The Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three Acts

Old Men

Good counsel! Good counsel!

Tribesmen

Simwa! Padahoon! The Arrow-Maker! Padahoon!

Chief

Padahoon, you have the more years; say what you will do. And do you, Chisera, bear it well in your heart as you go up before the Friend of the Soul of Man.

The Chisera

The trail of the gods is hard and none may walk therein save those that walk sincerely. Speak, then!

Padahoon

(Rising.) Chief and tribesmen, you know me. What I think in my heart, I say; and what I say I do. The piñon trees are ours, since the time of our father's fathers (general assent), and this is a vain fight for the men of Castac. Inasmuch as they have crossed our borders, they do evilly, but they are also Paiutes, as we are, and sons of the Bear. Aforetime when the Tecuyas came against us, they were as our brothers. Now, were I war leader, I should leave them at Pahrump and, going up behind the ridge of Toorape, strike at their villages. When we have their women and children and their stores, we can make terms with our brothers of Castac. So shall we save our honor and our allies.

Indians

Good counsel! Ugh! Huh! Padahoon! Good counsel!

Chief

Speak, Simwa!

Simwa

(Rising.) Shall I call a thief my brother, and is a poacher my fellow that I should respect him? Sons of the Bear are the men of Castac? Aye, bastard sons, and the coyote is their mother. (Grunts and cries of approval.) The Castacs have filled up our springs and driven our deer. They have stalked our hunters in the hills. (Grunts.) Aye, but we have given the stalkers arrows of ours to keep. (Grunts of satisfaction.) Shall we go after our arrows, men of Sagharawite, or shall we wait until our “brothers” of Castac come and stroke us? I am not so old as Padahoon, nor so wise, but, by the Bear that fathered us, were I war leader for the space of one moon, there would be no more men of Castac to trouble our harvest.

Young Men

Simwa! Simwa! The Arrow-Maker!

Old Men

Padahoon! Padahoon!

Chief

Tribesmen, the wisdom of Padahoon is sound, and such as every man has in his own head; but the speech of Simwa is a water of mirage about our understanding. Shall we try what the gods will do? (Nods and grunts of approval.)

Old Men

The gods – the Chisera – the Chisera!

Chief

The best of the spoil of Castac is yours, Chisera, if the choice be fortunate.

The Chisera

(Rising to begin.) I want no spoil; this is also my quarrel. How will you have the venture tried?

Indians

The sticks! The sacred sticks!

(The Chisera produces the sticks from her medicine bag, and hands them to one of the Old Men. To each of the others who will dance with her (two or three) she gives a fetish from her bag. They have already put on appropriate headdresses and are prepared for dancing. She motions the rattles to begin. Behind her are the Old Men, with the drums and rattles; on each side, the Fighting Men seated on the ground. The dance begins, the Chisera singing. The Old Men keep up a crooning accompaniment; from time to time the Fighting Men join the singing and exhibit a growing excitement as the dance progresses. At intervals, one and another of them, leaps to his feet and joins the dance. At the last, the Chisera, whirling rapidly, falls to the ground. Instantly the rattles are stopped, and the people wait in suspense the word of the gods. The women are seen to steal up through the toyon bushes. The Chisera lifts herself slowly on one elbow, as if waking from a drugged sleep. She stretches out her hand for the sacred sticks. She drops them with a quick turn of the wrist, gathers them up and drops them again, seeking for an augury. She throws up the arm with the medicine stick and begins to chant.)

The ChiseraThe bows of Castac shall be broken.The bowstring shall break asunder.The bows of thy foes shall be broken and the vultures come to the battle.

(Excitement and confusion.)

Indians

The omen, the omen! the war leader!

The Chisera(Chanting)The Maker of Arrows shall lead you.He that makes arrows of eagles' feathers,Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, he shall lead you,Simwa shall break the bows of Castac.Tribesmen

Simwa!

(The Indians break into a great shout for Simwa. Rain Wind puts a collar of bears' claws about Simwa's neck, lifts his war-bonnet and places it on his head. Simwa raises his war-club with a great shout, dancing about the half-prostrate form of the Chisera, the Fighting Men one by one falling into the dance with wild exultant movements, chanting.)

The bows of Castac shall be broken!The bowstring shall break asunder!He shall break the bows of Castac!

(As they pass out on the war trail shouting, the women are seen to come to the help of the Chisera.)

