The three magic-makers returned, chanting softly, as magic-makers
should. Faint and far across the desert sounded the intriguing rhythm
long before the three dark faces were caught by the firelight. When
they finally appeared, Jonas was bearing an eagle's feather.
"Miss Diana," he said solemnly, "will you give me one of your long
hairs?"
Quite as solemnly, Diana plucked a long chestnut spear and Jonas
wrapped it round the stem of the feather. Then he joined the other two
at the water hole. Enoch and Diana looked at each other with a smile.
"Do you think it will work, Diana?" asked Enoch.
"Eagle feather magic is strong magic," replied Diana. "I shall go to
sleep believing in it. Good night, Enoch."
"Good night, Diana."
Wee-tah left them after breakfast, cantering away briskly on his pony,
his long hair blowing, Na-che and Jonas shouting laughingly after him.
It was a brisk, clear morning, with ribbons of mist blowing across the
distant ranges. By noon, their way was leading through scattered
growths of stunted cedar and juniper with an occasional gnarled,
undersized oak in which grew mistletoe thick-hung with ivory berries.
Bear grass and bunch grass dotted the sand. Orioles and robins sang as
they foraged for the blue cedar berry.
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