  Time.—One year later. Scene.—The top of Toorape, where the tribe has been driven by their enemies of Tecuya. The women and children hide in holes in the rocks. Off to the right on a jutting boulder, against the sky, stands Yavi, as sentinel; two or three wounded lie about. Crouching over the fire are Seegooche, Wacoba, and Tiawa, showing in their dress and appearance the marks of a year of distress, as do all the others as they appear upon the scene. Yavi (To them.) St—st! Wacoba (Rising.) Some one on the trail! Seegooche What is it? Wacoba (To her.) Hush! Yavi The Sparrow Hawk! Seegooche News from the Fighting Men! Tiawa The gods grant it be good news!
Yavi (Calling down in a whisper.) What news? Tiawa Are the gods still against us? Padahoon As they have been since the day the Chisera took away her blessing from the war leader. Women (Wailing.) Ai! Ai!
Wacoba Could you but persuade her to give it back again. (Hopefully.) Padahoon If I cannot, then this is like to be the last fight of Sagharawite! Wacoba If you cannot, then must the chief enforce her, for since we were driven from our homes, neither the anguish of the women nor the hunger of the children has moved her. Padahoon I will speak with her at once.
Wacoba Do you think she will consent? Seegooche She cannot choose but do it. The men have kept her supplied with venison, but she must know that there is hunger in the camp of the women and children. Wacoba And that the Tecuyas have taken the best of our fighting men. Tiawa But no man of hers. I have always said—but because I am old nobody minds me—that if there was one of her household to go to battle, she would need no persuasion to go before the gods. I would Simwa had given her a child. Wacoba (Aside from Seegooche.) Then you believe that he was her lover? Tiawa What else? Would any but a jilted woman sit and mope while our wickiups go up in smoke? Wacoba I would she had a child, but not Simwa's. One of that breed is enough. Seegooche (Who has moved nearer the hut.) Hush, see the curtain! (They start.) Tiawa It was the wind. Seegooche They say she has not made medicine since my daughter's marriage. Wacoba (Looking off to the right where the mountains dip abruptly valleyward.) And to think that even now they must be fighting under Toorape. Seegooche Hush! Hush!
Padahoon And is this all your answer? The Chisera The trail is cold between the gods and me. Padahoon Then you will not make medicine? The Chisera And would not if I could. Padahoon Have you turned renegade, Chisera, and side with our enemies of Tecuya? The Chisera No, Padahoon, but I see that no good comes of persuading the gods 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 leadership 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 gods had so much to do 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.
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 gods. 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.
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 pass. 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 If the Chief should insist, she would not dare refuse. Padahoon There is little she would not dare. But you can try. Women Let us bring the Chief. (They go out.) The Chisera (Reappearing cautiously.) Have they gone? Padahoon To bring Rain Wind to command you. The Chisera Can he command the sap to rise or bid the deer-weed spring when there is no rain? My power is gone from me. Padahoon Chisera, it is a grave matter to refuse service in time of war—be advised by the word of a friend— The Chisera Has the Chisera indeed a friend? Padahoon Have I not proved— The Chisera Padahoon, when did you ever visit me for any but your own advantage? For what else did you stir me against Simwa, and why now do you seek my blessing but to make good against him the honor of which he has robbed you? Does any one of you bring me venison except for profit or grind my meal for love? Padahoon Seeing how little good you had of the love of the Arrow-Maker, why should you desire it? The Chisera You spit poison like a toad, Padahoon, but your fangs are drawn. The Arrow-Maker never loved me. Padahoon (Approaching her with the manner of having gained a point.) If you have the wit to know so much— The Chisera (Commanding him from her with a gesture as she seats herself.) Padahoon, there is no more power in me than there is tang in a wet bowstring. (She rocks her head between her hands.) It is gone from me as the shadow goes up the mountain. As the wild geese go northward at the end of the rains, so is my power—How shall I win it again who cannot win the love of man?... Ah, leave me, Padahoon, leave me!