CURTAIN

ACT SECOND

Scene. —The campody of Sagharawite, three months later, near the new wickiup of the Arrow-Maker. At the right, the house of Rain Wind, and behind all a spring under a clump of dwarf oaks. A little trail runs between stones to connect the Arrow-Maker with the rest of the campody, and beyond it the valley rises gently to the Sierra foothills, brooding under the spring haze. A little to the fore of Simwa's house lies a great heap of blankets, baskets, and camp utensils, displayed to the best advantage, the wedding dower of the Chief's daughter. By her father's house Bright Water is being dressed for bridal by her young companions. They braid her hair, paint her face, tie her moccasins, and arrange her beads over the robe of white doeskin; they laugh as they work and are happily important as is the custom of bridesmaids. The older women are winnowing grain and grinding at the metate.

At the left and front, Simwa, Tavwots, and others are gambling with dice made of halves of black-walnut hulls, filled with pitch; the number indicated by bits of shell embedded in the pitch. They are shaken in a small basket and turned out on a basket plaque.

The older men look on, smoking. Tavwots is broad-faced and merry, and does not neglect to ogle the girls at intervals, which causes them to giggle and hide their heads in their blankets. The men have on their holiday dress, especially the younger companions of Simwa.

Tavwots

(Throwing.) Five!

Simwa

(Throwing.) And five again!

Indians

Hi! Hi!

Tavwots

Four!

Simwa

Seven! (Exclamations.)

Seegooche

(Bringing a blanket.) Here, let us spread the blanket where the newly married pair shall sit when first my daughter comes to her husband's house.

(The women assist her, spreading it in front of Simwa's house.)

Tiawa

And this time next year, may you be a grandmother.

Seegooche

I pray so. To-morrow I shall go to the Chisera and get a charm to make it sure.

Wacoba

Does not the Chisera come to the wedding?

Seegooche

I wished it so, but Simwa has no faith in magic medicine. He thinks we show her too much respect because of her mumblings and wavings of arms.

Wacoba

It would have been neighborly to invite her.

Tiawa

I should be afraid lest some mischief came of this neglect.

Seegooche

So am I; but Simwa would not have her asked.

(She passes to her own hut and brings out grain and pine nuts, with which the other women fill their ceremonial baskets.)

Tiawa

No doubt Simwa feels that the gods have done so much for him that he can afford to dispense with an advocate.

Haiwai

(Who has approached unnoticed.) Small wonder he thinks so when you remember how he brought our men back scatheless with the spoil of Castac. Seegooche, I bring the best of my share to grace your daughter's wedding. (Offers basket.)

Seegooche

(Taking it and handing it about.) My thanks to you. (Noticing the papoose which she carries strapped in a basket at her back.) And who is this that comes to my house uninvited?

Haiwai

Nay, but he came to mine but five days since; and already he grips like a man! (Showing him about proudly.)

Tiawa

Hey, little warrior!

Tuiyo

Ah, let me have him, Haiwai! I will hold him carefully.

(Still seated, she reaches up her arms for the child and coos over it.)

Bright Water

Let me!

(Takes the basket from Tuiyo and rocks the basket, crooning.)

Hey, little dove, hush, little dove,'Tis the wind rockingThy nest in the pine tree.Hey, little dove.White Flower

Chief's daughter, do you think you will be able to do so well by your husband?

(Bright Water gives back the child to its mother in great confusion.)

Seegooche

Do not plague her. (The women return to their work.) It is the way with maids, the nearer they are to mothering the less they wish to hear of it.

Tiawa

Still I would see the Chisera if I were you. It is a pity she is not invited.

Tuiyo

(Painting Bright Water.) Tell me, Seegooche, do I put the white on her cheeks too, or only on the forehead.

Seegooche

(Alarmed.) No, no white at all, not on her wedding day. It is an evil omen.

Tuiyo

(Wiping it off hastily.) Then I will take it off again. All the misfortune be on my head.

Bright Water

Never fear, mother, I am so defended by happiness no evil could get near me.

White Flower

Besides, the bride of Simwa need fear no omens. The luck of her husband will protect her.

Tuiyo

(With a final touch.) There, come to the spring and see how lovely you are. (The girls all rise.)

Tavwots

That's bad medicine you make for us unmarried men.

Bright Water

(Standing forth in her bridal array.) Is it so bad, Simwa?

(Simwa answers with his eyes.)

Tavwots

Already he is speechless, and I have staked him my collar of elks' teeth as a charm against it.

