The Arrow-Maker: A Drama in Three Acts

Padahoon

Chisera, why does this marriage disturb you?

The Chisera

Padahoon, why should you think it disturbs me?

Padahoon

You have come.

The Chisera

Why should not one maid come to the marriage of another? There is scarce two summers' difference between me and the Chief's daughter.

Padahoon

Yes, but you come in your blanket. Such has not been your custom when you have come among us on errands of healing; then you dressed sumptuously, as befitted one bearing the word of the gods. Now you come like an angry woman who would hide what is in her heart.

The Chisera

(With dignity.) Cover your own heart, Padahoon, lest I ask what mischief breeds in it to bid you observe me so much. I have not forgot that you would have paid me a blanket to be made war leader in the room of Simwa.

Padahoon

(With ugly insinuation.) Ugh! huh! Perhaps I had been as fortunate as the Arrow-Maker, if, instead of giving it, I had offered to share it with you.

The Chisera

Kima! Padahoon, you do tempt me to try if I can curse.

Padahoon

(Conciliatory.) I have no wish to anger the friend of the gods, but I am a plain man wishing good to my campody, and it seems not good to me that Simwa has grown suddenly so great.

The Chisera

(Recovering herself.) What has that to do with the Chisera?

Padahoon

I have known this Simwa since he was first tied in a basket, and, though he has grown to be war leader, I think he is most like a pod of rattleweed that is swollen to twice its size at the end of the season, yet has no more in it than at the beginning. And I do not know how, without the help of magic medicine, he has come to be what he is with so little in him.

The Chisera

The Chief's daughter has trusted him.

Padahoon

She loves him. (During this scene bursts of Indian music and singing have been heard at intervals. It grows louder. Padahoon and Chisera look off.) They come this way, Chisera. You are right. When a man has married so fair a wife, there is not much left to be done for him.

The Chisera

(With bitter irony, as she moves over against Simwa's hut and puts up her blanket.) I am not so sure.

Tiawa

It is Chisera.

Seegooche

(With alarm.) Where is my daughter?

(Bright Water enters with the young girls, laughing and talking. Her hair is braided with golden poppies and falls over her shoulders. She sees the Chisera standing, tall and still, by Simwa's hut, her whole figure shrouded in a blanket, which is drawn up to cover all of her face but the eyes.)

Bright Water

Who is it comes to my wedding uninvited? How her eyes burn upon me!

Seegooche

Hush! She will hear you. It is the Chisera.

Bright Water

The Chisera? Never have I seen her like this. But she has come to bring me a blessing.

Seegooche

Do not speak to her, my daughter; she is not in the humor for it.

Bright Water

Shall I not be courteous to the first guest who has come to my husband's house? Chisera, I am pleased that you have come to bless my marriage.

The Chisera

(Out of her blanket.) Where is Simwa?

Bright Water

He comes soon. (Going to her.) Last night I thought of you, and how you alone, of all Sagharawite, had kept away from my happiness —

Seegooche

Let be, daughter. (Pulling her sleeve.) It is ill stirring a coiled snake. (To the Chisera, with intent to draw her off.) Come this way, Chisera, and I will show you the wedding presents.

The Chisera

(Lowering her blanket a little.) Show me the Arrow-Maker.

(The elder men have entered, among them Rain Wind.)

Chief

What is this?

Tiawa

It is the Chisera asking for Simwa.

Men

Ah! ah! ah – ah!

(Exchanging glances of inquiry and amazement.)

Chief

Who is that behind her?

Wacoba

Padahoon!

Men

Ugh! huh!

Chief

So? Why does she cover her face?

Tiawa

She makes medicine in her blanket.

(The Indians draw close in two groups, the women together and the men on the other side. They watch the Chisera uneasily. Bright Water stands a little apart, the bridesmaids moving timidly toward the elder women.)

The Chisera

(Putting down her blanket.) The Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite is slow to the bridal.

Bright Water

He comes. He comes.

(The young men enter, with Simwa in their midst, painted and befeathered as befits a handsome man on his wedding day. Observing the Chisera, he checks and falters in his walk.)

Simwa

Chisera!

The Chisera

Is it you, Simwa, who wed with the Chief's daughter?

Simwa

You are come, Chisera – (Wholly at a loss.) You are come —

The Chisera

I am come to your marriage, Simwa, though I am not invited.

Bright Water

But now that she is here, Simwa, you will ask her to bless us?

