The Arrow-Maker Part 11

THE CHISERA

Put up your pack, Padahoon, and learn not to think so lightly of the G.o.ds, lest they visit it upon you!

PADAHOON

(_Reluctantly putting up the bribe; after a pause, revolving new measures._) Chisera, this is a man's business which comes before you in the Council. Will you hear man-talk from me?

THE CHISERA

Is it possible the Sparrow Hawk does so much credit to my understanding?

PADAHOON

Chisera, we have had peace now at Sagharawite so many summers that scarcely a man of us besides myself has seen battle; also we are a little outnumbered. Have you thought, Chisera, what will come to Sagharawite if we go out under an untried leader?

THE CHISERA

What will come will be as the G.o.ds determine. What reason have you to think they will favor you more than Simwa?

PADAHOON

It is my experience, Chisera, that the G.o.ds are inclined to the better man. And, look you, Chisera, this is perhaps my last chance to serve my people. Comes another war, if there are enough of us left after this to make another war possible, I shall be too old for leadership. And I have that in me which I would prove before I die.

This is man-talk, Chisera. Do you understand it?

THE CHISERA

I understand that you want greatly this election, but I can do nothing except as the G.o.ds declare. Put up your pack, Padahoon, I have work to do. (_Rising._)

PADAHOON

(_Putting up his pack._) How much did Simwa give you?

THE CHISERA

(_Startled._) Simwa! (_Recovering herself._) The Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite leaves all higher matters where they belong.

PADAHOON

Simwa put trust in the G.o.ds! Simwa believe that by singing and dancing and waving of arms, with a rag of buckskin and a hair of your head and three leaves of a seldom-flowering plant, you can turn the fortunes of war? This will be news for the fighting men, Chisera.

THE CHISERA

(_Quivering, but controlling herself._) Padahoon, now by this I am minded to prove what the G.o.ds can do against tale-bearers and snakes in the gra.s.s! (_Balancing her medicine stick for a moment, she seems on the point of invoking the G.o.ds against him, but thinks better of it._) Nay, but the G.o.ds have greater affairs. (_Sound of the drums in the direction of the camp._) Now I go to prepare strong medicine so that you shall know, Padahoon, how the G.o.ds choose between you and the Arrow-Maker.

(_She goes into the hut and lets fall the curtain._)

(_Enter_ PAMAQUASH, YAVI, _and other youths to prepare for the Council._)

PAMAQUASH

Is the Chisera advised of the Council?

PADAHOON

Even now she prepares herself in the wickiup. Where is the Chief?

PAMAQUASH

He stays only until the fighting men are gathered together.

PADAHOON

I will join them. See that the Chisera is not disturbed before her time. (_He goes out._)

PAMAQUASH

Over there in front of the wickiup, one of you light the medicine fire, but do not light it until the Chisera comes.

(YAVI _and another prepare the fire._)

YAVI

How is it that the Chisera will discover the will of the G.o.ds?

PAMAQUASH

Spread a blanket there, where the Chief and the Chisera will sit--(_To_ YAVI.) By the casting of the seven sacred sticks. As the G.o.ds will they make the sticks to fall in a sign that she can read.

YAVI

Is it so that the Medicine Worker sometimes fails?

PAMAQUASH

Medicine men have died at it before now--and better so, for otherwise they should have died by the law.

YAVI

Is that the law?

PAMAQUASH

Surely, surely. For of what use is an advocate with the G.o.ds if he cannot get to them. It would be so with the Chisera.

(_As the preparations have gone forward, the sound of the drums and rattles, with an occasional subdued whoop, has drawn nearer, and the Fighting Men, led by the_ CHIEF, _in full fighting gear, arrive in single file marching to the drums. The procession halts in the open s.p.a.ce before the_ CHISERA'S _hut._)

CHIEF

Let the Council sit.