earlier day, when men like this made a nation out of a wilderness.He had a feeling they could do it again, in spite of the overwhelming
power of the Star Lords. And if they couldn't, they would go down
fighting like wildcats to the last.The Chiefs were talking among themselves. Twist knew some of them,
leaders of the Iowas, the Michigans, the Arkansas, the Mississippis.
Others they could guess at, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana. The
two Missouri hunters were as excited as hounds before a hunt. Twist
said there had never been a council this big in his memory. It would
go on until the issue was decided, the men staying under cover in the
ruins, the horses hidden in the surrounding woods.      

Price realized suddenly that the assembled chiefs were all looking
at him with an intense and largely hostile interest. Sawyer's news
seemed to have upset them badly. The Chief of the Michigans, a huge
black-bearded man with an enormous voice, bellowed suddenly for
silence. In seconds the place was absolutely quiet, except for the
shuffle of men closing in to see and hear a little better."Sawyer of the Missouris has something to tell you," shouted Michigan.
"You listen hard. Because what he's got to say will make the difference
whether we fight or hold our peace."An astounded and angry roar broke out. Michigan jumped up on a
makeshift stand and cursed them till they fell quiet."Do your howling afterward," he said. "This isn't just a whim on
Sawyer's part. Something's happened. Shut up and listen."Now they were alarmed and uneasy. They watched Sawyer climb the stand,
their faces dark-bronze in the smoky light, their eyes glistening.Sawyer said, "Twist--come up here."Twist pushed his way to the stand and got on it. Burr moved closer to
Price, his hand curled lightly around the haft of the knife in his belt.Sawyer said, "Tell them."Perfectly at ease, aware of his importance but not impressed by it,
Twist told the story of the landing of Price's plane in the Forbidden
Belt, and what had been done with both of them afterward. He told only
the simple facts, scrupulously avoiding any attempt to incite his
listeners for or against Price.The simple facts were enough. They heard them, the men of the Great
Lakes and the southern bayous, the plains riders and the hillmen and
hunters and farmers, and their reactions were various and wonderful
after the first shock of incredulous amazement. Twist had to stop to
let the tumult die down, and when he could make himself heard again he
said,"Yes, it was just what I said, a plane, and I flew in it. Not one of
those whistling fliers, but a plane--so." He made a graphic pantomime
with his hands and a remarkably accurate motor sound. "Now I guess

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