. Strange things must grow where these men grew!

In the circle of the council home it was an impressive line of men who faced each other in silence. Chico half in earnest, announced in a whisper to Don Ruy that the ladder of the entrance would be his choice of a seat;--so as to be nearest the outside world in case of trouble.

Shadowy it was in the great room where only the way of the sky gave light, and the only seat was that built around the wall--and to Don Ruy was like to pictures of the old Roman ruins. The walls were white, and there were lines and strange symbols in pale green, and in yellow:--the colors of the Summer People. An altar of stone was directly under the ladder, and the light from above fell on the terraced back of it--typifying the world of valley, and mesa, and highest level. A ceremonial bowl of red ware echoed this form on its four terraced sides. It held white and yellow pollen, and the sacred corn of four colors formed a cross with the bowl as a center;--all this was placed before the statue of a seated G.o.d carved from red stone. The arms were folded and the pose was serene--waiting! But as fragrant bark was tossed on the sacred fire below him,--and a flame awoke for a moment, the eyes reflected the light in a startling way--as though alive! Then the strangers saw that the eyes were of iridescent sh.e.l.l set in the carven stone,--and more strange than all was the fact that the G.o.d of the altar was a weeping G.o.d, and the tear under each eye was also of the strange sh.e.l.l mosaic. It was the Earth-Born G.o.d who had been driven out by the proud hearts of the Lost Others. Weeping, he waited the Sign in the Sky by which he was to return. His name meant Dew of Heaven--and the Dew and the Sun must work together for the best life of growing things, and of human things.

Among all the swart elderly faces it was an easy matter to pick the man who had given back to him the steed. The eyes of Don Ruy sought him eagerly, and more than ever wondered at the youth of him, and the countenance fairer than many a Castilian of their land. The other glimpses of him had been brief, and when kneeling by the horse, his face had been all but hidden.

He wore no ceremonial festive garb as did the others. The white robe of deerskin was folded about him, and he gave no heed to the different visitors who entered. His eyes were on the floor as though in meditation, and in silence he accepted the sacred smoke, and then glanced towards the place where the governor sat always when in council. After that one little look there was no longer silence. The padre, watching the impa.s.sive young face, observed that one glance was all that was required of command. And the governor of Povi-whah arose and spoke.

He told to the brothers and neighbors of the coming, and the kindly coming, of the Castilians to bring back in safety one Te-hua man who had been carried far south as a slave. The man of the grey robe was the priest of the Castilian G.o.d, and that G.o.d had sent him to say that all men must be brothers, with the G.o.d in the sky for a father. These new brothers brought good gifts and tokens from their king. The king said his children would also help fight the wild Apache and Navahu and Yutah in the day when they came to kill and take captives.

Smiles went over many faces in the circle. Nods of approval gave good hope for the Castilian cause.

Then the governor of Kah-po arose.

This coming of the strange brothers was good, he agreed. It was much for nothing. How many fields for corn would the Castilian brothers ask for such help in battle?

The padre lifted the cross, and stood up, and the Castilians knelt on the stone floor with heads low bowed.

"Of fields of mortal man we ask no more than the corn we eat--" he said--"but the great G.o.d decreed that each soul for salvation must be written by the priest in the great record. Baptism must they accept,--and new prayers to the true G.o.d must they learn. Out of the far land had the true G.o.d made the trail that the faith be carried to the Te-hua people. Under the cross he wished to give the sacrament of baptism."

The kneeling Castilians impressed the pagan men more than might have been hoped. They were strong--yet they were as bidden children under that Symbol. It was big medicine! Ka-yemo found his own head bowed lower and lower--the spell of the older days was working!--when he lifted his eyes, it was to see the brief glance of Tahn-te rest on him. He sat erect again as though a spoken command was in that look.

All this saw Don Ruy, and all this saw the padre, and his teeth locked close under his beard.

