No matter, mother. What Simwa bears, I can bear. What proof, Chisera?

THE CHISERA

What proof?

(_She turns toward_ SIMWA, _faltering. He smiles contemptuously._)

BRIGHT WATER

That Simwa loved you.

THE CHISERA

(_Slowly, her eyes on_ SIMWA.) He came to my hut--in the night--Chief's daughter (_boldly_), even as he comes this night to yours.

BRIGHT WATER

(_Impatiently._) But did he love you?

THE CHISERA

He made me so believe. (_Looking about and noting the lack of conviction._) How else had he held me, since last the poppies bloomed, a lure to snare the favor of the G.o.ds? Does he say he was not blessed? Aye, twice blessed. (_She takes from her bosom the amulet._) Was it not this you gave me to make medicine upon, to keep your lover safe in war? Twice blessed he was; but, as I made my blessing, so do I break it.

(_Drops the amulet and grinds it underfoot_.)

INDIANS

(_Moving uneasily._) Ah! Ah!

THE CHISERA

And this is the proof that I speak truly. From this day, whoever brings me arrows shall have medicine upon them without price, and who would have news of the pa.s.sing of the deer shall have it for the asking. Only Simwa shall have nothing but his own wit and the work of his hands, and by what befalls, you shall know the truth.

BRIGHT WATER

By this I know the truth! You never loved him, or you would not now betray him.

THE CHISERA

(_Moving toward the trail._) And you, Bright Water, that think to lie in your husband's arms this night, know that I have lain there before you. And you shall not dare to laugh as a bride laughs, lest it be to him my voice in the dusk; and if he turns and sighs in his sleep, you shall wonder if he dreams of the Chisera. Long and anxiously you shall look in the trail when he is late from the hunt, and the men shall mock him that he could not keep the blessing he had got.

(BRIGHT WATER _turns despairingly and sinks on the ground, holding her mother by the knees and sobbing bitterly. All the Indians draw away from_ SIMWA, _leaving him standing, discomfited, in the middle of the camp. All look with awe and dread at the_ CHISERA. _She produces a small medicine stick from under her blanket and twirls it with menace. Going._) As for you, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, though I cannot curse, yet am I the friend of the G.o.ds, and they have regard to me. Look well to yourself, Simwa. Look well.

CURTAIN

ACT THIRD

ACT THIRD

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 G.o.ds grant it be good news!

(PADAHOON, _weary and with disordered dress, comes clambering up the face of the cliff._)

YAVI

(_Calling down in a whisper._) What news?

TIAWA

Are the G.o.ds still against us?