Bright Water

Tavwots, you have eaten meadowlarks' tongues. If you had a wife, you would keep her in a gambling basket. (At the spring.) Now I need only flowers for my hair. Let us go get them. (The girls go out.)

Tavwots

(Throwing down his collar of elks' teeth.) By the Bear, Simwa, I do not know how it is you persuade the gods to be always on your side. First you are made war leader, then you marry the Chief's daughter, and now you have my collar of elks' teeth to top all.

Simwa

(Gathering up the stakes.) Will you take a chance to have it back again?

Tavwots

I would, if I had anything to stake you; but my luck has left me little but my shirt.

Simwa

I will play you for that.

Tavwots

Not until after the wedding. (Rises.)

Simwa

As you like. Your shirt against the collar. Do you play, friends?

First Indian

Not I.

Yavi

Nor I. The luck is all to Simwa. (All rise.)

Tavwots

Yes. One would think he had been courting the Chisera.

Simwa

(Who has risen, turning sharply.) How?

Tavwots

I said I could not guess how you manage to be always winning, unless you have made love to the Chisera, and she has persuaded the gods for you. (Slapping him on the back.) Why, this is the first time you were ever accused of love-making and looked sourly over it!

Simwa

(Smirking.) No fault of mine if the women like a good figure.

Tavwots

No advantage either from this time henceforward. Here comes Chief Rain Wind to marry you to his daughter.

Chief

(Issuing from his wickiup in full holiday dress, blanketed.) Where is she?

Seegooche

She gathers flowers with her young companions. She comes presently.

Chief

Bid the married women prepare to bless the bridal. Are the guests all here?

Seegooche

Choco and the others who went out to hunt early this morning have not yet returned.

Chief

I would speak with them when they come. And Padahoon?

Tavwots

I do not know, unless he visits the Chisera.

Simwa

(Startled.) Padahoon?

Tavwots

So often does he go to her house, if he did not have a wife already, I should think he had an eye to her. The best cut of my next kill against my shirt, Simwa, that he goes to find ways to make good against you the loss of the leadership.

Simwa

(Complacently.) Padahoon cannot forgive me the victory at Castac.

Tavwots

Well, if the Tecuya Creek tribes keep up their quarreling, we are all likely to wish you had not killed off so many of their fighting men.

Simwa

I shall deal with the Tecuyas as I did with Castac.

Tavwots

The gods were with you. Next time Padahoon may win the Chisera to be on his side.

Simwa

(Suspiciously.) What do you mean? Am I not war leader of Sagharawite?

Tavwots

So long as we and the gods approve you. But if I were the gods, and the Chisera came dancing before me —

Chief

Tavwots, your wit misleads you. The Chisera is not a subject for jest or the favor of men; she is an advocate with the gods for us.

Tavwots

Well, the gods have a handsome advocate. I should give her anything she asked. (Looking off.) See, bridegroom, the girls are dancing, and you not with them! (Simwa and several of the younger men go out.)

Chief

(Detaining Tavwots.) Tavwots, what do you know of this Tecuya Creek matter?

Tavwots

More than I like to spoil a feast-day with.

Chief

Nevertheless, tell it.

Tavwots

They have forbidden all the campodies east of us from fishing in the river. Also they watch all the trails toward Toorape and take toll of passers.

Chief

On what grounds?

Tavwots

None, I think, except that they are able. A bowman of Tehachappi inquired of me how many fell at Castac, and I, thinking to glorify the tribe, – I told him.

Chief

What said he to that?

Tavwots

What I should have expected. He grinned upon me like a sick coyote and said, “They are poor allies, the dead.”

Indians

Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!

Chief

Here are the hunters. They will know if there is mischief stirring.

(Enter from the left, Choco, Pamaquash, and others, carrying game.)

Tavwots

And with the Arrow-Maker's own luck!

Choco

So far as the quarry goes.

Chief

But not for the hunters – ?

Choco

(To him.) Send the younger men away. I have a word for you.

Chief

You, Fleet-Foot, Yavi, all of you – carry the game to the women and help them dress it for the feast. (The young men take up the game and go out, leaving Choco, Tavwots, and the Old Men with the Chief.) Let us hear your word, Choco.

Choco

(Taking a long arrow from under his blanket.) What make you of that?

Chief

(Examining it.) Tecuya Creek, surely.

Old Men

(Handing it about.) Tecuya – Tecuya.

