The Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three Acts

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 gods 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 gods have said. If the men speak against it, I will stand for you.

Seegooche

Our thanks to you, Chisera, for this kindness.

Tiawa

And though you are a Chisera, and have strange intercourse with the gods, I know you a woman, by this token.

The Chisera

Doubt it not, but go.

Seegooche

Come away, girls.

(They go out, the girls with them. But Bright Water lingers, and comes back to the Chisera.)

Bright Water

Chisera —

The Chisera

Chief's daughter?

Bright Water

Call me by my name.

The Chisera

Bright Water, what would you have of me?

Bright Water

Can you – will you make a charm for one going out to battle whose name is not spoken?

The Chisera

How shall the gods find him out, if he is not to be named?

Bright Water

(Earnestly.) Oh, he is handsome and strong in the shoulders; the muscles of his back are laced like thongs. He is the bravest —

The Chisera

(Laughing.) Chief's daughter, whenever I have made love charms, they have been for men handsome and strong in the back.

Bright Water

(Abashed.) I know not how to describe him.

The Chisera

(Still smiling.) And his name is not to be spoken? (Bright Water continues to look down at her moccasin.) If I had something of his: something he had shaped with his hands or worn upon his person, that I could make medicine upon —

Bright Water

Like this?

(Takes amulet from her neck and holds it out.)

The Chisera

(Taking it.) Did he give you this?

Bright Water

He made it.

The Chisera

(Examining it.) It is skillfully fashioned.

Bright Water

Will it answer?

The Chisera

To make a spell upon? Yes, if you can spare it.

Bright Water

Shall I have it again?

The Chisera

When the time is past for which the spell is made.

Bright Water

Make it, then; a powerful medicine against ill fortune in battle. And this for your pains, Chisera. (Holds out bracelet.)

The Chisera

(Proudly.) I want no gifts. Keep your bracelet.

Bright Water

(With equal pride.) The Chief's daughter asks no favors.

The Chisera

But if a Chisera choose to confer them? (With sudden feeling.) What question is there between us of Chief's daughter and Chisera? We are two women, and young.

Bright Water

(Uncertainly.) The Chisera is the friend of the gods.

The Chisera

And therefore not the friend of any tribeswoman? (Passionately.) Oh, I am weary of the friendship of the gods! If I have walked in the midnight and heard what the great ones have said, is that any reason I should not know what a man says to a maid in the dusk – or do a kindness to my own kind – or love, and be beloved?

Bright Water

(Moved.) Therefore take it (offering bracelet again) as one woman from another – and you shall make a charm for me for love.

The Chisera

(Taking the gift.) I shall make it as though I loved him myself.

Bright Water

(Startled.) Oh, I did not say I loved him.

The Chisera

(Smiling.) No?

Bright Water

(Studying the pattern of her moccasin.) Is it true, Chisera, that you have been called to the Council that decides upon the war leader who is to be chosen in my father's place?

The Chisera

I am to inquire of the gods concerning it.

Bright Water

(Diffidently.) Chisera, I have heard – my father thinks – Simwa, the Arrow-Maker, is well spoken of.

(The first note of the love call is heard far up the cliffs. The Chisera starts and controls herself.)

The Chisera

(Coldly, in dismissal.) Simwa needs the good word of no man. It shall be as the gods determine.

(Goes over to hut. The love call sounds nearer.)

Bright Water

(After a moment's hesitation.) Farewell, Chisera. (She goes.)

The Chisera

(Looking up the trail.) Ah, Simwa, Simwa, what bond there is between us, when, if I but pronounce thy name in my heart, thy voice answers.

(The love call is repeated far up the cliffs above her hut, and she answers it, singing:)

Over-long are thy feet on the trails,        O Much Desired!!Dost thou not hear afar what my blood whispers,Betraying my heart as the whirOf the night-moth's wings betray the lilies?

(As she sings, Simwa, in full war dress, comes dropping down, hand over hand, from the rocks, until he stands beside her.)

Simwa

Did you not hear me when first I called?

The Chisera

I heard you, Most Desired. When do I not? Even when I sleep, my heart wakes to hear you. The women have been with me.

Simwa

You know, then?

The Chisera

That this very night a war party of ours must go out to meet the Castacs.

