The Arrow-Maker Part 21

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 G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds on that occasion, Padahoon.

PADAHOON

Were I so sure it was of the G.o.ds, I had not stood out so against it.

CHIEF