Simwa

(Recovering himself with an effort.) Surely, surely. But the married women have not blessed us yet. (Taking the bride's hand and leading her to the blanket. They seat themselves.) Come, Tiawa, have you no pine nuts in your basket? (With an effort to carry it off jovially.) What! will you have my wife dig roots before her wedding year is out?

(The married women take up their baskets and begin the ceremony of sprinkling the bride with nuts and seeds in token of fruitfulness.)

The Chisera

(Warningly.) Simwa! Simwa!

(The women leave off, huddling together, looking fearfully at the Chisera.)

Seegooche

(Getting between her and Bright Water.) What harm to you, Chisera, if the Arrow-Maker weds where he loves?

The Chisera

(Looking steadily at Simwa.) Aye – where he loves – (Pleadingly.) Simwa! Simwa!

(She drops her blanket and turns away.)

Seegooche

(Lifting her basket to her shoulder again.) Let us go on with the marriage.

Padahoon

(To the company.) If the Chisera knows any reason why this marriage should not go on, should she not say it openly? A word half spoken breeds suspicion faster than flies at killing time.

Chief

What talk is this of reasons? Have I not the disposing of my daughter in marriage? Reason enough, if I wish it so.

Padahoon

That which is most reasonable to men, the gods see otherwise.

(A murmur begins in the camp, but Simwa takes it up instantly.)

Simwa

He is thinking of the war with Castac. Truly, you were not eye to eye with the gods on that occasion, Padahoon.

Padahoon

Were I so sure it was of the gods, I had not stood out so against it.

Chief

Was not Simwa approved of the gods through the mouth of the Chisera?

The Chisera

So you think.

Chief

Is there another Arrow-Maker so skilled between Tehachappi and Tecuya? Are any shafts better fashioned to fly straight to the mark? Is there any hunter knows more surely where the herds feed, or strikes quicker the slot of a deer?

The Chisera

As you think.

Chief

Let be this talk of reasons. This is mere woman's mischief, to nod and wink and to make signs with the eyebrows. A woman would have you think reason enough for marrying if she liked or misliked it. Chisera, this is no matter for the gods, but a plain mating of man and maid.

The Chisera

(Flashing.) Since when have you talked with the gods, that you think to lesson me in their business?

Chief

Since you have been a father, to know reasons for the bestowal of daughters.

(Grunts of appreciation.)

The Chisera

(Letting her blanket slip to her breast.) Know, then, that if these are your reasons, Rain Wind, there is no more meat in them than in the husk of acorns. If good fortune hangs on all Simwa's movements, it is by reason of the medicine I make that binds him in the favor of the Friend.

Simwa

(Leaning on his elbows, with the manner of being quite at ease.) You are very free with your blessing, Chisera, if it is so; for it is well known in the camp that Simwa, the Arrow-Maker, does not believe in charms, nor seek them.

Indians

(Grunting in assent.) Ugh! huh!

The Chisera

(Letting fall her blanket in a burst of indignation.) “Nor seek them!” – Ah! Simwa! Simwa!

(A short pause of embarrassment and consternation ensues. Then Padahoon, in a manner meant to seem impartial —)

Padahoon

The medicine of the Chisera is very powerful, but one must allow a little credit to the gods. Simwa was chosen war leader by the trial of the seven sticks. As the gods willed, they made the sticks to fall. Is it not so, Chisera?

The Chisera

(Sullenly, from her blanket.) I do not know. I did not look. (Letting fall her blanket and speaking proudly.) I had persuaded the Friend to give victory to the war leader. What should I care for the sticks? A day and a night I made medicine, and the sign was sure. I said “Simwa” and the gods confirmed it.

(The Indians remain silent, but draw a little away from Simwa.)

Bright Water

(Rising and turning toward her.) Chisera, why should you make medicine for Simwa?

The Chisera

Chief's daughter, do not ask.

Bright Water

Chief's daughter I am, and wife of the war leader. Why should you concern yourself with his affairs?

The Chisera

(After a pause, with great dignity.) Because he loved me.

Indians

Ah! Ah – ah! Ah!

Simwa

(Laughing.) The Friend of the gods has eaten rattleweed. Does a man love a wild woman who goes muttering and waving her arms, when she should be weaving and grinding meal? Would he take a wander-thought to his bed, and have witless children? Sooner I had a snake in my hut to run and tattle to the gods of me.

Tavwots

(To Padahoon.) Now, if it is true that he owes his fortune to the gods, they have deserted him, else he would not speak so to a jealous woman.

