The Arrow-Maker Part 32

CHOCO

But a friend of the G.o.ds--

TAVWOTS

Let the G.o.ds save her--

CHIEF

There are times when the G.o.ds must be content to stand still and see what men will do. Who serves not us, serves our enemies. It is the law.

PADAHOON

(_Reluctantly._) It is the law--

CHIEF

Death or good medicine--Speak, tribesmen!

(_Above the silence of the Council is heard the deep, excited breathing of the women._)

THE COUNCIL

(_One after another._) Death. Death. Death or good medicine. It is the law.

CHIEF

(_To_ PADAHOON.) Bid her come.

PADAHOON

(_At the hut._) Chisera, come to Council!

THE CHISERA

(_Issuing, wrapped in her blanket._) Who sends for me?

CHIEF

Death is hot upon our trail. Stay him with your spells.

MEN AND WOMEN

Good medicine, Chisera, good medicine!

THE CHISERA

Have you not a war leader--

(_She stops, noticing the bonnet on_ PADAHOON--_looks from him to_ SIMWA.)

PADAHOON

Who invites your blessing, Chisera!

CHIEF

Make spells for thy people!

THE CHISERA

What have my people done for me that I should weary myself to make medicine for them?

CHIEF

Are you not respected above all women of the campody? Even in war-time--

THE CHISERA

Ah--respect! What have I to do with respect? Am I not as other women that men should desire me? Are my b.r.e.a.s.t.s less fair that there should never be milk in them?

CHIEF

We honor you after the use of medicine men. What more would you have?

THE CHISERA

The dole of women. Love and sorrow and housekeeping; a husband to give me children, even though he beat me.

CHIEF

Love you have given, and sorrow you have got. Shame and defeat are your children. So it is always when power falls upon women. The word has pa.s.sed in Council, Chisera; will you repair this damage, or will you die for it?

THE CHISERA

(_As her eye travels the circle of the camp._) I do not find the taste of life so sweet that I should turn it twice upon my tongue; but--(_Her gaze halts on_ SIMWA, _and all the attention of the camp seems to hang a moment in suspense as_ SIMWA _ignores her._) Do I die, then?

PADAHOON

Let Simwa die!

INDIANS

Ah--ah--!

SIMWA

What, old fox, are you out of cover at last?