Simwa

And before that there will be a Council to choose a war leader? Has the Chief told you?

The Chisera

Not since this latest word, but yesterday he bid me prepare a strong medicine, for he thought the election would be made by lot. But I did not tell him, O Much Desired, that I had already made medicine a night and a day to let the choice fall on you. A day and a night by Deer Leap on Toorape, where never foot but mine had been, I made medicine, and the answer is sure.

Simwa

That I shall get the leadership?

The Chisera

When have the gods denied me anything that I asked for your sake, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite?

Simwa

The Padahoon hunts on a cold trail, and there is nothing for me to do?

(He sits on the bank and the Chisera sits below him.)

The Chisera

Beloved, there is much to do, for before the shadow which lies between my feet has grown tall again, I must make medicine for the sake of this war; and I have spent so much on you, the power goes from me. Now, you must put your hand upon my heart, and nurse it warm, so that the people lack nothing of their Chisera.

Simwa

Is that good, Chisera? (Puts his arm about her.)

The Chisera

Very good, Friend of my heart. (She leans upon his arm.)

Simwa

(Quickened by the caress.) Chisera, what did you do before I came?

The Chisera

Oh, then I lived in the dream of you. When I ran in the trails, my heart expected you at every turn, and in the dark of the hut the sense of you brooded on my sleep. But I thought it was all for the gods.

Simwa

(Fatuously.) Until I came.

The Chisera

Did I tell you, Simwa, that day when first you found me dancing in the sun – you had been gathering eagle's feathers for your arrows, do you remember? – I thought that day that you were of the gods yourself, for I was sick with longing, and the spring was in my blood.

Simwa

And when I came again, what did you think?

The Chisera

That you were the man most deserving their favor, and that all the medicine I had learned until then was merely that I might persuade them for your sake.

Simwa

(Sitting up.) Chisera, when you go up to the Friend of the Soul of Man, you cannot be always asking for the tribespeople. Do you not sometimes ask for yourself?

The Chisera

What should I ask for when I have your love?

Simwa

For friends, perhaps, who are to be rewarded, or those who have done you injuries? (Watching her.)

The Chisera

(Laughing.) Once, Simwa, before I was sure of you, I made a singing medicine to draw you from the camp. And you came, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, you came. (Laying her hands on his bosom.) Did you not feel me draw you?

Simwa

Often and often, as it were a tie-rope in my bosom between us. (Letting go her hands and stretching himself preparatory to rising.) But I did not think it was your medicine.

The Chisera

What then?

Simwa

(Rising and walking about.) Your beauty and the wonder of your dancing.

The Chisera

Tell me, Simwa, in the beginning I know you did not believe; but now you understand the power I have from the Friend of the Soul of Man?

Simwa

Surely; now that I am about to be made war leader by means of it.

The Chisera

(Rising and going back to the feathering of the prayer-stick.) But I have heard the women gossiping at the spring —

Simwa

What did they say?

The Chisera

That Simwa does not believe in charms and scoffs at the gods.

Simwa

That was true (recovering) – once. But now that I am become the most notable arrow-maker in Sagharawite —

The Chisera

Now – now you do not scoff at the Chisera?

Simwa

(Embarrassed.) But it is not always well for a man to say what he thinks. If I were to tell in the campody whence my good fortune is, would not Padahoon do me some mischief for it?

The Chisera

But, Simwa, am I never to come to you as other women to the wickiups of their husbands?

Simwa

What need, Chisera, when I come so often to yours?

The Chisera

The need of women to serve openly where they love.

Simwa

But what service could you do me when you had lost the respect of the tribesmen? You know the tribal custom. It is not for the friend of the gods to dig roots and dress venison.

(Throws himself on the bank beside her.)

The Chisera

I have not found the gods any the less friendly since I have loved, Arrow-Maker; and I know not why it should seem strange to others that I should know love as – as we have known it. Only to-day the girls of the village came to me to buy a charm to keep their lovers safe in war. There was not one but dared to ask, even though she would not speak her lover's name for bashfulness. See, one of them gave me this to make medicine upon.

Simwa

(Taking it.) Bright Water gave you this?

The Chisera

(Surprised.) How did you know?

