The Arrow-Maker Part 18

(_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 G.o.ds, 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 un.o.bserved_.)

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?