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The Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three Acts, a play by Mary Hunter Austin |
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Act 2 |
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_ Act Second SCENE.--_The campody of Sagharawite, three months later, near the new wickiup of the Arrow-Maker. At the right, the house of_ RAIN WIND, _and behind all a spring under a clump of dwarf oaks. A little trail runs between stones to connect the Arrow-Maker with the rest of the campody, and beyond it the valley rises gently to the Sierra foothills, brooding under the spring haze. A little to the fore of_ SIMWA'S _house lies a great heap of blankets, baskets, and camp utensils, displayed to the best advantage, the wedding dower of the Chief's daughter. By her father's house_ BRIGHT WATER _is being dressed for bridal by her young companions. They braid her hair, paint her face, tie her moccasins, and arrange her beads over the robe of white doeskin; they laugh as they work and are happily important as is the custom of bridesmaids. The older women are winnowing grain and grinding at the metate._ _At the left and front_, SIMWA, TAVWOTS, _and others are gambling with dice made of halves of black-walnut hulls, filled with pitch; the number indicated by bits of shell embedded in the pitch. They are shaken in a small basket and turned out on a basket plaque._ _The older men look on, smoking._ TAVWOTS _is broad-faced and merry, and does not neglect to ogle the girls at intervals, which causes them to giggle and hide their heads in their blankets. The men have on their holiday dress, especially the younger companions of_ SIMWA. TAVWOTS (_Throwing._) Five! SIMWA (_Throwing._) And five again! INDIANS Hi! Hi! TAVWOTS Four! SIMWA Seven! (_Exclamations._) SEEGOOCHE (_Bringing a blanket._) Here, let us spread the blanket where the newly married pair shall sit when first my daughter comes to her husband's house. (_The women assist her, spreading it in front of_ SIMWA'S _house._) TIAWA And this time next year, may you be a grandmother. SEEGOOCHE I pray so. To-morrow I shall go to the Chisera and get a charm to make it sure. WACOBA Does not the Chisera come to the wedding? SEEGOOCHE I wished it so, but Simwa has no faith in magic medicine. He thinks we show her too much respect because of her mumblings and wavings of arms. WACOBA It would have been neighborly to invite her. TIAWA I should be afraid lest some mischief came of this neglect. SEEGOOCHE So am I; but Simwa would not have her asked. (_She passes to her own hut and brings out grain and pine nuts, with which the other women fill their ceremonial baskets._) TIAWA No doubt Simwa feels that the gods have done so much for him that he can afford to dispense with an advocate. HAIWAI (_Who has approached unnoticed._) Small wonder he thinks so when you remember how he brought our men back scatheless with the spoil of Castac. Seegooche, I bring the best of my share to grace your daughter's wedding. (_Offers basket._) SEEGOOCHE (_Taking it and handing it about._) My thanks to you. (_Noticing the papoose which she carries strapped in a basket at her back._) And who is this that comes to my house uninvited? HAIWAI Nay, but he came to mine but five days since; and already he grips like a man! (_Showing him about proudly._) TIAWA Hey, little warrior! TUIYO Ah, let me have him, Haiwai! I will hold him carefully. (_Still seated, she reaches up her arms for the child and coos over it._) BRIGHT WATER Let me! (_Takes the basket from_ TUIYO _and rocks the basket, crooning._) Hey, little dove, hush, little dove, WHITE FLOWER Chief's daughter, do you think you will be able to do so well by your husband? (BRIGHT WATER _gives back the child to its mother in great confusion_.) SEEGOOCHE Do not plague her. (_The women return to their work._) It is the way with maids, the nearer they are to mothering the less they wish to hear of it. TIAWA Still I would see the Chisera if I were you. It is a pity she is not invited. TUIYO (_Painting_ BRIGHT WATER.) Tell me, Seegooche, do I put the white on her cheeks too, or only on the forehead. SEEGOOCHE (_Alarmed._) No, no white at all, not on her wedding day. It is an evil omen. TUIYO (_Wiping it off