The Black Phantom Part 12

The Patocos stood about in a spell-bound group.

"If this youth speaks truly, why has not the rain fallen here?" one asked. "Our yuca fields are parched and the animals of the forest are disappearing. Soon we will die of starvation."

"I have spoken the truth," Agoo persisted. Then, pointing to the sky with both hands, he begged "Tumwah, send the rain-clouds here too. They do not believe that the Black Phantom has been slain. Why, see," he exclaimed suddenly, pointing to the East "even now the sky is overcast where the sun rises and soon the rain will fall upon you. Look, Oomah!

They can ask for no other proof. Tumwah has come to save you."

Just then shouts from the forest announced the coming of the hunters and before long the excited youths had filed into the village and joined the circle.

"Now tell us what you found," the headman demanded. "Let your voice be clear and loud so that all may hear and understand. Did you find evidence that the first captive spoke the truth? His companion too says strange things. Either the one is a great hunter who has fulfilled a sacred mission, or both are spies and shall be dealt with before the setting of another sun."

One of the youths who had just returned stepped into the circle.

"These many days we searched the forest and the sandbars, but found nothing," he said impressively. "So we returned."

A hush had fallen upon all. Even the women and children peeping out of the palm-leaf hovels stopped their chatter and looked with wide-open eyes.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Tumwah, send the rain-clouds here"]

"Build the fires!" the headman ordered. "I suspected treachery from the very beginning."

"Wait!" the hunter, continued. "This morning as we rounded the bend in the river where the banks are set close together and where the water roars and boils in its haste to pa.s.s the terrible place so it may join the peaceful stretches below, Tupi's sharp eyes saw the form of a vulture in the sky. We watched the evil bird and soon discovered other black specks circling above the gorge. It was there we found the proof, on a rock in the midst of the raging water; a black tiger of such great size that it could be none other than the Black Phantom. The broken shaft of an arrow was still in its shoulder. We could not swim to the rock; no creature of earth could conquer that angry flood. But there it is so that all may see yet none may reach except only the loathsome vultures."

That night there was a feast in the Patocos' village. Turtles had been brought from the corrals and the women made fresh ca.s.sava bread. And long into the night the sound of the celebration rang through the black forest as war drums boomed and the voices of singers chanted the praises of the mighty hunter who was among them.

Not until the sharp report of thunder followed by a drenching rain drove the revellers to shelter did the festivities end.

"Nechi shall go with me," Oomah said the next morning as he prepared to depart. "Nechi, who found me dying and whose medicine drove away the fever. And send one of your hunters also to select a wife from among the Cantanas. It is my wish that there be blood relationship between us.

Then there will be peace between the Patocos and Cantanas. No more fighting, no more killing. I speak as headman of my people."

The older men drew together for a serious discussion that ended in granting Oomah's request, and Tupi was selected to go back to the encampment on the sandbar to be an honored guest and to select a wife.

After that came the leave taking; then the party started on its journey.

The three men, carrying only their bows and arrows, filed into the forest and Nechi, carrying a heavy basket of food trotted happily after them.