the audience responded as to some inner compulsion.

To that imperious, pulsing drum beat, into the firelight

strode the powerful arrogant Kiowas with bodies black

and red, crowned with high-crested feathered helmets, a

vibrant whirling fast-stepping mass of brilliant color-

of bells and dancing feathers.

Beside the leading dancer walked Tsa Toke - drumming.

There was a scarcely perceptible hesitancy in the drum

beat, a slight lift of the shoulders of the leading dancer as

a ripple slipped down his body to the earth; picking up

that last drum beat, the dancer and the drum became as

one. To the rolling of the drum the Kiowas danced as

as had the Kiowas in the past. The war dance rhythm

reverberated physically and emotionally against all

within range of its message.

L.V.N.D.

xiv