hastily._) Then I will take it off again. All the misfortune be on my head. BRIGHT WATER Never fear, mother, I am so defended by happiness no evil could get near me. WHITE FLOWER Besides, the bride of Simwa need fear no omens. The luck of her husband will protect her. TUIYO (_With a final touch._) There, come to the spring and see how lovely you are. (_The girls all rise._) TAVWOTS That's bad medicine you make for us unmarried men. BRIGHT WATER (_Standing forth in her bridal array._) Is it so bad, Simwa? (SIMWA _answers with his eyes_.) TAVWOTS Already he is speechless, and I have staked him my collar of elks' teeth as a charm against it. BRIGHT WATER Tavwots, you have eaten meadowlarks' tongues. If you had a wife, you would keep her in a gambling basket. (_At the spring._) Now I need only flowers for my hair. Let us go get them. (_The girls go out._) TAVWOTS (_Throwing down his collar of elks' teeth._) By the Bear, Simwa, I do not know how it is you persuade the gods to be always on your side. First you are made war leader, then you marry the Chief's daughter, and now you have my collar of elks' teeth to top all. SIMWA (_Gathering up the stakes._) Will you take a chance to have it back again? TAVWOTS I would, if I had anything to stake you; but my luck has left me little but my shirt. SIMWA I will play you for that. TAVWOTS Not until after the wedding. (_Rises._) SIMWA As you like. Your shirt against the collar. Do you play, friends? FIRST INDIAN Not I. YAVI Nor I. The luck is all to Simwa. (_All rise._) TAVWOTS Yes. One would think he had been courting the Chisera. SIMWA (_Who has risen, turning sharply._) How? TAVWOTS I said I could not guess how you manage to be always winning, unless you have made love to the Chisera, and she has persuaded the gods for you. (_Slapping him on the back._) Why, this is the first time you were ever accused of love-making and looked sourly over it! SIMWA (_Smirking._) No fault of mine if the women like a good figure. TAVWOTS No advantage either from this time henceforward. Here comes Chief Rain Wind to marry you to his daughter. CHIEF (_Issuing from his wickiup in full holiday dress, blanketed._) Where is she? SEEGOOCHE She gathers flowers with her young companions. She comes presently. CHIEF Bid the married women prepare to bless the bridal. Are the guests all here? SEEGOOCHE Choco and the others who went out to hunt early this morning have not yet returned. CHIEF I would speak with them when they come. And Padahoon? TAVWOTS I do not know, unless he visits the Chisera. SIMWA (_Startled._) Padahoon? TAVWOTS So often does he go to her house, if he did not have a wife already, I should think he had an eye to her. The best cut of my next kill against my shirt, Simwa, that he goes to find ways to make good against you the loss of the leadership. SIMWA (_Complacently._) Padahoon cannot forgive me the victory at Castac. TAVWOTS Well, if the Tecuya Creek tribes keep up their quarreling, we are all likely to wish you had not killed off so many of their fighting men. SIMWA I shall deal with the Tecuyas as I did with Castac. TAVWOTS The gods were with you. Next time Padahoon may win the Chisera to be on his side. SIMWA (_Suspiciously._) What do you mean? Am I not war leader of Sagharawite? TAVWOTS So long as we and the gods approve you. But if I were the gods, and the Chisera came dancing before me-- CHIEF Tavwots, your wit misleads you. The Chisera is not a subject for jest or the favor of men; she is an advocate with the gods for us. TAVWOTS Well, the gods have a handsome advocate. I should give her anything she asked. (_Looking off._) See, bridegroom, the girls are dancing, and you not with them! (SIMWA _and several of the younger men go out._) CHIEF (_Detaining_ TAVWOTS.) Tavwots, what do you know of this Tecuya Creek matter? TAVWOTS More than I like to spoil a feast-day with. CHIEF Nevertheless, tell it. TAVWOTS They have forbidden all the campodies east of us from fishing in the river. Also they watch all the trails toward Toorape and take toll of passers. CHIEF On what grounds? TAVWOTS None, I think, except that they are able. A bowman of Tehachappi inquired of me how many fell at Castac, and I, thinking to glorify the tribe,--I told him. CHIEF What said he to that? TAVWOTS What I should