Usually lie in one direction, and your smoke goes in another.
God alone can command the clouds. Only try and wait patiently;
God will give us rain without your medicines.
R. D. Mahala-ma-kapa-a-a!! Well, I always thought white men were wise
till this morning. Who ever thought of making trial of starvation?
Is death pleasant, then?
M. D. Could you make it rain on one spot and not on another?
R. D. I wouldn't think of trying. I like to see the whole country green,
and all the people glad; the women clapping their hands,
and giving me their ornaments for thankfulness, and lullilooing for joy.
M. D. I think you deceive both them and yourself.
R. D. Well, then, there is a pair of us (meaning both are rogues).
The above is only a specimen of their way of reasoning, in which,
when the language is well understood, they are perceived to be
remarkably acute. These arguments are generally known,
and I never succeeded in convincing a single individual of their fallacy,
though I tried to do so in every way I could think of. Their faith
in medicines as charms is unbounded. The general effect of argument
is to produce the impression that you are not anxious for rain at all;
and it is very undesirable to allow the idea to spread
that you do not take a generous interest in their welfare.
An angry opponent of rain-making in a tribe would be looked upon
as were some Greek merchants in England during the Russian war.
