The Arrow-Maker Part 26

No, Padahoon, but I see that no good comes of persuading the G.o.ds 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 leaders.h.i.+p 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 G.o.ds had so much to do with that: but if the mischief came through them, the G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds.

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 pa.s.s.

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