The Arrow-Maker Part 3

Ugh, huh! So the scent lies up that trail? Well, why not?

WACOBA

Why not? The Chief's daughter and the war leader? A good match.

TIAWA

(_Going across to the hut._) Aye, a good match!... Do you know, I have never been in the Chisera's house. It is said she has a great store of baskets and many beads. Let us look.

SEEGOOCHE

No, no; do not go near it.

WACOBA

(_Alarmed._) _Kima!_ Tiawa, she may be watching you.

TIAWA

(_By the hut, but not daring to enter it._) What harm to visit a neighbor's house when the door is open. Besides, she makes no bad medicine.

SEEGOOCHE

We know that she does not, but not that she could not if she would.

TIAWA

(_Returning reluctantly._) Why should we hold the Chisera so apart from the campody? Why should she not have a husband and children as other women? How can she go before the G.o.ds for us until she knows what we are thinking in our hearts?

WACOBA

(_Jumping up._) I have seen something stirring in the alder bushes. I think the Chisera comes!

SEEGOOCHE

Do not be seen too near the hut. Come away, Tiawa.

TIAWA

Have you the presents ready? (_The women take up their baskets hastily._) Hide your basket, Seegooche. It is not well to let all your gifts appear on the first showing, for if she is not persuaded at first, we shall have something of more worth.

(_The_ CHISERA _comes out of the trail by the almond bushes, young and tall and comely, but of dignified, almost forbidding, carriage. She is dressed chiefly in skins; her hair is very long, braided with beads. She carries a small burden basket on her back, supported by a band about her forehead. She removes this, and drops it at the hut, coming forward._)

THE CHISERA

Friends, what have we to do with one another? Seegooche, has your meal fermented? Or has your baby the colic again, Wacoba?

SEEGOOCHE

We have a gift for you, Chisera.

(_The women draw near timidly, each, as she speaks, placing her basket at the_ CHISERA'S _feet, and retire._)

THE CHISERA

(_Looking at the gifts, without touching them._) The venison is fat and tender; Seegooche, there is no one grinds meal so smoothly as you. The honey is indeed acceptable.

(_After a pause, during which the medicine woman looks keenly at them._)

TIAWA

We do not come for ourselves, Chisera, but from the tribeswomen.

SEEGOOCHE

From every one who has a husband or son able to join battle.

THE CHISERA

(_Eagerly._) Is there battle?

SEEGOOCHE

Even as we came, there was word that the Castacs are camped at Pahrump, and before night our men must meet them.

THE CHISERA

And you ask me--?

SEEGOOCHE

(_Approaching appealingly and sinking to the ground in the stress of anxiety._) A charm, Chisera!

TIAWA

(_Approaching with_ WACOBA.) A most potent medicine, O friend of the G.o.ds!

WACOBA

That our men may have strength and discretion. That their hearts may not turn to water and their knees quake under them--

TIAWA

(_Urgently._) May the bows of Castac be broken, and their arrows turned aside--

SEEGOOCHE

For the lords of our bodies and the sons of our bodies, a blessing, Chisera!