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
ACT THIRD
ACT THIRD
TIME.--_One year later._
SCENE.--_The top of Toorape, where the tribe has been driven by their
enemies of Tecuya. The women and children hide in holes in the rocks.
Off to the right on a jutting boulder, against the sky, stands_ YAVI,
_as sentinel; two or three wounded lie about. Crouching over the fire
are_ SEEGOOCHE, WACOBA, _and_ TIAWA, _showing in their dress and
appearance the marks of a year of distress, as do all the others as
they appear upon the scene._
YAVI
(_To them._) St--st!
WACOBA
(_Rising._) Some one on the trail!
SEEGOOCHE
What is it?
WACOBA
(_To her._) Hush!
YAVI
The Sparrow Hawk!
SEEGOOCHE
News from the Fighting Men!
TIAWA
The gods grant it be good news!
(PADAHOON, _weary and with disordered dress, comes clambering up
the face of the cliff._)
YAVI
(_Calling down in a whisper._) What news?
TIAWA
Are the gods still against us?
PADAHOON
As they have been since the day the Chisera took away her blessing
from the war leader.
WOMEN
(_Wailing._) Ai! Ai!
(_Others come out of the rocks to join in the general grief._)
WACOBA
Could you but persuade her to give it back again. (_Hopefully._)
PADAHOON
If I cannot, then this is like to be the last fight of Sagharawite!
WACOBA
If you cannot, then must the chief enforce her, for since we were
driven from our homes, neither the anguish of the women nor the
hunger of the children has moved her.
PADAHOON
I will speak with her at once.
(_He goes up among the rocks, and the women huddle wretchedly
together watching._)
WACOBA
Do you think she will consent?
SEEGOOCHE
She cannot choose but do it. The men have kept her supplied with
venison, but she must know that there is hunger in the camp of the
women and children.
WACOBA
And that the Tecuyas have taken the best of our fighting men.
TIAWA
But no man of hers. I have always said--but because I am old nobody
minds me--that if there was one of her household to go to battle, she
would need no persuasion to go before the gods. I would Simwa had
given her a child.
WACOBA
(_Aside from_ SEEGOOCHE.) Then you believe that he was her lover?
TIAWA
What else? Would any but a jilted woman sit and mope while our
wickiups go up in smoke?
WACOBA
I would she had a child, but not Simwa's. One of that breed is
enough.
SEEGOOCHE
(_Who has moved nearer the hut._) Hush, see the curtain! (_They
start._)
TIAWA
It was the wind.
SEEGOOCHE
They say she has not made medicine since my daughter's marriage.
WACOBA
(_Looking off to the right where the mountains dip abruptly
valleyward._) And to think that even now they must be fighting under
Toorape.
SEEGOOCHE
Hush! Hush!
(PADAHOON _and the_ CHISERA _come out of the hut. The_ CHISERA'S
_whole appearance is of heartbreak and neglect. She leans against
the boulders at the left, holding her blanket close, and answers_
PADAHOON _sullenly._)
PADAHOON
And is this all your answer?
THE CHISERA
The trail is cold between the gods and me.
PADAHOON
Then you will not make medicine?
THE CHISERA
And would not if I could.
PADAHOON
Have you turned renegade, Chisera, and side with our enemies of
Tecuya?
THE CHISERA
No, Padahoon, but I see that no good comes of persuading the gods to
do more for man than his natural destiny.
PADAHOON
You have always persuaded them to our advantage.
THE CHISERA
What good came of having Simwa made war leader? Had I not persuaded
them to meddle with that business, the leadership would have fallen
to you as the elder, and we should not now be without allies in our
need.
PADAHOON
I am not sure the gods had so much to do with that: but if the
mischief came through them, the gods must repair it.
THE CHISERA
I will not make medicine. Send the women away.
PADAHOON
What shall I say to them?
THE CHISERA
To count themselves already blessed in having those for whom they
desire blessing. Tell them that to have loved and given the breast is
enough to salve the wounds of loss.
PADAHOON
You are hard, Chisera.
THE CHISERA
I am jealous of their griefs. Their very pangs I envy them. Who is
there of mine goes to this war that I should grieve for his wounding
or look for his return? (_She looks bitterly toward the women who
have crept from the caves to peer from the rocks in the direction of
the fighting._) Persuade me no more, Padahoon. I will not do it.
(_She disappears among the rocks to the left, and_ PADAHOON
_turns to the women who crowd around him anxiously._)
WACOBA
Has she promised?
TIAWA
Will she help us?
PADAHOON
The Chisera will not make medicine.
WOMEN
(_Rocking themselves to and fro._) Ai! Ai!
SEEGOOCHE
Is it because our gifts are so small? She should consider how hard it
is to get venison in war-time.
PADAHOON
Her heart is so full of bitterness that there is no room in it for
the gods.
WACOBA
That is Simwa's doing--though he is your son, Seegooche, I must say
it--there was no better Chisera between here and Tehachappi until he
curdled her wisdom with his lies.
TIAWA
Ah, Simwa! I spit upon his name.
(_The women spit between their teeth with sharp hisses._)
WACOBA
How the Chisera hates him!
PADAHOON
How she loves him!
TIAWA
(_Struck with this._) You think so? Yet there is not one word of the
evil she said of him a year ago that has not come to pass.
WOMEN
Ai! Ai! On him and us.
PADAHOON
And hate would have been satisfied to strip him of his honors, but
now she lets the whole tribe go down in the ruin of her love.
WACOBA
(_Hopefully._) Then if she loves him, perhaps he can persuade her.
PADAHOON
As well persuade the rattlesnake not to strike him.
SEEGOOCHE
If the Chief should insist, she would not dare refuse.