have expected. He grinned upon me like a sick coyote and said, “They are poor allies, the dead.” INDIANS Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! CHIEF Here are the hunters. They will know if there is mischief stirring. (_Enter from the left_, CHOCO, PAMAQUASH, _and others, carrying game._) TAVWOTS And with the Arrow-Maker's own luck! CHOCO So far as the quarry goes. CHIEF But not for the hunters--? CHOCO (_To him._) Send the younger men away. I have a word for you. CHIEF You, Fleet-Foot, Yavi, all of you--carry the game to the women and help them dress it for the feast. (_The young men take up the game and go out, leaving_ CHOCO, TAVWOTS, _and the Old Men with the_ CHIEF.) Let us hear your word, Choco. CHOCO (_Taking a long arrow from under his blanket._) What make you of that? CHIEF (_Examining it._) Tecuya Creek, surely. OLD MEN (_Handing it about._) Tecuya--Tecuya. CHIEF Where did you find it? CHOCO Where I like least to see it--in the body of a friend. MEN Ah--a--a--ah! CHIEF What friend? CHOCO Winnedumah. He went out to the hunt yesterday and was to have joined us this morning at Deer Leap. I found him by the crossing of the trails, with that through him. CHIEF Bad business. What say you it means? CHOCO That the Tecuyas think we dare not avenge it. CHIEF Dare not! Simwa must hear of this, but not on his wedding day. To-morrow we will take counsel. I would I might have a word with Padahoon. TAVWOTS He is there on the _barranca_; I will call him. Oh--ee, Padahoon! PADAHOON (_Appearing on the barranca._) What now? (_Ironically._) Can not the Arrow-Maker so much as take a wife without calling all the tribes to witness? (_Coming down the barranca, noting their gravity._) What has happened? Is the Council called? CHIEF For to-morrow. In the mean time there is this. (_Handing up the arrow._) PADAHOON (_Standing halfway down the bank as he examines it._) An arrow of Tecuya. Blood? Blood of Sagharawite? TAVWOTS Of Winnedumah. PADAHOON (_Blazing forth._) By the Bear that fathered us! It is likely to prove an open wound in the honor of Sagharawite. Not ten sleeps have passed since the last of our fighting men returned from the killing of our blood brothers, and already we have a witness to our folly! The Tecuyas are three to one of us. PAMAQUASH But the luck of Simwa is more than three times that of Tecuya. PADAHOON The fortunes of Simwa! What are they but the accidents of time and weather. A landslip on the trail, a rainstorm that wetted their bowstrings and left ours dry. The damp has slacked your wits, Rain Wind, that you are not able to distinguish between the Arrow-Maker and his luck. CHIEF The witness of the gods in his favor. PADAHOON The gods are not always so attentive. Where was the luck of the Arrow-Maker that it has not saved us from this? (_Shaking the arrow as he descends._) Show me something which we owe to Simwa if you would have me trust in him. CHIEF I will show you the pit of your own heart, Padahoon, and the adder that bites at the root of it. You are jealous of the fame and the office of Simwa, but you shall not sink your venom in the minds of the Fighting Men. PADAHOON I would I could sting them to understand that if Tecuya comes against us, they will not trust so much to luck as to war craft. CHIEF Understand yourself that whatever comes of this business of Tecuya, Simwa is still war leader. You are too old a man, Padahoon, to be told that whoever lessens the credit of the war leader saps at the strength of Sagharawite. PADAHOON Aye, I am an old man and in my dotage when I seek to set years of good faith and experience against the fortunate moments of a fool. CHIEF The Chief has spoken. No more of this until the Council. In the mean time, not a word to the women. It is an ill omen for a feast. (_He goes out, followed by all but_ TAVWOTS, CHOCO, PAMAQUASH, _and_ PADAHOON.) TAVWOTS (_Laying his hand on the shoulder of_ PADAHOON.) By the Bear, Padahoon, I have been on your side in this matter heretofore, but now I think the Chief is right. It is an ill business setting men against the war leader in time of danger. PADAHOON You too, Tavwots--you have looked at the lure of the Arrow-Maker's luck and do not see the snare which his want of wit spreads for your feet? TAVWOTS (_Uncertainly._) But