(
As the preparations have gone forward, the sound of the drums and rattles, with an occasional subdued whoop, has drawn nearer, and the Fighting Men, led by the
Chief,
in full fighting gear, arrive in single file marching to the drums. The procession halts in the open space before the
Chisera's
hut.
)
Chief
Let the Council sit.
(
Eleven of the elders seat themselves in a circle about the fire, turning toward the
Chief.
The others stand or sit attentively in the background. The
Chief
at the fire hands the ceremonial pipe to
Yavi
who lights it.
Rain Wind
blows a puff of smoke to all the gods, returning to his place in the Council; the pipe passes from hand to hand; when it has passed all about, each tribesman blowing smoke and saluting, the
Chief
rises and stands before the
Chisera's
hut
.)
Chisera, Chisera, come to Council!
The Chisera
(
Advancing to his side.
) Rain Wind, Chief of Sagharawite, what will you have of me?
(Pamaquash
lights the medicine fire.
)
Chief
To carry a matter too hard for us before the Friend of the Soul of Man.
The Chisera
Nothing that men contrive in their hearts is too hard for the gods. Speak, then!
(
Goes and sits beside the
Chief.)
Chief
(
Rising.
) Tribesmen, for as many years as a fir tree needs to bear cones, I have been Chief in Sagharawite. Now I am old, and, like a badger, see only my own trail (
grunts of dissent
), and my legs carry me no farther than my eyes see. Therefore, since there is war with Castac concerning the piñon trees which are ours (
grunts and exclamations
), it is right you have a younger man to lead you. But, since it has never happened that there must be a war leader chosen while there is a chief alive and sitting in Council, I think it well to inquire how the gods stand toward us. Tribesmen, what do you say? (
Sits with great dignity.
)
Choco
(
Rising and saluting the
Chief
with lifted hand. Speaking with great deliberation and winning sober approval.
) Chief Rain Wind has said. The occasion is strange and the candidates of such diverse but equal merit that it is impossible for a just man to choose between them. Let the Chisera carry it to the gods.
Chief
This is truth which Choco says – whom the gods will favor they favor. They are not greatly bound to the choice of men.
The Council
Good counsel! good counsel! (
Assent from the bystanders.
)
Tavwots
(
Continuing, with earnestness.
) Tribesmen, I am not myself of two minds in this business. I speak freely for Padahoon according to our custom which is, without discredit to the Arrow-Maker, for the leadership of the elder. But at least let us remember that the gods have high affairs; they are not always listening to the gossip of the camp-fire and hut. What word have they of Sagharawite except as the Chisera carries it? If we put the choice to them, let her know what we are thinking in our hearts. Let Simwa and Sparrow Hawk declare it so that we and the gods shall know how they stand toward the conduct of this war. I have said. (
Seats himself amid general approval.
)
Old Men
Good counsel! Good counsel!
Tribesmen
Simwa! Padahoon! The Arrow-Maker! Padahoon!
Chief
Padahoon, you have the more years; say what you will do. And do you, Chisera, bear it well in your heart as you go up before the Friend of the Soul of Man.
The Chisera
The trail of the gods is hard and none may walk therein save those that walk sincerely. Speak, then!
Padahoon
(
Rising.
) Chief and tribesmen, you know me. What I think in my heart, I say; and what I say I do. The piñon trees are ours, since the time of our father's fathers (
general assent
), and this is a vain fight for the men of Castac. Inasmuch as they have crossed our borders, they do evilly, but they are also Paiutes, as we are, and sons of the Bear. Aforetime when the Tecuyas came against us, they were as our brothers. Now, were I war leader, I should leave them at Pahrump and, going up behind the ridge of Toorape, strike at their villages. When we have their women and children and their stores, we can make terms with our brothers of Castac. So shall we save our honor and our allies.
Indians
Good counsel! Ugh! Huh! Padahoon! Good counsel!
Chief
Speak, Simwa!
Simwa
(
Rising.
) Shall I call a thief my brother, and is a poacher my fellow that I should respect him? Sons of the Bear are the men of Castac? Aye, bastard sons, and the coyote is their mother. (
Grunts and cries of approval.
) The Castacs have filled up our springs and driven our deer. They have stalked our hunters in the hills. (
Grunts.
) Aye, but we have given the stalkers arrows of ours to keep. (
Grunts of satisfaction.
) Shall we go after our arrows, men of Sagharawite, or shall we wait until our “brothers” of Castac come and stroke us? I am not so old as Padahoon, nor so wise, but, by the Bear that fathered us, were I war leader for the space of one moon, there would be no more men of Castac to trouble our harvest.
Young Men
Simwa! Simwa! The Arrow-Maker!
Old Men
Padahoon! Padahoon!
Chief
Tribesmen, the wisdom of Padahoon is sound, and such as every man has in his own head; but the speech of Simwa is a water of mirage about our understanding. Shall we try what the gods will do? (
Nods and grunts of approval.
)
Old Men
The gods – the Chisera – the Chisera!
Chief
The best of the spoil of Castac is yours, Chisera, if the choice be fortunate.
The Chisera
(
Rising to begin.
) I want no spoil; this is also my quarrel. How will you have the venture tried?
Indians
The sticks! The sacred sticks!
(
The
Chisera
produces the sticks from her medicine bag, and hands them to one of the Old Men. To each of the others who will dance with her (two or three) she gives a fetish from her bag. They have already put on appropriate headdresses and are prepared for dancing. She motions the rattles to begin. Behind her are the Old Men, with the drums and rattles; on each side, the Fighting Men seated on the ground. The dance begins, the
Chisera
singing. The Old Men keep up a crooning accompaniment; from time to time the Fighting Men join
the singing and exhibit a growing excitement as the dance progresses. At intervals, one and another of them, leaps to his feet and joins the dance. At the last, the
Chisera,
whirling rapidly, falls to the ground. Instantly the rattles are stopped, and the people wait in suspense the word of the gods. The women are seen to steal up through the toyon bushes. The
Chisera
lifts herself slowly on one elbow, as if waking from a drugged sleep. She stretches out her hand for the sacred sticks. She drops them with a quick turn of the wrist, gathers them up and drops them again, seeking for an augury. She throws up the arm with the medicine stick and begins to chant
.)
The Chisera
The bows of Castac shall be broken.
The bowstring shall break asunder.
The bows of thy foes shall be broken and the vultures come to the battle.
(Excitement and confusion.)
Indians
The omen, the omen! the war leader!
The Chisera
(Chanting)
The Maker of Arrows shall lead you.
He that makes arrows of eagles' feathers,
Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, he shall lead you,
Simwa shall break the bows of Castac.
Tribesmen
Simwa!
(
The Indians break into a great shout for
Simwa. Rain Wind
puts a collar of bears' claws about
Simwa's
neck, lifts his war-bonnet and places it on his head.
Simwa
raises his war-club with a great shout, dancing about the half-prostrate form of the
Chisera,
the Fighting Men one by one falling into the dance with wild exultant movements, chanting
.)
The bows of Castac shall be broken!
The bowstring shall break asunder!
He shall break the bows of Castac!
(
As they pass out on the war trail shouting, the women are seen to come to the help of the
Chisera.)
CURTAIN
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,
'Tis the wind rocking
Thy nest in the pine tree.
Hey, 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
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