As for the rain-makers, they carried the sympathies of the people
along with them, and not without reason. With the following arguments
they were all acquainted, and in order to understand their force,
we must place ourselves in their position, and believe, as they do,
that all medicines act by a mysterious charm. The term for cure
may be translated "charm" (`alaha').
MEDICAL DOCTOR. Hail, friend! How very many medicines you have about you
this morning! Why, you have every medicine in the country here.
RAIN DOCTOR. Very true, my friend; and I ought; for the whole country
needs the rain which I am making.
M. D. So you really believe that you can command the clouds?
I think that can be done by God alone.
R. D. We both believe the very same thing. It is God that makes the rain,
but I pray to him by means of these medicines, and, the rain coming,
of course it is then mine. It was I who made it for the Bakwains
for many years, when they were at Shokuane; through my wisdom, too,
their women became fat and shining.