if the fortune of Simwa is not his own, whence is it? PADAHOON Tell me, Tavwots, when another man seeks favor from the gods, by whom does it come? TAVWOTS By the Chisera. But what-- PADAHOON On the morning of the election, when I went from the Chief to advise the Chisera, I met Simwa by her hut. PAMAQUASH I also met him when I came back from Leaping Water to bring word to the women--he said he had been gathering eagles' feathers for his arrows. PADAHOON So he said to me. Feathers for arrows when every man had his quiver full at his back! TAVWOTS But Simwa puts no faith in magic medicine. Why, he has not even asked the Chisera to his wedding! PADAHOON No, not even though the Chief's daughter urged it. (_A pause full of significance._) TAVWOTS No, no! Padahoon! Unless the Chisera owned to it herself, I would not believe it. The Chief is right. The wound of your jealousy festers and corrupts your tongue. (_Turning his back on_ PADAHOON _he claps_ PAMAQUASH _on the shoulder._) Come and dance! CHOCO (_Gathering his blanket around him._) Even if the Chisera owned it, I would not believe it. (_The men move in the direction of the merrymaking and are met by the younger people, laughing and shouting for_ SIMWA. PADAHOON _watches them bitterly for a while, and, revolving many things, draws his blanket up and departs in the direction of the_ CHISERA'S _hut._) PAMAQUASH Come, Arrow-Maker, a speech for your bridal. (_Laughter and approval._) SIMWA (_Drunk with popularity._) The war leader loves deeds rather than talking. TAVWOTS We have seen what your fighting is like. Give us a speech. SIMWA Friends and tribesmen, the fortune of Simwa is Simwa. Does the Bear take weapons against the woodchuck, and shall the sons of the Bear make charms against their enemies? The spoil of Castac is in our camp (_cheers_) and our young men hunt within their borders. (_Applause._) If any of the tribes inquire where are the fullest harvests, the fattest deer, the prettiest maidens (_he flings his blanket about_ BRIGHT WATER), bid him look for the land of Simwa the Arrow-Maker. (_Shouts and laughter._) YOUNG MEN Come, now, a dance, a dance! Tavwots, dance for us! (_The cries increasing_, TAVWOTS _is pushed forward to dance, others cry for_ PAMAQUASH _and_ YAVI, _who join_ TAVWOTS, _laughing, to dance the blanket dance, all the others singing and keeping time with swaying bodies. The girls hover about the dancers, and as at certain points in the dance the Young Men attempt to cast their blankets about the heads of the girls, they duck and squeal. Finally, amid much laughter, each dancer captures a girl, rubbing his cheek against hers, the Indian equivalent of a kiss. With great merriment the crowd moves off in the direction of the mesa, disclosing_ PADAHOON _and the_ CHISERA, _who have come up unobserved_.) PADAHOON Come this way, Chisera. The girls are out on the _mesa_, dancing with the bride, and the women are grinding at the metate for the marriage feast. THE CHISERA But where is Simwa? PADAHOON With the bride, no doubt. Here is his wickiup, and here the marriage dower beside it. THE CHISERA All this? PADAHOON Never so many gifts went to a wedding in Sagharawite. Every woman whose man came back safe from the war gave a basket or a blanket, and Simwa gave all of his share of the spoil of Castac. THE CHISERA And that, I doubt not, is bitter for you to see, Padahoon. PADAHOON Why, as to that, Chisera, it is good to see spoil of our foes in the camp; but the fighting men of Castac were our blood brothers. See, here is the blanket where the newly married pair shall sit to receive the blessings of the fruitful women. THE CHISERA (_Bitterly._) But not the blessing of the Chisera. Never before, in my time, has there been a bride of Sagharawite but sent to ask my blessing. PADAHOON Aye, but Simwa does not believe in charms and spells. (_The_ CHISERA _seems about to break out angrily, but restrains herself._ PADAHOON _watches her narrowly as he speaks._) Look, Chisera! Is not the bride fair? Fit to set a man beside himself with desiring? THE CHISERA She is but a child. Her breasts are scarcely grown. No fit mate for a war leader. PADAHOON (_Watching her._) But a man so well furnished with wisdom need not look for it in a wife. Is it not so, Chisera? THE