Many were the exchange of thought over faiths old and faiths new in the land, also of the ancient republics, the Pueblos, and the interest of the majestic ruler who was king of Spain and the Indies was made manifest by his subjects. Of many things did they speak until all the old men had spoken, and it was plain to be seen that the Castilians were not unwelcome. The winning courtesy of Don Ruy made many friends, and the wise brain of the padre made no mistakes. Yet of the one central cause of the quest not any one had spoken, and the silent Cacique had only designated by a glance or a motion of the hand who was to be the next spokesman. He was the youngest of all, and he waited to listen.

Then, when the smoke had been long, and silence had been long, Tahn-te the wearer of the white robe arose. For a s.p.a.ce he stood with folded arms wrapped in the mantle of high office, and quietly let his gaze rest on one after another of those in the circle, halting last at Ka-yemo whose glance fell under his own--and whose head bent as under accusation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TAHN-Te STEPPED FORWARD _Page 179_]

Tahn-te smiled, but it was not a glad smile--he had seen that the old magic of the gray robe was holding the war chief in thrall to the strangers.

Then Tahn-te stepped forward from the seat of council--and threw aside the white robe, and slender and nude as the Indian G.o.ds are nude but for the girdle, and the medicine pouch, he stood erect, looking for the first time direct and steadily into the eyes of Padre Vicente. The circle of the council room might have been an arena and only those two facing each other and measuring each other.

While one might count ten he stood thus silent, and Don Ruy could hear his own heart beat, and Chico clutched at the embroidered doublet of Don Diego, and wished for the sound of any man's voice.

Then Tahn-te smiled as the eyes of Padre Vicente wavered, as Ka-yemo's had wavered--the boy who had tamed serpents felt the strength of the hills with him. Always he felt strong when he stood alone!

From the medicine pouch he took the gift of the rosary, and held it aloft that all might see, and the silver Christ on it caught the light from the opening in the roof, and swung and circled like a thing alive.

"Senores"--he said in Spanish though slowly, as one little used to the speech--"one of those among you has done me the honor to send me a gift and a message. I was making prayers at that time,--I have not been free to return thanks until now in the council. I do so, and I speak in Spain's words as this is not a Te-hua matter. It is a gift from a Christian to a Pagan, and the message told me a king would be proud to wear this strand of carven beads. Senores:--I am no king, kings give royal bounties to each giver of a gift. I stand naked that you see with your own eyes how little I can accept,--since in return I can give not anything! Take back your kingly gift, Senor Priest:--I cannot exchange for it even--a soul!"

He stepped lightly as a panther of the hills across the open s.p.a.ce and let fall the beads into the hands of Padre Vicente.

"That you may save it for the king, Senor!" he said gently, and bowing with more of grace than a courtier who does homage, he returned to his place.

Padre Vicente turned gray white under the tan. Don Diego crossed himself and muttered a prayer. Juan Gonzalvo uttered an expletive and half smothered it in a gasp as the face of Tahn-te caught the light for one instant.

"Blood of Christ!"--he whispered--"look at his eyes--his eyes!"

Don Ruy caught the arm of the man and pressed it for warning to silence. When he turned a more composed face to the circle, the secretary was looking at him and there was something like terror in the face of the lad. Each knew the thought of the other--each remembered the words of Juan Gonzalvo at Ah-ko,--also the basket of the sacred first fruit at the portal under the dove cote--also the blue eyes of the Greek--blue with lashes so long and so heavy that black might be their color. The pagan priest would need all the help of his G.o.ds if Juan Gonzalvo caught this thought of theirs!

Padre Vicente recovered himself, kissed the crucifix and slipped it within his robe.

"The words of this man are the words Satan is clever in coining when the false G.o.ds speak and reject the true," he stated quietly. "My children, we must not hold this against the weak human brother.

The devils of necromancy and sorcery are stubborn--but ere this the stubbornness has been broken, and the saints have rejoiced! It is plain that devilish arts could not prosper where the Image remained--hence it has been given back! Make no mistake my children, where the word of G.o.d, and the Image rest,--there the pagan powers must ever grow weak. Thanks be that this is so! Remember it--all of you when you pray!"