these braves," I said. All of us were standing now. "Of allthe Orbiwah in this world it is such as these who could hope tosurvive under the conditions you wish to establish. The Orbiwah _you_describe would starve amid a thousand buffalo, they would fall fromtheir horses, they would flee in battle. Take away the protection ofthe white chiefs and they would die."
The chief of the tribe of Kornesh curled his lips in a sneer. "Theprotection given by the white chiefs is the protection of death. Theydo not care what happens to the Orbiwah. I have seen it with my owneyes."
"You're right," I said promptly. "The Orbiwah has been badly treatedtoo long. I shall return to the Great White Chief and tell him this:unless the life of the Orbiwah is made good, unless he has fineshelter, plenty of food, warm clothes for his back and the right to beas other men, you will return and force the white man from this land.It will take much time, but it shall come to pass. _I_ have spoken."
Doubt flickered in his eyes. "Perhaps your words are empty. How do Iknow they are true?"
"When twenty summers have passed," I said, "come back again. Look uponthe Orbiwah and learn if they still suffer want and privation. Iftheir life is not better for what has happened today, then you neednever trust the white man again."
For a long moment he stood stiff as steel, staring into my eyes. Thenhis hand shot up, palm out, in a gesture of farewell, and he turnedand disappeared into the spaceship.
* * * * *
I got a barrage of questions then. I held up a hand to quiet myfriends. "Some other time, gentlemen. I've got to get to Washingtonjust as fast as a jet plane can get me there."
"If it's that urgent," Luke said, "call him on the phone and reversethe charges."
I scowled at him. "Call who?"
"The President. Isn't he the reason you're in such a hurry?"
"No! I've got to get to bed."
"Bed? If you're that tired--"
"Who said anything about being tired?" I demanded. "Being tired hasnothing to do with it."
"Then what--"
"It seems," I said, "there's a black lace nightgown...."
* * * * *
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