Part 10 (1/2)

You have wearied yourself too much making medicine. If you have no more faith in the G.o.ds, 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 pa.s.ses on to the_ CHISERA, _standing stiffly with strained attention by her hut._ SIMWA _hesitates, recovers himself, and pa.s.ses 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 G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds?

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 G.o.ds are thinking in their hearts.

PADAHOON

The G.o.ds, aye! But what word have the G.o.ds of the affairs of Sagharawite except as you carry it? Now between us--Chisera--