CHISERA Padahoon, why do you tell me this? PADAHOON (_With the appearance of candor._) As often as I came to your house to get medicine, you asked me for news of the campody, and seemed best pleased with news of Simwa, the war leader; and with reason, since he has become the most notable man of the Paiutes. Yet, when I told you he was to be married to-day to the Chief's daughter, you were slow to believe. Now tell me if I have lied, Chisera. THE CHISERA You have not lied, Padahoon, but Simwa, he has lied. How long have you known this? PADAHOON Since the time of Taboose. THE CHISERA And why not told me? PADAHOON How could I think the Chisera wished to know? It was a thing you might have heard from the women grinding meal or weaving baskets. But the Chisera does not often come to the village, except there is illness. THE CHISERA I have no time to gossip with the women. I have to go before the gods for them and their children. PADAHOON And now that you are told, what will you do? THE CHISERA Is there so much to do? PADAHOON Only to give him your blessing. THE CHISERA (_Bitterly._) Did I not give him that at Castac? (_Begins to search about among Simwa's effects._) PADAHOON What seek you, Chisera? THE CHISERA The arrow! the quiver! Surely Simwa does not dance at his wedding wearing his quiver? PADAHOON No; but when he is not wearing it, no man knows where he hides it. THE CHISERA (_Searching._) The quiver! I must find the quiver! PADAHOON 'Tis said he has a magic arrow in it of such power he would have it fall into no man's hands. THE CHISERA (_Muttering._) Aye, the arrow; the black arrow. PADAHOON Chisera, why does this marriage disturb you? THE CHISERA Padahoon, why should you think it disturbs me? PADAHOON You have come. THE CHISERA Why should not one maid come to the marriage of another? There is scarce two summers' difference between me and the Chief's daughter. PADAHOON Yes, but you come in your blanket. Such has not been your custom when you have come among us on errands of healing; then you dressed sumptuously, as befitted one bearing the word of the gods. Now you come like an angry woman who would hide what is in her heart. THE CHISERA (_With dignity._) Cover your own heart, Padahoon, lest I ask what mischief breeds in it to bid you observe me so much. I have not forgot that you would have paid me a blanket to be made war leader in the room of Simwa. PADAHOON (_With ugly insinuation._) Ugh! huh! Perhaps I had been as fortunate as the Arrow-Maker, if, instead of giving it, I had offered to share it with you. THE CHISERA _Kima!_ Padahoon, you do tempt me to try if I can curse. PADAHOON (_Conciliatory._) I have no wish to anger the friend of the gods, but I am a plain man wishing good to my campody, and it seems not good to me that Simwa has grown suddenly so great. THE CHISERA (_Recovering herself._) What has that to do with the Chisera? PADAHOON I have known this Simwa since he was first tied in a basket, and, though he has grown to be war leader, I think he is most like a pod of rattleweed that is swollen to twice its size at the end of the season, yet has no more in it than at the beginning. And I do not know how, without the help of magic medicine, he has come to be what he is with so little in him. THE CHISERA The Chief's daughter has trusted him. PADAHOON She loves him. (_During this scene bursts of Indian music and singing have been heard at intervals. It grows louder._ PADAHOON _and_ CHISERA _look off._) They come this way, Chisera. You are right. When a man has married so fair a wife, there is not much left to be done for him. THE CHISERA (_With bitter irony, as she moves over against_ SIMWA'S _hut and puts up her blanket._) I am not so sure. TIAWA It is Chisera. SEEGOOCHE (_With alarm._) Where is my daughter? (BRIGHT WATER _enters with the young girls, laughing and talking. Her hair is braided with golden poppies and falls over her shoulders. She sees the_ CHISERA _standing, tall and still, by_ SIMWA'S _hut, her whole figure shrouded in a blanket, which is drawn up to cover all of her face but the eyes._) BRIGHT WATER Who is it comes to my wedding uninvited? How her eyes burn upon me! SEEGOOCHE Hush! She will hear you. It is the Chisera. BRIGHT WATER The Chisera? Never have I seen her like this. But she has