The Arrow-Maker Part 23

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 att.i.tudes, 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 G.o.ds, 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 G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds against you also.

BRIGHT WATER