drive our deer, we knew that the Chief is too old for war; and now
that the enemy has crossed our borders we are still leaderless.

PAMAQUASH

So we should not be if we had followed the tribal use and given the
leadership to years and experience. It is you young men who have
unsettled judgment, with the to-do you have made about the
Arrow-Maker.

CHOCO

I have nothing against years and experience, but when one has the
gods as plainly on his side as Simwa--

YAVI

Never have I seen a man so increase in power and fortune--

PAMAQUASH

Huh--huh! I too have watched the growth of this Simwa. Also I have
seen a gourd swelling with the rains, and I have not laid it to the
gods in either case. But the Council must sit upon it. We must bring
it to the Council.

YAVI

(_Hotly._) Why should you credit the gods with Simwa's good fortune
since he himself does not so claim it? For my part, I think with the
Arrow-Maker, that it is better for a man to thrive by his own wits,
rather than by the making of medicine or the wisdom of the elders.

PAMAQUASH

(_From above._) Tst--st, Tavwots!

(TAVWOTS _comes down the canyon panting with speed. He drops
exhausted on the bank, and_ YAVI _gives him water between his
palms from the creek._)

CHOCO

Have they crossed?

TAVWOTS

Between Deer Leap and Standing Rock--more than a score, though I
think some of them were boys--but they had no women.

CHOCO

They mean fighting, then!

YAVI

Well, they can have it.

TAVWOTS

But they should not be let fatten on our deer before they come to it.
Winnemucca, whom I left at Deer Leap, will bring us word where they
camp to-night. In the mean time there is much to do. (_Rising._)

CHOCO

Much. No doubt Simwa will have something to suggest.

TAVWOTS

The Arrow-Maker is not yet war leader, my friend. I go to the Chief
and the Council. (_He goes._)

CHOCO

And yet, I think the Chief favors Simwa, else why should he prefer to
put the election to lot rather than keep to the custom of the
fathers?

YAVI

(_Going._) There might be reasons to that, not touching the merits of
the Arrow-Maker.

PAMAQUASH

Tavwots has met the women!

(_Sounds of the grief of the women in the direction of the
camp._)

CHOCO

They are coming to the Chisera. We should not have let them find us
here; they will neglect their business with her to beset us with
questions.

(_To