George took a number of photographs, including several of Huk as he sat
talking with Sidney. No matter what happened he would have this record
as Sidney would have that he was taking down on the typewriter.
Next he showed them a pair of binoculars, teaching them how to look
through them. They exclaimed and Good Fox said, "With this we could see
our enemies before they see us."
"You have enemies?" George asked.
"The Apache," Good Fox said fiercely.
George handed him the binoculars. "It is yours to use against the
Apache."
Solemnly the young chief answered, "The man with white skin is thanked.
The red man gives in return his atlatl and lances." He held out his
throwing stick and unslung his quiver of lances. George accepted them
with thanks; they would be museum pieces.
Finally George showed them a rifle. He looked about for game and after
some searching saw a rabbit sitting on a mound in the excavations. As
he took aim Good Fox asked, "You would hunt it with your stick?"
George nodded.
"This cannot be done from here," stated one warrior.
George squeezed the trigger. Instantaneously with the explosion of the
shell the rabbit jumped high and then came down, limp and dead. The
Indians yelled with fright and ran off in all directions. Huk jumped up
from the table. Then all stopped and cautiously returned. One went to
the rabbit and picked it up, bringing it back. All, including Huk who
left the table, stared with fright at it and at the rifle.
Moon Water expressed their opinion of it. "The thunder of the killing
stick is evil."
"Moon Water speaks the truth," said Huk.
"It would make hunting easy," said Good Fox, "but we do not want it even
if given to us."
He drew back from the rifle, and the others edged away from it.
George put it down.
Sidney held up a sheaf of papers. "I've got it all, George," he said
exultantly in English, "right here! I asked Huk if they can stay with us
in our time, at least for a while. We can study them more, maybe even
take them back to show the world."
"What did he say?"
"He didn't have a chance to reply when you shot the rifle."
George put it formally to the Indians, addressing Huk, Good Fox, Moon
Water and the rest. "You have seen something of the modern world. We
would like you to stay in it if it is your wish. I don't know how long
you could stay in Huk's vision, but if you can remain here permanently
and not go back to your time and--well, not being alive there any
more--we hope you will consider this."
Huk replied, "It is possible that we could stay in your time, at least
as long as my vision lasts, which might be for as long as I lived." He
glanced at Good Fox.
The young chief in turn looked at Moon Water. Her gaze went to the
station wagon, to the TV, then up at the sky where the plane had
appeared, at the rifle, the camera, the thermos, and all else of the
white man. She seemed to weigh their values and disadvantages, looking
dubious and doubtful.
Good Fox announced, "We will hold a council about it. As is our custom,
all have words to say about such a thing."
Abruptly he led his people away, into the excavations and over a slight
rise of ground, behind which they disappeared.