Chief

Where did you find it?

Choco

Where I like least to see it – in the body of a friend.

Men

Ah – a – a – ah!

Chief

What friend?

Choco

Winnedumah. He went out to the hunt yesterday and was to have joined us this morning at Deer Leap. I found him by the crossing of the trails, with that through him.

Chief

Bad business. What say you it means?

Choco

That the Tecuyas think we dare not avenge it.

Chief

Dare not! Simwa must hear of this, but not on his wedding day. To-morrow we will take counsel. I would I might have a word with Padahoon.

Tavwots

He is there on the barranca; I will call him. Oh – ee, Padahoon!

Padahoon

(Appearing on the barranca.) What now? (Ironically.) Can not the Arrow-Maker so much as take a wife without calling all the tribes to witness? (Coming down the barranca, noting their gravity.) What has happened? Is the Council called?

Chief

For to-morrow. In the mean time there is this. (Handing up the arrow.)

Padahoon

(Standing halfway down the bank as he examines it.) An arrow of Tecuya. Blood? Blood of Sagharawite?

Tavwots

Of Winnedumah.

Padahoon

(Blazing forth.) By the Bear that fathered us! It is likely to prove an open wound in the honor of Sagharawite. Not ten sleeps have passed since the last of our fighting men returned from the killing of our blood brothers, and already we have a witness to our folly! The Tecuyas are three to one of us.

Pamaquash

But the luck of Simwa is more than three times that of Tecuya.

Padahoon

The fortunes of Simwa! What are they but the accidents of time and weather. A landslip on the trail, a rainstorm that wetted their bowstrings and left ours dry. The damp has slacked your wits, Rain Wind, that you are not able to distinguish between the Arrow-Maker and his luck.

Chief

The witness of the gods in his favor.

Padahoon

The gods are not always so attentive. Where was the luck of the Arrow-Maker that it has not saved us from this? (Shaking the arrow as he descends.) Show me something which we owe to Simwa if you would have me trust in him.

Chief

I will show you the pit of your own heart, Padahoon, and the adder that bites at the root of it. You are jealous of the fame and the office of Simwa, but you shall not sink your venom in the minds of the Fighting Men.

Padahoon

I would I could sting them to understand that if Tecuya comes against us, they will not trust so much to luck as to war craft.

Chief

Understand yourself that whatever comes of this business of Tecuya, Simwa is still war leader. You are too old a man, Padahoon, to be told that whoever lessens the credit of the war leader saps at the strength of Sagharawite.

Padahoon

Aye, I am an old man and in my dotage when I seek to set years of good faith and experience against the fortunate moments of a fool.

Chief

The Chief has spoken. No more of this until the Council. In the mean time, not a word to the women. It is an ill omen for a feast.

(He goes out, followed by all but Tavwots, Choco, Pamaquash, and Padahoon.)

Tavwots

(Laying his hand on the shoulder of Padahoon.) By the Bear, Padahoon, I have been on your side in this matter heretofore, but now I think the Chief is right. It is an ill business setting men against the war leader in time of danger.

Padahoon

You too, Tavwots – you have looked at the lure of the Arrow-Maker's luck and do not see the snare which his want of wit spreads for your feet?

Tavwots

(Uncertainly.) But if the fortune of Simwa is not his own, whence is it?

Padahoon

Tell me, Tavwots, when another man seeks favor from the gods, by whom does it come?

Tavwots

By the Chisera. But what —

Padahoon

On the morning of the election, when I went from the Chief to advise the Chisera, I met Simwa by her hut.

Pamaquash

I also met him when I came back from Leaping Water to bring word to the women – he said he had been gathering eagles' feathers for his arrows.

Padahoon

So he said to me. Feathers for arrows when every man had his quiver full at his back!

Tavwots

But Simwa puts no faith in magic medicine. Why, he has not even asked the Chisera to his wedding!

Padahoon

No, not even though the Chief's daughter urged it. (A pause full of significance.)

Tavwots

No, no! Padahoon! Unless the Chisera owned to it herself, I would not believe it. The Chief is right. The wound of your jealousy festers and corrupts your tongue. (Turning his back on Padahoon he claps Pamaquash on the shoulder.) Come and dance!

Choco

(Gathering his blanket around him.) Even if the Chisera owned it, I would not believe it.

