The Arrow-Maker Part 17

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 pa.s.sed 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 G.o.ds in his favor.

PADAHOON

The G.o.ds 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