The Arrow-Maker Part 4

WACOBA

That our hearths may be kept alight and our children know their fathers--

TIAWA

When the noise of battle is joined and the buzzards come, may they feed on our foes, Chisera--

SEEGOOCHE

O friend of the G.o.ds, befriend us!

(_The women cast dust on their hair and rock to and fro while the_ CHISERA _speaks, lifting up their arms in an agony of entreating._)

THE CHISERA

Am I not also a tribeswoman? Would not I do so much for my people?

But your gifts and your prayers will be acceptable to the G.o.ds, for of myself I can do nothing. (_She stoops to the gifts, but hesitates._) Who is this that comes?

(_The young girls steal up noiselessly through the bushes, led by the Chief's daughter._ BRIGHT WATER _is lovely and young; her hair, flowing loosely over her shoulders and breast, is mingled with strings of beads and bright berries. Her dress of fringed buckskin is heavily beaded, her arms are weighted with armlets of silver and carved beads of turquoise; about her neck hangs a disk of glittering sh.e.l.l. She walks proudly, a little in advance of the others, who bunch up timidly like quail on the trail, behind her. The women, catching sight of the girls, spring up, frightened, and stand half protectingly between them and the_ CHISERA.)

TIAWA

It is the Chief's daughter.

SEEGOOCHE

What do you here? You have neither sons nor husbands that you should ask spells and charms.

BRIGHT WATER

How, then, shall we have husbands or sons, if the battle goes against us?

THE CHISERA

Well answered, Chief's daughter.

BRIGHT WATER

(_Surprised._) You know me?

THE CHISERA

I have heard that the loveliest maiden of Sagharawite is called Bright Water, daughter of Rain Wind, Chief of the Paiutes.

SEEGOOCHE

(_Going over to_ BRIGHT WATER.) You should have stayed in the wickiup, my daughter; you are too young to go seeking magic medicine.

BRIGHT WATER

The more need because we are young, mother. If the loss of battle come to you, at least you have had the love of a man and the lips of children at the breast. But we, if the battle goes against us, what have we?

THE CHISERA

Ay, truly, Seegooche, there are no joys so hard to do without as those we have not had.

BRIGHT WATER

Therefore, we ask a charm, Chisera, for our sweethearts; and, in the mean time, may this remind you--

(_She drops a bracelet in the_ CHISERA'S _basket._)

WHITE FLOWER

(_Going forward._) The scarlet beads from me, Chisera. I am to be married in the time of ta.s.seling corn.

TUIYO

The sh.e.l.ls from me, Chisera. Good medicine!

PIOKE

Strong Bow is my lover, Chisera. Bring him safe home again.

(_The girls retire after dropping their gifts in the_ CHISERA'S _basket._)

THE CHISERA

(_A little stiffly._) You have no need of gifts. Am I not young, even as you? Should _you_ pray for your lover any more or less for the sake of a few beads?

SEEGOOCHE

(_Anxiously._) Be not angry, Chisera. They would repay you for the dancing and the singing.

(_The_ CHISERA _gathers up the gifts that the older women have brought and goes into the hut. The girls take up their gifts, puzzled._)

SEEGOOCHE

I am afraid you have vexed her with your foolish quest.

BRIGHT WATER

Has the Chisera a lover also, that she speak so?

SEEGOOCHE

It is not possible and we not know of it, for since her father's death if any sought her hand in marriage, he must come to my husband in the matter of dowry.

WACOBA