Neju stood, head bowed until silence came. "I cannot talk to the Gods," he said. "I am no Chieftain. I am not worthy to talk to Gods." "We prayed too," a female said. "We all prayed with you. And still they did not answer." Neju smiled twistedly. "We do not know how to pray. Or the Gods do not know how to listen." The female said, "They came long ago. Perhaps they have forgotten us." Silence fell. Neju looked toward the dead Chieftain. "How can I lead you, unless They make a sign?" * * * * * Morning. A _corlieu_ dropped into the clearing to beg for food. A fire sputtered wetly. The mourners came back from the Chieftain's grave (only they knew its location, and the autumn leaves hid the spot). The hunters slowly came to Neju. They stood awkwardly in a circle around him. Finally one spoke. "We talked among ourselves, last night, after you went away." "Yes?" Neju said. The native shifted on his feet. "You say we must destroy the demons. As you say, we cannot run, only to run again and again." "The Old Gods did not make a sign to me," Neju said wearily. "The Father said only to pray. He did not say that They would answer." Neju considered this gravely. "We must give the god-men heart," the native continued. "They must take courage from us. Together with the god-men, we can defeat the demons. If the Old Gods do not help us, the god-men must." Neju still listened; only his arms moved, restlessly. "First we must show the god-men that _we_ are not afraid of demons." Neju waited. "All of us, children, females, the old, all, must go toward their village, beating drums, crying encouragement. We must show no fear. The god-men will take heart." Neju stirred. "They will see that we are not afraid, and they will lose _their_ fear. Together we will turn on the evil demons and destroy them. And you must lead us." "Leave me," Neju said. "I must think about it." * * * * * Neju stood for the hour preceding the heat. The sun moved to a position directly overhead. Then he arose stiffly. "People!" he called. The villagers stopped their work. They turned to face him. "Come to me!" he called. They came. "You have heard the plan of the hunters?" he asked when they were quiet. One by one they nodded their heads. "And you are not afraid?" They were silent. Finally, one said, "We are afraid. But we will do what must be done." "... Very well," Neju said. "If it is what you wish, I will lead you." "We only do what we must," one said. Neju looked them over carefully. "We will eat, and then we will leave. We will travel to the village of the god-men. Each of you will bring an instrument upon which to make noise to frighten the demons and hearten the god-men." They nodded, silently, and began to drift away. Neju named three hunters to remain with him.