(The men move in the direction of the merrymaking and are met by the younger people, laughing and shouting for Simwa. Padahoon watches them bitterly for a while, and, revolving many things, draws his blanket up and departs in the direction of the Chisera's hut.)

Pamaquash

Come, Arrow-Maker, a speech for your bridal. (Laughter and approval.)

Simwa

(Drunk with popularity.) The war leader loves deeds rather than talking.

Tavwots

We have seen what your fighting is like. Give us a speech.

Simwa

Friends and tribesmen, the fortune of Simwa is Simwa. Does the Bear take weapons against the woodchuck, and shall the sons of the Bear make charms against their enemies? The spoil of Castac is in our camp (cheers) and our young men hunt within their borders. (Applause.) If any of the tribes inquire where are the fullest harvests, the fattest deer, the prettiest maidens (he flings his blanket about Bright Water), bid him look for the land of Simwa the Arrow-Maker. (Shouts and laughter.)

Young Men

Come, now, a dance, a dance! Tavwots, dance for us!

(The cries increasing, Tavwots is pushed forward to dance, others cry for Pamaquash and Yavi, who join Tavwots, laughing, to dance the blanket dance, all the others singing and keeping time with swaying bodies. The girls hover about the dancers, and as at certain points in the dance the Young Men attempt to cast their blankets about the heads of the girls, they duck and squeal. Finally, amid much laughter, each dancer captures a girl, rubbing his cheek against hers, the Indian equivalent of a kiss. With great merriment the crowd moves off in the direction of the mesa, disclosing Padahoon and the Chisera, who have come up unobserved.)

Padahoon

Come this way, Chisera. The girls are out on the mesa, dancing with the bride, and the women are grinding at the metate for the marriage feast.

The Chisera

But where is Simwa?

Padahoon

With the bride, no doubt. Here is his wickiup, and here the marriage dower beside it.

The Chisera

All this?

Padahoon

Never so many gifts went to a wedding in Sagharawite. Every woman whose man came back safe from the war gave a basket or a blanket, and Simwa gave all of his share of the spoil of Castac.

The Chisera

And that, I doubt not, is bitter for you to see, Padahoon.

Padahoon

Why, as to that, Chisera, it is good to see spoil of our foes in the camp; but the fighting men of Castac were our blood brothers. See, here is the blanket where the newly married pair shall sit to receive the blessings of the fruitful women.

The Chisera

(Bitterly.) But not the blessing of the Chisera. Never before, in my time, has there been a bride of Sagharawite but sent to ask my blessing.

Padahoon

Aye, but Simwa does not believe in charms and spells. (The Chisera seems about to break out angrily, but restrains herself. Padahoon watches her narrowly as he speaks.) Look, Chisera! Is not the bride fair? Fit to set a man beside himself with desiring?

The Chisera

She is but a child. Her breasts are scarcely grown. No fit mate for a war leader.

Padahoon

(Watching her.) But a man so well furnished with wisdom need not look for it in a wife. Is it not so, Chisera?

The Chisera

Padahoon, why do you tell me this?

Padahoon

(With the appearance of candor.) As often as I came to your house to get medicine, you asked me for news of the campody, and seemed best pleased with news of Simwa, the war leader; and with reason, since he has become the most notable man of the Paiutes. Yet, when I told you he was to be married to-day to the Chief's daughter, you were slow to believe. Now tell me if I have lied, Chisera.

The Chisera

You have not lied, Padahoon, but Simwa, he has lied. How long have you known this?

Padahoon

Since the time of Taboose.

The Chisera

And why not told me?

Padahoon

How could I think the Chisera wished to know? It was a thing you might have heard from the women grinding meal or weaving baskets. But the Chisera does not often come to the village, except there is illness.

The Chisera

I have no time to gossip with the women. I have to go before the gods for them and their children.

Padahoon

And now that you are told, what will you do?

The Chisera

Is there so much to do?

Padahoon

Only to give him your blessing.

The Chisera

(Bitterly.) Did I not give him that at Castac?

(Begins to search about among Simwa's effects.)

Padahoon

What seek you, Chisera?

The Chisera

The arrow! the quiver! Surely Simwa does not dance at his wedding wearing his quiver?

Padahoon

No; but when he is not wearing it, no man knows where he hides it.

The Chisera

(Searching.) The quiver! I must find the quiver!

Padahoon

'Tis said he has a magic arrow in it of such power he would have it fall into no man's hands.

The Chisera

(Muttering.) Aye, the arrow; the black arrow.