The Arrow-Maker Part 5

No fear that any will come while she is still the Chisera.

BRIGHT WATER

She is the wisest of us all.

TIAWA

Wisdom is good as a guest, but it wears out its welcome when it sits by the hearth-stone.

BRIGHT WATER

She has great power with the G.o.ds.

WACOBA

So much so that if she had a husband, he dare not beat her lest she run and tattle to them.

SEEGOOCHE

She is our Chisera, and there is not another like her between Tehachappi and Tecuya. If she were wearied with stooping and sweating, if she were anxious with bearing and rearing, how could she go before the G.o.ds for us?

TIAWA

Aye, that is the talk in the wickiups, that we must hold her apart from us to give her room for her great offices, but I have always said--but I am old and n.o.body minds me--I have always said that if she had loved as we love and had borne as we have borne, she would be the more fitted to entreat the G.o.ds that we may not lose.

SEEGOOCHE

(_As the_ CHISERA _comes out of the hut._) If you are angry, Chisera, turn it against our enemies of Castac.

THE CHISERA

You know that I cannot curse.

TIAWA

Is it true, Chisera, that you make no bad medicine?

THE CHISERA

Many kinds of sickness I can cure, and give easy childbirth. I can bring rain, and give fortune in the hunt, but of the making of evil spells I know nothing.

SEEGOOCHE

But your father, the medicine man--he was the dread and wonder of the tribes.

THE CHISERA

Aye, my father could kill by a spell, and make a wasting sickness with a frown, but he thought such powers not proper to women: therefore he taught me none.

WACOBA

But you will bring a blessing on the battle? Oh, Chisera, they do not tell us women, but we hear it whispered about the camp that the men of Castac are five and twenty, and even with the youths who go to their first battle we cannot make a score of ours. It is the Friend of the Soul of Man must make good our numbers.

THE CHISERA

Even now I go to prepare strong medicine.

WACOBA

Come away, then, and leave the Chisera to her work. (_Going._)

SEEGOOCHE

May the G.o.ds befriend you. If we have your blessing, we care little for another's curse. (_Going._)

THE CHISERA

Stay. After all, we are but women together, and if a woman may give counsel, women may hear it.

TIAWA

Would we might hear yours to-day!

THE CHISERA

When the smoke of the medicine fire arises, so as to be seen from the spring, do you come up along the creek as far as the black rock.

WOMEN

Yes, yes!

THE CHISERA

When you hear the medicine rattles, stand off by the toyon.

WOMEN

By the toyon--yes!

THE CHISERA

But when the rattles are stopped, and the singing falls off, come up very softly, not to disturb the Council, and hear what the G.o.ds have said. If the men speak against it, I will stand for you.

SEEGOOCHE

Our thanks to you, Chisera, for this kindness.

TIAWA