Simwa

I thought you said – that is, I have seen her wear it. Did she tell you from whom she had it?

The Chisera

Not by his name, but by the way he looked to her.

Simwa

How was that?

The Chisera

As every lover looks to every maid – tall and strong and straight of back. Even as you look to me, Beloved.

Simwa

(Relieved, giving back the amulet.) May your medicine preserve him. And, as for me, Chisera, I wish I could persuade the tribesmen to look as favorably on me as you do.

The Chisera

But you have no enemies.

Simwa

The Sparrow Hawk, without doubt. Could you give me a curse for him?

The Chisera

(Rising.) Ah, you should not have asked me that. Never since my father died have I thought to regret that he did not teach me the making of evil medicine. Would I had all the curses in the world! (Turning piteously to him.) But you do not love me any the less because I have not one little, little curse to give you?

Simwa

No, it is nothing. No curse can reach me past your blessing. But I would not have thought the old man would leave you wholly unprotected. Why, even I could wrong you, and, without a curse (trying to speak lightly) you could not punish me for it.

The Chisera

If no one does me no more wrong than you, Simwa, I need no cursing. But, in truth, my father did give me – Ah, now I have thought of another gift for you, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite! Before he died, the medicine man, my father – did I not tell you? (she rummages eagerly in her medicine bag) – gave me this magic arrow against my evil hour. (Drawing it out.) See how heavy it is, and how the blood drain is cut in a medicine writing round and round the shaft.

Simwa

What magic has it?

The Chisera

That however far and feebly it is shot, it flies straight to the mark, over hills and high mountains, in the dark or light, and death rides upon its shaft. (Laughing.) Why, you could kill even me with this arrow. See, I have tied it in your quiver, so that you may not mistake it and shoot it away on any slight occasion. It is my latest gift to you, Beloved.

Simwa

Thanks for the gift, Chisera. Now give me the quiver. I must join the others before the Council. The fighting men were painting their faces when I came.

(A war-whoop is heard at a distance.)

The Chisera

I hear shouting.

Simwa

I must go quickly. I would not have Padahoon find me here.

The Chisera

Yes, he would brood upon it like a sage hen, until he had hatched mischief. Oh, Simwa, though I have prayed the gods until they and I are weary, to keep you safe in this war, yet my heart shakes to see you go. There is a beating in my breast as of the wings of vultures after battle.

Simwa

You have wearied yourself too much making medicine. If you have no more faith in the gods, have a little in me. If I can go out of Sagharawite as war leader, I shall come back with the spoil of Castac. (Shouts are heard nearer than before.) Now I go quickly! (He turns carelessly from her lingering caress and crosses to the toyon, starting back at the sight of Padahoon, moving noiselessly through the chaparral, blanketed and watchful.) What! Has the Sparrow Hawk eaten when-o-nabe that he must visit the Chisera on the eve of Council?

Padahoon

I come from the Chief – but I had not expected to find Simwa, the scoffer, before me.

Simwa

(Uneasily.) I have been gathering eagles' feathers for my arrows under Toorape.

Padahoon

Quite so – and are not the first hunter to find the shortest way past the house of the Medicine Woman. But it is well known that Simwa seeks no charms for himself. The Chief has been asking for you.

(He passes on to the Chisera, standing stiffly with strained attention by her hut. Simwa hesitates, recovers himself, and passes out with the appearance of indifference.)

Chisera, Rain Wind, Chief of Sagharawite, greets you, and bids me say that at the moth-hour he will be here with the fighting men to invite the favor of the gods in this war with Castac.

The Chisera

And before that – ?

Padahoon

There will be a Council —

The Chisera

To choose a war leader.

Padahoon

So the Chief has said.

The Chisera

And it is the purpose of the Council to put this election to the gods?

Padahoon

It may come to that – (A pause.) Chief Rain Wind is a dotard. What should a woman know of these matters?

The Chisera

All that the gods are thinking in their hearts.

Padahoon

The gods, aye! But what word have the gods of the affairs of Sagharawite except as you carry it? Now between us – Chisera —

The Chisera

What is there between us, Padahoon, that our talk should be otherwise than appears at the Council?

Padahoon

There should be a matter of two doeskins, tanned white and fine (he produces them from under his blanket) if the gods are friendly. Look, Chisera!

