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
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 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?