Simwa

(Looking long at the Chisera, haggard and unpainted, her blanket trailing, and then to the Chief's daughter, and back again, all the eyes of the campody following.) Is there any comeliness in a witch, that a man should desire her?

Seegooche

(Alarmed.) Simwa, Simwa! If you have no care for yourself, at least remember my daughter!

Simwa

(Rising.) Have no care, mother. If I do not believe she can bless, neither do you believe that she can curse.

Bright Water

Mother, let be. If this be true that she speaks, I am already cursed.

Simwa

(Going to his wife.) What have we to do with blessings or cursings? The Chisera is unsound in her mind. I have seen her dancing in the hills sometimes where I went to gather eagle's feathers for my arrows, and her madness has made a curious tale of it.

Bright Water

I would I might believe it.

Simwa

(With returning complacency.) Do you find it so hard to have a husband whom other women admire?

Padahoon

Chief and tribesmen, if it be true that Simwa values charms so little, let him declare what it is he keeps sewed in his quiver so precious that he must hide it even on his wedding day.

(Murmurs. The Chisera, in alarm, endeavors to check Padahoon. Simwa turns upon him with a snarl.)

Simwa

Kima! (Wildly.) You cannot prove that I had it of the Chisera!

Padahoon

(Suddenly darting out two fingers from his mouth, moving them rapidly in the manner of a snake's tongue, with a hissing sound.) Snake of two tongues! Now I know you for the man you are, braggart and liar!

Simwa

Coyote whelp!

(Simwa grasps a war weapon, a stone tied in a crotched stick, from the heap of wedding gifts, and smites Padahoon to the earth, standing threateningly over him. The others stiffen into tense attitudes, drawing their blankets tighter, their eyes burning bright. Padahoon draws the knife that hangs in a sheath at his neck.)

Chief

(Putting Simwa back with a hand at his breast.) Peace! Though you are made my son by this day's work, you shall not usurp judgment. (To Padahoon, as Simwa moves slowly back, his weapon lowered.) What charge do you make?

Padahoon

(Rising on his elbow to spit blood.) Thou art a liar, if ever there was one in Sagharawite, and have nothing which is not owed to the Chisera.

Chief

Speak straight, Padahoon, or, by the Bear, I shall let him kill you where you lie.

Padahoon

Three nights after the return from Tecuya, I saw you at the Chisera's house – and again in the rains – and at the time of Taboose.

Chief

Is it so, Chisera?

The Chisera

It is so.

Padahoon

Did you go there for love or profit?

(Simwa lets slip his weapon from his hand to the ground.)

Chief

Simwa, if you were the son of my body, I should not know which to believe.

Simwa

Believe him if you like. (Sullenly.) If a skunk walk in my trail and leave a stink there, shall I go out of my way to deny that it is mine? No doubt the woman is both mad and shameless.

(Murmurs of indignation.)

Seegooche

(Afraid, but furious.) Then if you are shameless, begone! Stay not to vex the marriage of a maiden. Go! Have to do with your gods, and leave my daughter.

Bright Water

Mother! Mother!

The Chisera

Shameless, am I, Seegooche? Then there is one of your blood shall know a greater shame. Great hunter does she think her man? Aye, but she shall come to dig roots for him when he fails of the hunt and be glad of the offal the other women give her for pity. For this I say to you, tribesmen of Sagharawite, that, though I cannot curse, yet I can take back my blessing.

Bright Water

All this is of no account, Chisera. No doubt you can contrive against the fame of Simwa and bespeak the gods to neglect him; I wait to hear what proof you have that he loved you.

Seegooche

Do not vex her, daughter, lest she turn the gods against you also.

Bright Water

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 gods? 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 passing 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 gods, and they have regard to me. Look well to yourself, Simwa. Look well.

CURTAIN

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 gods 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 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!

(Others come out of the rocks to join in the general grief.)

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.

(He goes up among the rocks, and the women huddle wretchedly together watching.)

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 the Chisera come out of the hut. The Chisera's whole appearance is of heartbreak and neglect. She leans against the boulders at the left, holding her blanket close, and answers Padahoon sullenly.)

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 with that: but if the mischief came through them, the gods must repair it.

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.

(She disappears among the rocks to the left, and Padahoon turns to the women who crowd around him anxiously.)

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.

(The women spit between their teeth with sharp hisses.)

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!

(She covers her head with her blanket.)

(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 speak, we women will understand one another.