(Enter Chief Rain Wind, stumbling blindly, led by his wife and followed at a respectful distance by the other women. He walks with dignity, in spite of his blindness, and has on all the insignia of rank except the war-bonnet. Seegooche has a hasty, eager manner, ingratiating but timid.) Padahoon (To them.) You will get nothing. Chief I do not come asking: I command. Seegooche No, no, do not be harsh with her! Let me Chief (Putting his wife aside.) Chisera. (The Chisera starts at the tone of authority, but controls herself.) Friend of the gods. (She makes a movement of protest.) I have that to say to you which should be said but once, which to say at all is shame to you. Great powers have been given you to turn the favor of the gods as a willow is turned in the wind. How is it you have not turned them when your people are in war and bad fortune? We are driven as hunted rabbits to hide in holes in the rocks, and our fighting men are outnumbered; even now we do not know if there be one left alive of them—Our tribe shall be as a forgotten tale unless you intercede for us. The Chisera (Over her shoulder.) What? Is it possible Simwa cannot bring this affair to pass without the gods? Seegooche (Breaking in eagerly.) Yes, yes; the gods are very great, there is nothing without them. The Chisera (Still to the Chief.) Does Simwa ask it? Chief The chief commands it. Seegooche (Cringingly.) No. No. Chisera, mind him not! He is not himself, the hunger and the loss of battle do distress him. We beg of you, we implore you, Chisera—we will bring gifts to you—gifts, Chisera. (She looks about despairingly for a suitable gift, snatches a great rope of beads from the Chief's neck and drops it in the Chisera's lap.) Spoil of our enemies when the war is over, and this to keep as a reminder—So—if only you will persuade the gods to friend us. The Chisera (Lifting the collar and letting it fall.) And if I will not?
Chief Chisera, I am an old man, and I knew your father. We had much good talk together—I The Chisera (Drawing her blanket.) I know it. Seegooche (Dropping to the ground and beating the earth with her palms.) Do not, do not refuse it, wise one, friend of the Friend! What has Simwa done that you should destroy us? The Chisera You ask me that, Seegooche? Seegooche I know—you said—Such a small thing, Chisera. To love you a little before he loved my daughter. Young men do often so—and you were very fair and no doubt beguiled him—Ah, who could withstand you, daughter of the gods? (Wheedling.) But your punishment is heavy upon him. The Chisera Is it so? Seegooche (Thinking she has gained a point.) It is indeed as you said; he makes no more arrows, and his luck in the hunt is gone from him. And the men mock him. A war leader should not be mocked, Chisera. The Chisera No more should a friend of the gods, but Simwa mocked me. Seegooche (Loosing hope.) He was mad, Chisera, he had eaten rattle-weed. But my daughter did not mock you. Think of my daughter! The Chisera When does your daughter ever think of me? Seegooche (Broken and drooping.) Every day she thinks of you. When she is a-hungered, when her man brings her nothing from the hunt—as—you have said, Chisera. When she digs roots with the old women and no one prevents her for the sake of a child to be born. The Chisera (With relish.) Does she dig roots? Seegooche With the barren women. Also her beauty goes, she is so thin with the famine. The Chisera (Baring her arm.) I also am thin.
Chief Hunger and sickness and war have come into the camp because you kept not your heart, Chisera. Yet a greater than all these shall come upon you if you forget your tribal obligation. The Chisera (Rising on one knee.) What obligation have I owed, Chief Rain Wind, and not remembered it? Chief That which lies upon all that have power with the Friend of the Soul of Man. Only The Chisera (Rising and moving toward her hut.) I am overweary for the road; let Simwa find it.
Chief What was that? Padahoon A message from the Fighting Men. Chief Read me the token. Padahoon A vulture's feather and a bark of whenonabe. Defeat and flight. Women Ai! Ai!
Chief They will not be far behind their arrows.
Simwa Ugh! Is it so I find the fighting men of Sagharawite—huddled together like rabbits when the coyotes are after them? Wacoba (Scattering dust on her head.) Ai! Ai! My man, my man! Simwa Be still, you fool! Would you call up our enemies with your noise? (The wailing drops to a moan.) Put out that fire—they can sniff smoke as far as a vulture smells carrion. (Choco stamps out the fire.) You, Choco, do you show your face to me, misgotten whelp of a coyote! It was you who led the fleeing. Choco (Sullenly.) It was Tavwots. Tavwots By the Bear, you shall have a wound for that, though you ran too fast to have one in battle.
Padahoon Fools! (He strikes up Tavwots' arm; another Indian jerks Choco by the ankles causing him to sit down.) Have you killed so many in battle, Tavwots, that you can afford to lose us a fighting man?
Chief Peace! Though I am too old for battle, Simwa We have shown the Tecuyas what running is like. Tavwots The gods send we have run fast enough to throw them off the trail, else they will attack before morning.