come to bring me a blessing. SEEGOOCHE Do not speak to her, my daughter; she is not in the humor for it. BRIGHT WATER Shall I not be courteous to the first guest who has come to my husband's house? Chisera, I am pleased that you have come to bless my marriage. THE CHISERA (_Out of her blanket._) Where is Simwa? BRIGHT WATER He comes soon. (_Going to her._) Last night I thought of you, and how you alone, of all Sagharawite, had kept away from my happiness-- SEEGOOCHE Let be, daughter. (_Pulling her sleeve._) It is ill stirring a coiled snake. (_To the_ CHISERA, _with intent to draw her off._) Come this way, Chisera, and I will show you the wedding presents. THE CHISERA (_Lowering her blanket a little._) Show me the Arrow-Maker. (_The elder men have entered, among them_ RAIN WIND.) CHIEF What is this? TIAWA It is the Chisera asking for Simwa. MEN Ah! ah! ah--ah! (_Exchanging glances of inquiry and amazement._) CHIEF Who is that behind her? WACOBA Padahoon! MEN Ugh! huh! CHIEF So? Why does she cover her face? TIAWA She makes medicine in her blanket. (_The Indians draw close in two groups, the women together and the men on the other side. They watch the_ CHISERA _uneasily._ BRIGHT WATER _stands a little apart, the bridesmaids moving timidly toward the elder women._) THE CHISERA (_Putting down her blanket._) The Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite is slow to the bridal. BRIGHT WATER He comes. He comes. (_The young men enter, with_ SIMWA _in their midst, painted and befeathered as befits a handsome man on his wedding day. Observing the_ CHISERA, _he checks and falters in his walk._) SIMWA Chisera! THE CHISERA Is it you, Simwa, who wed with the Chief's daughter? SIMWA You are come, Chisera--(_Wholly at a loss._) You are come-- THE CHISERA I am come to your marriage, Simwa, though I am not invited. BRIGHT WATER But now that she is here, Simwa, you will ask her to bless us? SIMWA (_Recovering himself with an effort._) Surely, surely. But the married women have not blessed us yet. (_Taking the bride's hand and leading her to the blanket. They seat themselves._) Come, Tiawa, have you no pine nuts in your basket? (_With an effort to carry it off jovially._) What! will you have my wife dig roots before her wedding year is out? (_The married women take up their baskets and begin the ceremony of sprinkling the bride with nuts and seeds in token of fruitfulness._) THE CHISERA (_Warningly._) Simwa! Simwa! (_The women leave off, huddling together, looking fearfully at the_ CHISERA.) SEEGOOCHE (_Getting between her and_ BRIGHT WATER.) What harm to you, Chisera, if the Arrow-Maker weds where he loves? THE CHISERA (_Looking steadily at_ SIMWA.) Aye--where he loves--(_Pleadingly._) Simwa! Simwa! (_She drops her blanket and turns away._) SEEGOOCHE (_Lifting her basket to her shoulder again._) Let us go on with the marriage. PADAHOON (_To the company._) If the Chisera knows any reason why this marriage should not go on, should she not say it openly? A word half spoken breeds suspicion faster than flies at killing time. CHIEF What talk is this of reasons? Have I not the disposing of my daughter in marriage? Reason enough, if I wish it so. PADAHOON That which is most reasonable to men, the gods see otherwise. (_A murmur begins in the camp, but_ SIMWA _takes it up instantly._) SIMWA He is thinking of the war with Castac. Truly, you were not eye to eye with the gods on that occasion, Padahoon. PADAHOON Were I so sure it was of the gods, I had not stood out so against it. CHIEF Was not Simwa approved of the gods through the mouth of the Chisera? THE CHISERA So you think. CHIEF Is there another Arrow-Maker so skilled between Tehachappi and Tecuya? Are any shafts better fashioned to fly straight to the mark? Is there any hunter knows more surely where the herds feed, or strikes quicker the slot of a deer? THE CHISERA As you think. CHIEF Let be this talk of reasons. This is mere woman's mischief, to nod and wink and to make signs with the eyebrows. A woman would have you think reason enough for marrying if she liked or misliked it. Chisera, this is no matter for the gods, but a plain mating of man and maid. THE CHISERA (_Flashing._) Since when have you talked with the gods, that you think to lesson me in their business? CHIEF Since