(He spreads them out before the Chisera, who is seated by the hut, feathering a prayer-stick.)

Padahoon

(Dropping the doeskins negligently.) Oh, the man can make an arrow.

The Chisera

But not lead a war party?

Padahoon

A war leader, Chisera, should be neither old and timid, nor young and overbold, but of middle years and discretion; not so hot in his heart that his head cannot reason with it, nor so reasonable that it cools his heart.

(As he stands again, his hands are folded inside his arms; he is not so sure of his errand.)

The Chisera

Like … Padahoon.

Padahoon

(Wheedling.) What will the gods think of a blanket of the Navajoes (he spreads it out before her) – thick and fine – and four strings of shells – and a cake of mesquite meal – ?

The Chisera

Are the gods a-cold, Padahoon, that you bring them a blanket? Is there hunger in their camp, think you?

Padahoon

Let the things stay in yours, Chisera; they will remind you to speak well of me when you go before the Friend of the Soul of Man.

The Chisera

Put up your pack, Padahoon!

Padahoon

It is a little matter, Chisera; a handful of sticks thrown on the ground. What should the gods care for a handful of sticks? And the blanket is very thick. Shall I leave it a little while, that you may admire it?

The Chisera

Put up your pack, Padahoon, and learn not to think so lightly of the gods, 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 gods determine. What reason have you to think they will favor you more than Simwa?

Padahoon

It is my experience, Chisera, that the gods 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 gods 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 gods! 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 gods can do against tale-bearers and snakes in the grass! (Balancing her medicine stick for a moment, she seems on the point of invoking the gods against him, but thinks better of it.) Nay, but the gods 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 gods 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 gods?

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 gods 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 gods 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 space before the Chisera's hut.)

Chief

Let the Council sit.

(Eleven of the elders seat themselves in a circle about the fire, turning toward the Chief. The others stand or sit attentively in the background. The Chief at the fire hands the ceremonial pipe to Yavi who lights it. Rain Wind blows a puff of smoke to all the gods, returning to his place in the Council; the pipe passes from hand to hand; when it has passed all about, each tribesman blowing smoke and saluting, the Chief rises and stands before the Chisera's hut.)

Chisera, Chisera, come to Council!

The Chisera

(Advancing to his side.) Rain Wind, Chief of Sagharawite, what will you have of me?

(Pamaquash lights the medicine fire.)

Chief

To carry a matter too hard for us before the Friend of the Soul of Man.

The Chisera

Nothing that men contrive in their hearts is too hard for the gods. Speak, then!

(Goes and sits beside the Chief.)

Chief

(Rising.) Tribesmen, for as many years as a fir tree needs to bear cones, I have been Chief in Sagharawite. Now I am old, and, like a badger, see only my own trail (grunts of dissent), and my legs carry me no farther than my eyes see. Therefore, since there is war with Castac concerning the piñon trees which are ours (grunts and exclamations), it is right you have a younger man to lead you. But, since it has never happened that there must be a war leader chosen while there is a chief alive and sitting in Council, I think it well to inquire how the gods stand toward us. Tribesmen, what do you say? (Sits with great dignity.)

Choco

(Rising and saluting the Chief with lifted hand. Speaking with great deliberation and winning sober approval.) Chief Rain Wind has said. The occasion is strange and the candidates of such diverse but equal merit that it is impossible for a just man to choose between them. Let the Chisera carry it to the gods.

Chief

This is truth which Choco says – whom the gods will favor they favor. They are not greatly bound to the choice of men.

The Council

Good counsel! good counsel! (Assent from the bystanders.)

Tavwots

(Continuing, with earnestness.) Tribesmen, I am not myself of two minds in this business. I speak freely for Padahoon according to our custom which is, without discredit to the Arrow-Maker, for the leadership of the elder. But at least let us remember that the gods have high affairs; they are not always listening to the gossip of the camp-fire and hut. What word have they of Sagharawite except as the Chisera carries it? If we put the choice to them, let her know what we are thinking in our hearts. Let Simwa and Sparrow Hawk declare it so that we and the gods shall know how they stand toward the conduct of this war. I have said. (Seats himself amid general approval.)