Chief (To them.) Kima! (Their grief falls off to a whimper. To Simwa.) Where met you? Simwa Under Waban where they stayed to cook venison they had killed. We had every way the advantage— Tavwots As much as rabbits when they have met with coyotes. They were three to one of us. Simwa (Ignoring him with an effort.) We were between them and cover—we were driving Tavwots (Rising on his elbow.) You shall be sicker, Simwa, when you have eaten your words. That old man was Tibu, the medicine man of the Tecuyas. I knew him. Simwa Then it was you, Tavwots, who broke and ran? Tavwots He came upon us with charms and spells. He had the gods on his side. Choco Our hearts were turned to water because of his evil medicine. Chief Are not the gods of Sagharawite stronger than the gods of the Tecuyas? Tavwots Not when we have one to lead us who despises their blessings. Simwa Well, I believe in the medicine of Tibu. He has made old women of you. Chief Think no more of that. Let us consider what is to be done.
Padahoon (As he motions to the men to move the body near the shelter.) Yes, it is time to take counsel when the birds of the air betray us to our enemies.
Bright Water Simwa, how long will you let your pride destroy us? Simwa Is that a word for a man's wife? Bright Water It is a true one. Do we not know, you and I, that it is but pride that makes you stand out against the friend of the gods? Look at me, Simwa, is it not proved on my body that she spoke truly when she said that you throve only by her blessing? Simwa Can you bear to admit so much? Bright Water Bear? What have I not borne? Have I complained when I dig roots? Have I quivered Simwa What is now so hard? Bright Water To know that you and I know the truth and that you will see the tribe wiped out before you will admit it. Simwa The truth? Bright Water That you were the Chisera's lover for the sake of what she could do for you, and your denial left her no way to prove it except by taking away the help of the gods from us all. Is not that the truth? Simwa Would you have me ashamed before all men? Bright Water When have I not been ashamed since I married you? Simwa Let her alone! They will kill her if she refuses to make medicine and then we shall be rid of her. Bright Water And you would permit that? (He shifts uneasily under her gaze.) Simwa—(With profound entreaty.) Simwa! Simwa What is the witch to me? Bright Water My sister, I think, for she has loved you even as I have, to my sorrow.
Chief (Coming forward.) Let the Council sit. Simwa It wants not plans so much as men to do them. Chief Whatever is in any man's mind for the good of the tribe, let it be delivered. Observe not the rule of the elders, but speak at once. (A moment, during which black looks are cast at Simwa.) Will no one speak? Padahoon Chief and tribesmen, once I gave counsel and you despised it— Chief No more of that. Give counsel now. Padahoon It is the same counsel, but time has not mended the occasion. Penned here on the edge of the precipice we can but starve. We must break through our enemies and strike at their women and their stores. Tavwots Every trail is watched. Not so much as a weasel can go in and out from Toorape and they not know it. Padahoon With so many watchers, then, they cannot have much of a fighting force at any point. In an hour it will be dark; we shall go down by Deer Leap with the women and children, and stay not for fighting, but, fleeing for our lives, break through to their villages— Choco But if they move on us to-night? If the vultures have already betrayed us—even now they may be within earshot? Tavwots If they come up with us before we reach Deer Leap it is to run into the wolf's mouth. Padahoon I have thought of that. To-night they expect us to mourn our dead and go before our gods— Chief So should we. Padahoon That they may think so, leave one behind to sound the medicine drum throughout the night. So they shall fear to attack and expect an easier victory in the morning when we are exhausted with dancing to the gods. Tavwots But he that stays, what shall become of him— Chief He shall die as becomes him (rising)—as becomes a chief of his people.
Padahoon But another—whose counsels we prize less— Chief It is the tribal use. None else too blind for the trail and too feeble for the sortie (with grim humor)—but I can drum. (Solemn grunts of approval.) Padahoon If we win through Deer Leap, we can make terms for you. Tribesmen, what say you? (A pause.) Tavwots What I say is for myself only; but I go not out against the Tecuyas again unless the Chisera has blessed the going. The Council Good counsel; good counsel! He has it! Simwa There are two or three things to the making of fighting men, Tavwots, beside the blessing of women. Tavwots Two or three things, Simwa, that I think you have not: honor to win advantage and wit to keep what you have got. Padahoon As for me, I am with Tavwots; but (he looks at Simwa)—the gods have no favors for unbelievers. Tavwots Nor have we, by the Bear! Indians (Springing up.) Nor have we! No; by the Chief Peace, tribesmen! Tavwots Perhaps we shall have peace when we have a leader against whom neither the gods nor women have a spite. Tribesmen, who shall lead the going out but he who planned it? Indians Hi! Hi! Padahoon! Padahoon! (They fling the collar about his neck. Tavwots hands him the bonnet.) Hi! Hi! The Sparrow Hawk. Padahoon Do not count on me too much with the Chisera; all this time I have kept in camp with my wound I have reasoned with her, but still she refuses me. Chief There shall be an end to that— Padahoon How then—? Chief Who denies service to the tribe in extremity must be dealt with as an enemy. (Consternation.) Choco But a friend of the gods— Tavwots Let the gods save her— Chief There are times when the gods 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!