PADAHOON
There is little she would not dare. But you can try.
WOMEN
Let us bring the Chief. (_They go out._)
THE CHISERA
(_Reappearing cautiously._) Have they gone?
PADAHOON
To bring Rain Wind to command you.
THE CHISERA
Can he command the sap to rise or bid the deer-weed spring when there
is no rain? My power is gone from me.
PADAHOON
Chisera, it is a grave matter to refuse service in time of war--be
advised by the word of a friend--
THE CHISERA
Has the Chisera indeed a friend?
PADAHOON
Have I not proved--
THE CHISERA
Padahoon, when did you ever visit me for any but your own advantage?
For what else did you stir me against Simwa, and why now do you seek
my blessing but to make good against him the honor of which he has
robbed you? Does any one of you bring me venison except for profit or
grind my meal for love?
PADAHOON
Seeing how little good you had of the love of the Arrow-Maker, why
should you desire it?
THE CHISERA
You spit poison like a toad, Padahoon, but your fangs are drawn. The
Arrow-Maker never loved me.
PADAHOON
(_Approaching her with the manner of having gained a point._) If you
have the wit to know so much--
THE CHISERA
(_Commanding him from her with a gesture as she seats herself._)
Padahoon, there is no more power in me than there is tang in a wet
bowstring. (_She rocks her head between her hands._) It is gone from
me as the shadow goes up the mountain. As the wild geese go northward
at the end of the rains, so is my power--How shall I win it again who
cannot win the love of man?... Ah, leave me, Padahoon, leave me!
(_She covers her head with her blanket._)
(_Enter_ CHIEF RAIN WIND, _stumbling blindly, led by his wife and
followed at a respectful distance by the other women. He walks with
dignity, in spite of his blindness, and has on all the insignia of
rank except the war-bonnet._ SEEGOOCHE _has a hasty, eager manner,
ingratiating but timid._)
PADAHOON
(_To them._) You will get nothing.
CHIEF
I do not come asking: I command.
SEEGOOCHE
No, no, do not be harsh with her! Let me speak, we women will
understand one another.
CHIEF
(_Putting his wife aside._) Chisera. (_The_ CHISERA _starts at the
tone of authority, but controls herself._) Friend of the gods. (_She
makes a movement of protest._) I have that to say to you which should
be said but once, which to say at all is shame to you. Great powers
have been given you to turn the favor of the gods as a willow is
turned in the wind. How is it you have not turned them when your
people are in war and bad fortune? We are driven as hunted rabbits to
hide in holes in the rocks, and our fighting men are outnumbered;
even now we do not know if there be one left alive of them--Our tribe
shall be as a forgotten tale unless you intercede for us.
THE CHISERA
(_Over her shoulder._) What? Is it possible Simwa cannot bring this
affair to pass without the gods?
SEEGOOCHE
(_Breaking in eagerly._) Yes, yes; the gods are very great, there is
nothing without them.
THE CHISERA
(_Still to the_ CHIEF.) Does Simwa ask it?
CHIEF
The chief commands it.
SEEGOOCHE
(_Cringingly._) No. No. Chisera, mind him not! He is not himself, the
hunger and the loss of battle do distress him. We beg of you, we
implore you, Chisera--we will bring gifts to you--gifts, Chisera.
(_She looks about despairingly for a suitable gift, snatches a great
rope of beads from the Chief's neck and drops it in the_ CHISERA'S
_lap._) Spoil of our enemies when the war is over, and this to keep
as a reminder--So--if only you will persuade the gods to friend us.
THE CHISERA
(_Lifting the collar and letting it fall._) And if I will not?
(_Still with her eyes on the_ CHIEF, _ignoring Seegooche._)
CHIEF
Chisera, I am an old man, and I knew your father. We had much good
talk together--I am very old--but I am not blind in my judgment as I
am in my eyes. In war-time there is but one law for those faithless
to the tribal obligation. You know it.
THE CHISERA
(_Drawing her blanket._) I know it.
SEEGOOCHE
(_Dropping to the ground and beating the earth with her palms._) Do
not, do not refuse it, wise one, friend of the Friend! What has Simwa
done that you should destroy us?
THE CHISERA
_You ask me that, Seegooche?_
SEEGOOCHE
I know--you said--Such a small thing, Chisera. To love you a little
before he loved my daughter. Young men do often so--and you were very
fair and no doubt beguiled him--Ah, who could withstand you, daughter
of the gods? (_Wheedling._) But your punishment is heavy upon him.
THE CHISERA
Is it so?
SEEGOOCHE
(_Thinking she has gained a point._) It is indeed as you said; he
makes no more arrows, and his luck in the hunt is gone from him. And
the men mock him. A war leader should not be mocked, Chisera.
THE CHISERA
No more should a friend of the gods, but Simwa mocked me.
SEEGOOCHE
(_Loosing hope._) He was mad, Chisera, he had eaten rattle-weed. But
my daughter did not mock you. Think of my daughter!
THE CHISERA
When does your daughter ever think of me?
SEEGOOCHE
(_Broken and drooping._) Every day she thinks of you. When she is
a-hungered, when her man brings her nothing from the hunt--as--you
have said, Chisera. When she digs roots with the old women and no one
prevents her for the sake of a child to be born.
THE CHISERA
(_With relish._) Does she dig roots?
SEEGOOCHE
With the barren women. Also her beauty goes, she is so thin with the
famine.
THE CHISERA
(_Baring her arm._) I also am thin.
(_From this moment some perception of the pervasive misery of the
situation enters her mind and begins to color her speech._)
CHIEF
Hunger and sickness and war have come into the camp because you kept
not your heart, Chisera. Yet a greater than all these shall come upon
you if you forget your tribal obligation.
THE CHISERA