you have been a father, to know reasons for the bestowal of daughters. (_Grunts of appreciation._) THE CHISERA (_Letting her blanket slip to her breast._) Know, then, that if these are your reasons, Rain Wind, there is no more meat in them than in the husk of acorns. If good fortune hangs on all Simwa's movements, it is by reason of the medicine I make that binds him in the favor of the Friend. SIMWA (_Leaning on his elbows, with the manner of being quite at ease._) You are very free with your blessing, Chisera, if it is so; for it is well known in the camp that Simwa, the Arrow-Maker, does not believe in charms, nor seek them. INDIANS (_Grunting in assent._) Ugh! huh! THE CHISERA (_Letting fall her blanket in a burst of indignation._) “Nor seek them!”--Ah! Simwa! Simwa! (_A short pause of embarrassment and consternation ensues. Then_ PADAHOON, _in a manner meant to seem impartial--_) PADAHOON The medicine of the Chisera is very powerful, but one must allow a little credit to the gods. Simwa was chosen war leader by the trial of the seven sticks. As the gods willed, they made the sticks to fall. Is it not so, Chisera? THE CHISERA (_Sullenly, from her blanket._) I do not know. I did not look. (_Letting fall her blanket and speaking proudly._) I had persuaded the Friend to give victory to the war leader. What should I care for the sticks? A day and a night I made medicine, and the sign was sure. I said “Simwa” and the gods confirmed it. (_The Indians remain silent, but draw a little away from_ SIMWA.) BRIGHT WATER (_Rising and turning toward her._) Chisera, why should you make medicine for Simwa? THE CHISERA Chief's daughter, do not ask. BRIGHT WATER Chief's daughter I am, and wife of the war leader. Why should you concern yourself with his affairs? THE CHISERA (_After a pause, with great dignity._) Because he loved me. INDIANS Ah! Ah--ah! Ah! SIMWA (_Laughing._) The Friend of the gods has eaten rattleweed. Does a man love a wild woman who goes muttering and waving her arms, when she should be weaving and grinding meal? Would he take a wander-thought to his bed, and have witless children? Sooner I had a snake in my hut to run and tattle to the gods of me. TAVWOTS (_To_ PADAHOON.) Now, if it is true that he owes his fortune to the gods, they have deserted him, else he would not speak so to a jealous woman. SIMWA (_Looking long at the_ CHISERA, _haggard and unpainted, her blanket trailing, and then to the Chief's daughter, and back again, all the eyes of the campody following._) Is there any comeliness in a witch, that a man should desire her? SEEGOOCHE (_Alarmed._) Simwa, Simwa! If you have no care for yourself, at least remember my daughter! SIMWA (_Rising._) Have no care, mother. If I do not believe she can bless, neither do you believe that she can curse. BRIGHT WATER Mother, let be. If this be true that she speaks, I am already cursed. SIMWA (_Going to his wife._) What have we to do with blessings or cursings? The Chisera is unsound in her mind. I have seen her dancing in the hills sometimes where I went to gather eagle's feathers for my arrows, and her madness has made a curious tale of it. BRIGHT WATER I would I might believe it. SIMWA (_With returning complacency._) Do you find it so hard to have a husband whom other women admire? PADAHOON Chief and tribesmen, if it be true that Simwa values charms so little, let him declare what it is he keeps sewed in his quiver so precious that he must hide it even on his wedding day. (_Murmurs. The_ CHISERA, _in alarm, endeavors to check_ PADAHOON. SIMWA _turns upon him with a snarl._) SIMWA _Kima!_ (_Wildly._) You cannot prove that I had it of the Chisera! PADAHOON (_Suddenly darting out two fingers from his mouth, moving them rapidly in the manner of a snake's tongue, with a hissing sound._) Snake of two tongues! Now I know you for the man you are, braggart and liar! SIMWA Coyote whelp! (SIMWA _grasps a war weapon, a stone tied in a crotched stick, from the heap of wedding gifts, and smites_ PADAHOON _to the earth, standing threateningly over him. The others stiffen into tense attitudes, drawing their blankets tighter, their eyes burning bright._ PADAHOON _draws the knife that hangs in a sheath at his neck._) CHIEF (_Putting_ SIMWA _back with a hand at his breast._) Peace! Though