her blanket._) Who sends for me?

CHIEF

Death is hot upon our trail. Stay him with your spells.

MEN AND WOMEN

Good medicine, Chisera, good medicine!

THE CHISERA

Have you not a war leader--

(_She stops, noticing the bonnet on_ PADAHOON--_looks from him
to_ SIMWA.)

PADAHOON

Who invites your blessing, Chisera!

CHIEF

Make spells for thy people!

THE CHISERA

What have my people done for me that I should weary myself to make
medicine for them?

CHIEF

Are you not respected above all women of the campody? Even in
war-time--

THE CHISERA

Ah--respect! What have I to do with respect? Am I not as other women
that men should desire me? Are my breasts less fair that there should
never be milk in them?

CHIEF

We honor you after the use of medicine men. What more would you have?

THE CHISERA

The dole of women. Love and sorrow and housekeeping; a husband to
give me children, even though he beat me.

CHIEF

Love you have given, and sorrow you have got. Shame and defeat are
your children. So it is always when power falls upon women. The word
has passed in Council, Chisera; will you repair this damage, or will
you die for it?

THE CHISERA

(_As her eye travels the circle of the camp._) I do not find the
taste of life so sweet that I should turn it twice upon my tongue;
but--(_Her gaze halts on_ SIMWA, _and all the attention of the camp
seems to hang a moment in suspense as_ SIMWA _ignores her._) Do I
die, then?

PADAHOON

Let Simwa die!

INDIANS

Ah--ah--!

SIMWA

What, old fox, are you out of cover at last?

PADAHOON

By whom trouble came into the camp, let it depart. Who prevented the
wisdom of the gods at the throwing of the sacred sticks? By whose
counsel were our allies of Castac destroyed? Who hardened the
Chisera's heart so that she kept not our foes from us?

INDIANS

Simwa! Simwa!

PADAHOON

Sons of the Bear, do you think to win favor of the gods when you have
one who mocks them in your midst? Would you see the backs of the
Tecuyas? Would you win to your homes again? Let Simwa die!

INDIANS

Aye, aye. Let Simwa die! A judgment! A judgment!

SIMWA

(_Aside to his wife._) My quiver, hand me my quiver!

CHIEF

Simwa, as thou art a son to me, I fear the charge is just. But do you
entreat the Chisera to go before the gods for us, then will this evil
pass.

SIMWA

(_Rising._) And if I choose to hav