The Arrow-Maker Part 25

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 n.o.body minds me--that if there was one of her household to go to battle, she would need no persuasion to go before the G.o.ds. 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

Hus.h.!.+ Hus.h.!.+

(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 G.o.ds 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