them enter three women of the campody of Sagharawite,
carrying perfect-patterned, bowl-shaped baskets, with gifts of
food for the_ CHISERA. SEEGOOCHE, _the Chiefs wife, is old and
full of dignity._ TIAWA _is old and sharp, but_ WACOBA _is a
comfortable, comely matron, who wears a blanket modestly yet to
conceal charms not past their prime._ SEEGOOCHE _and_ TIAWA _wear
basket caps, but_ WACOBA _has a bandeau of bright beads about her
hair. They show signs of agitation, instantly subdued at sight of
the men_.)

SEEGOOCHE

Is this true what Tavwots has told us, that the Castacs are upon us?

CHOCO

No nearer than Pahrump. Not so near by the time we have done with
them. What gifts have you?

TIAWA

The best the camp affords. Think you we would stint when the smoke of
the Castacs goes up within our borders?

WACOBA

Where is she?

CHOCO

Abroad in the hills gathering roots and herbs for to-night's
medicine. Wait for her.--We must go look to our fighting gear.

(_He goes out in the direction of the campody._)

PAMAQUASH

(_To_ WACOBA.) My bow case, is it finished?

WACOBA

And the bow inside it. See that you come not back to me nor to your
young son until the bowstring is frayed asunder.

PAMAQUASH

If you do your work with the Chisera as well as we with Castac, you
shall not need to question our bowstrings. (_Going._)

SEEGOOCHE

Leave us to deal--though if she cannot help us in this matter, I do
not know where we shall turn.

TIAWA

Never have I asked help of her, and been disappointed.

WACOBA

(_Gathering flowers._) Aye, but that was mere women's matters, weevil
in the pine nuts, a love-charm or a colicky child. _This is war!_

SEEGOOCHE

(_Still peering about._) As if that were not a woman's affair also!

TIAWA

You may well say that! It was in our last quarrel with Castac I lost
the only man-child I ever had, dead before he was born. When the
women showed me his face, it was all puckered with the bitterness of
that defeat. You may well say a woman's matter!

SEEGOOCHE

That was the year my husband was first made Chief, and we covered
defeat with victory, as we shall again. It was Tinnemaha, the father
of the Chisera, went before the gods for us, I remember.

TIAWA

Well for us that he taught her his strong medicine. Not a fighting
man from Tecuya to Tehachappi but trusts in her.

(_Goes to the creek and