Scene. _A forest hillside where great trees stand with wide
spaces between. A stream flows from a spring that bursts
out of the hillside. It is a place of lush ferns and brakes,
also, of thickets of such shrubs as inhabit a redwood forest
floor. At the left, in the open level space at the foot of the
hillside, extending out of sight among the trees, is visible a
portion of a Nishinam Indian camp. It is a temporary
camp for the night. Small cooking fires smoulder. Standing
about are withe-woven baskets for the carrying of supplies
and dunnage. Spears and bows and quivers of arrows lie
about. Boys drag in dry branches for firewood. Young
women fill gourds with water from the stream and proceed
about their camp tasks. A number of older women are
pounding acorns in stone mortars with stone pestles. An
old man and a Shaman, or priest, look expectantly up the
hillside. All wear moccasins and are skin-clad, primitive,
in their garmenting. Neither iron nor woven cloth occurs
in the weapons and gear._
{Shaman}
_(Looking up hillside.)_
Red Cloud is late.
{Old Man}
_(After inspection of hillside.)_
He has chased the deer far. He is patient.
In the chase he is patient like an old man.
{Shaman}
His feet are as fleet as the deer's.
{Old Man}
_(Nodding.)_
And he is more patient than the deer.
{Shaman}
_(Assertively, as if inculcating a lesson.)_
He is a mighty chief.
{Old Man}
_(Nodding.)_
His father was a mighty chief. He is like to
his father.
{Shaman}
_(More assertively.)_
He is his father. It is so spoken. He is
his father's father. He is the first man, the
first Red Cloud, ever born, and born again, to
chiefship of his people.
{Old Man}
It is so spoken.
{Shaman}
His father was the Coyote. His mother was
the Moon. And he was the first man.
{Old Man}
_(Repeating.)_
His father was the Coyote. His mother was
the Moon. And he was the first man.
{Shaman}
He planted the first acorns, and he is very
wise.
{Old Man}
_(Repeating.)_
He planted the first acorns, and he is very
wise.
_(Cries from the women and a turning of
faces. Red Cloud appears among his
hunters descending the hillside. All
carry spears, and bows and arrows.
Some carry rabbits and other small
game. Several carry deer)_