The Arrow-Maker Part 15

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 G.o.ds 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 s.h.i.+rt.

SIMWA

I will play you for that.

TAVWOTS

Not until after the wedding. (_Rises._)

SIMWA

As you like. Your s.h.i.+rt 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 G.o.ds 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 s.h.i.+rt, Simwa, that he goes to find ways to make good against you the loss of the leaders.h.i.+p.

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.