Occasionally, even before the full development of language, excited palavers attended by some hundreds would take place, or opposing tribes would gather for a fight.

"There, he is beginning with some more of his silly palaver!" Raskolnikoff growled to himself.

He rared back on his hind legs and made a stormy palaver; as near as I could judge he told his ghost-dancers they'd been cold-decked, but he expected 'em to take their medicine and grin, and, anyhow, it was a lesson to 'em.

After the usual tedious "palaver" and bargaining, the natives formally sold the required land.