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—
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 breasts 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 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? Padahoon By whom trouble came into the camp, let it depart. Who prevented the wisdom of the gods at the throwing of the sacred sticks? By whose counsel were our allies of Castac destroyed? Who hardened the Chisera's heart so that she kept not our foes from us? Indians Simwa! Simwa! Padahoon Sons of the Bear, do you think to win favor of the gods when you have one who mocks them in your midst? Would you see the backs of the Tecuyas? Would you win to your homes again? Let Simwa die! Indians Aye, aye. Let Simwa die! A judgment! A judgment! Simwa (Aside to his wife.) My quiver, hand me my quiver! Chief Simwa, as thou art a son to me, I fear the charge is just. But do you entreat the Chisera to go before the gods for us, then will this evil pass. Simwa (Rising.) And if I choose to have it said that when the tribesmen of Sagharawite took a woman to Council, only Simwa stood out against it? Chief Then must I give judgment. Bright Water Simwa! Simwa (Folding his arms.) It shall not be said of me that I have borne to take my life of a woman. The Chisera Whether you can bear it or not, it shall be said of you, for though I am unhappy, I am still the Chisera, and I declare unto you that neither the life nor the death of a broken man can avail to turn the gods. But you, Chief Rain Wind, and you tribesmen of Sagharawite,—if you must visit the loss of my power, let it be on your own heads, for you only are blameworthy. Chief This is no time for riddles, Chisera. The Chisera I mean none. What did Simwa other to me than the occasion allowed him? Was it his fault that he found me alone and love-hungry? Tiawa (Creeping forward.) So I said, so I said from the beginning. She was taught to be a Chisera, but she was born a woman! (Excitement among the women.) Chief Your words are sharp, Chisera. The Chisera The fact is sharper. It has eaten through my bosom. Chief We meant the best—we judged you companioned by the gods. The Chisera Did ever a woman serve them the less because she had dealt with a man? Nay, all the power of woman comes from loving and being loved, and now the bitterest of all my loss is to know that I have never had it.
Bright Water And not you only— The Chisera You—?
Simwa Wife—wife—if she finds the gods again, they will surely kill me. Bright Water Let them. Though I am your wife, I am the Chief's daughter, and the tribe is still something to me. I will save them if I can. Chisera—
Chief Is that my daughter? Tavwots Hush! Perhaps she will move her! Bright Water Do you think yourself aggrieved so much, Chisera? Come, I will match sorrow with you, I and all these (the women surge forward), and the stakes shall be the people. Here is my pride that I throw down, in my bride year to know my husband an impostor. Have you any sorrow to match with that? Wacoba Since you wish a man so much, Chisera, here is mine whom the vultures seek.
Haiwai Would you have a child at your breast, Chisera, here is mine, for my milk is dried with hunger.
Bright Water (Measuring the effect of her words.) Chisera, my breast is as fruitless as yours—but you ... you have ... good medicine. Tiawa Lay hold on the gods, Chisera, these are ills from which man cannot save us!
The Chisera Gone—gone! It is gone from me! Bright Water (Signing to the women to hide the blanket.) By dancing you shall bring it back again—for the sake of the women and children—dance, Chisera!
The Chisera Oh, I have danced until the earth under me is beaten to dust, and my heart is as dry as the dust, and all my songs have fallen And my heart is emptied of all
All the anguish of women,
Tribe Dance, Chisera, dance!
Come, O my power,
Nay, I shall mate with the gods,
Bright Water Simwa, Simwa, what do you do? Simwa No more than the gods will do to me if they hear her. The Chisera This is my song that I make,
Bright Water Chisera, the arrow, the black arrow! (Simwa shoots.) The Chisera (Dying.) Ah, Simwa! (Dies.)
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