Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

What are they doing?

It's a game.

They stand with a big stick, see how to lay the long cord, and where to stand the little sticks.

Why do they do it here?

If my father came down from the mountains, he would see how it is.

The deer and elk stay wide of the valley now.

To hunt them, we must follow west where K'uu-ch'ish hunts, or east where there are Pima.

And fight our neighbors in places sacred to them.

All for fear of a few tents at the river.

Pionsenay, what did you hunt?

We can't eat that.

I shouldn't see the Mimbreños of the plains where I go, but now I have.

I saw one of these men hunted and killed for taking a deer, from where he shouldn't be.

We saw him killed, beneath us, over a deer.

My family is well provided for in the high places. We aren't hungry.

We don't live in fear.

Pionsenay grew impatient watching the white-eyes on the plains. Now he has brought them into my home.

Do you see this?!

This is what I brought!

They're no more danger to you than the ones who lost them at the river.

The men are gone, I see that. But where they've been their sons will follow.

And when they're able, the sons will hunt after you.

And they'll hunt after all the people, not knowing which of us is you.

It'll be the same for them, as well as their sons.

But they'll not find me asleep in the mountains like my father, who was once a great war-chief, but who's grown old.

Then you will leave here.

Yes, I leave this place where the people are too frightened to sing for me.

This, too, was in my dream.

You will go and wait for the white-eyes on the plain and you will not sleep.

You who've made these people your enemy.

You'll fight them for as long as you're able, and still they will come.

And when you wish to hide, the high places will no longer hide you.

Then you'll see the white-eyes I see, and you'll know why I don't sing for your victory today.

Now they can choose who are free to go as they will.

I have no more to tell them.

I take this, so it won't disturb the sleep of an old man.

Follow it out some. See if they stay grouped, or if any cut back.