you are made my son by this day's work, you shall not usurp judgment. (_To_ PADAHOON, _as_ SIMWA _moves slowly back, his weapon lowered._) What charge do you make? PADAHOON (_Rising on his elbow to spit blood._) Thou art a liar, if ever there was one in Sagharawite, and have nothing which is not owed to the Chisera. CHIEF Speak straight, Padahoon, or, by the Bear, I shall let him kill you where you lie. PADAHOON Three nights after the return from Tecuya, I saw you at the Chisera's house--and again in the rains--and at the time of Taboose. CHIEF Is it so, Chisera? THE CHISERA It is so. PADAHOON Did you go there for love or profit? (SIMWA _lets slip his weapon from his hand to the ground._) CHIEF Simwa, if you were the son of my body, I should not know which to believe. SIMWA Believe him if you like. (_Sullenly._) If a skunk walk in my trail and leave a stink there, shall I go out of my way to deny that it is mine? No doubt the woman is both mad and shameless. (_Murmurs of indignation._) SEEGOOCHE (_Afraid, but furious._) Then if you are shameless, begone! Stay not to vex the marriage of a maiden. Go! Have to do with your gods, and leave my daughter. BRIGHT WATER Mother! Mother! THE CHISERA Shameless, am I, Seegooche? Then there is one of your blood shall know a greater shame. Great hunter does she think her man? Aye, but she shall come to dig roots for him when he fails of the hunt and be glad of the offal the other women give her for pity. For this I say to you, tribesmen of Sagharawite, that, though I cannot curse, yet I can take back my blessing. BRIGHT WATER All this is of no account, Chisera. No doubt you can contrive against the fame of Simwa and bespeak the gods to neglect him; I wait to hear what proof you have that he loved you. SEEGOOCHE Do not vex her, daughter, lest she turn the gods against you also. BRIGHT WATER No matter, mother. What Simwa bears, I can bear. What proof, Chisera? THE CHISERA What proof? (_She turns toward_ SIMWA, _faltering. He smiles contemptuously._) BRIGHT WATER That Simwa loved you. THE CHISERA (_Slowly, her eyes on_ SIMWA.) He came to my hut--in the night--Chief's daughter (_boldly_), even as he comes this night to yours. BRIGHT WATER (_Impatiently._) But did he love you? THE CHISERA He made me so believe. (_Looking about and noting the lack of conviction._) How else had he held me, since last the poppies bloomed, a lure to snare the favor of the gods? Does he say he was not blessed? Aye, twice blessed. (_She takes from her bosom the amulet._) Was it not this you gave me to make medicine upon, to keep your lover safe in war? Twice blessed he was; but, as I made my blessing, so do I break it. (_Drops the amulet and grinds it underfoot_.) INDIANS (_Moving uneasily._) Ah! Ah! THE CHISERA And this is the proof that I speak truly. From this day, whoever brings me arrows shall have medicine upon them without price, and who would have news of the passing of the deer shall have it for the asking. Only Simwa shall have nothing but his own wit and the work of his hands, and by what befalls, you shall know the truth. BRIGHT WATER By this I know the truth! You never loved him, or you would not now betray him. THE CHISERA (_Moving toward the trail._) And you, Bright Water, that think to lie in your husband's arms this night, know that I have lain there before you. And you shall not dare to laugh as a bride laughs, lest it be to him my voice in the dusk; and if he turns and sighs in his sleep, you shall wonder if he dreams of the Chisera. Long and anxiously you shall look in the trail when he is late from the hunt, and the men shall mock him that he could not keep the blessing he had got. (BRIGHT WATER _turns despairingly and sinks on the ground, holding her mother by the knees and sobbing bitterly. All the Indians draw away from_ SIMWA, _leaving him standing, discomfited, in the middle of the camp. All look with awe and dread at the_ CHISERA. _She produces a small medicine stick from under her blanket and twirls it with menace. Going._) As for you, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, though I cannot curse, yet am I the friend of the gods, and they have regard to me. Look well to yourself, Simwa. Look well. [CURTAIN] _ |
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