.

BRIGHT WATER

And you would permit that? (_He shifts uneasily under her gaze._)
Simwa--(_With profound entreaty._) Simwa!

SIMWA

What is the witch to me?

BRIGHT WATER

My sister, I think, for she has loved you even as I have, to my
sorrow.

(_She turns away from him meditating some deep purpose, and from
this time on the progress of that purpose in her mind is evident
in her bearing toward her husband._)

CHIEF

(_Coming forward._) Let the Council sit. (_They sit as in_ ACT I.)
Simwa, as war leader, what plan have you?

SIMWA

It wants not plans so much as men to do them.

CHIEF

Whatever is in any man's mind for the good of the tribe, let it be
delivered. Observe not the rule of the elders, but speak at once. (_A
moment, during which black looks are cast at_ SIMWA.) Will no one
speak?

PADAHOON

Chief and tribesmen, once I gave counsel and you despised it--

CHIEF

No more of that. Give counsel now.

PADAHOON

It is the same counsel, but time has not mended the occasion. Penned
here on the edge of the precipice we can but starve. We must break
through our enemies and strike at their women and their stores.

TAVWOTS

Every trail is watched. Not so much as a weasel can go in and out
from Toorape and they not know it.

PADAHOON

With so many watchers, then, they cannot have much of a fighting
force at any point. In an hour it will be dark; we shall go down by
Deer Leap with the women and children, and stay not for fighting,
but, fleeing for our lives, break through to their villages--

CHOCO

But if they move on us to-night? If the vultures have already
betrayed us--even now they may be within earshot?

TAVWOTS

If they come up with us before we reach Deer Leap it is to run into
the wolf's mouth.

PADAHOON

I have thought of that. To-night they expect us to mourn our dead and
go before our gods--

CHIEF

So should we.

PADAHOON

That they may think so, leave one behind to sound the medicine drum
throughout the night. So they shall fear to attack and expect an
easier victory in the morning when we are exhausted with dancing to
the gods.

TAVWOTS

But he that stays, what shall become of him--

CHIEF

He shall die as becomes him (_rising_)--as becomes a chief of his
people.

(_Murmurs of consternation and then silence._)

PADAHOON

But another--whose counsels we prize less--

CHIEF

It is the triba