dips up water to drink in her basket
cap._)

WACOBA

(_Tentatively._) It is believed by some that she makes medicine for
Simwa, the Arrow-Maker, and that is why his arrows are so well
feathered and fly so swiftly to the mark.

SEEGOOCHE

Simwa! Why, he scoffs at charms and speaks lightly even of the gods.

TIAWA

(_Giving the others to drink from her cap._) Aye; Simwa puts not
faith in anybody but Simwa.

SEEGOOCHE

And with good reason, for he is the most skillful of the tribesmen.
He has made all the arrows for the fighting men. Do you think they
will make him war leader?

WACOBA

(_Ornamenting the basket she has brought with a wreath of flowers,
which she plucks._) Padahoon will never agree to it.

TIAWA

But if Simwa is the better man?

WACOBA

The Sparrow Hawk is older, and has the greater experience.

SEEGOOCHE

Prutt! If age and experience were all, my husband would not ask that
a new leader be chosen. Young men are keenest-eyed and quickest
afoot.

(_She moves up the trail looking for signs of the_ CHISERA.)

TIAWA

(_Going over to_ WACOBA, _aside from_ SEEGOOCHE.) So the Chief favors
Simwa? I would not have thought it.

WACOBA

(_Significantly._) Seegooche's daughter is not married, and the
Arrow-Maker has many blankets.

TIAWA

Ugh, huh! So the scent lies up that trail? Well, why not?

WACOBA

Why not? The Chief's daughter and the war leader? A good match.

TIAWA

(_Going across to the hut._) Aye, a good match!... Do you know, I
have never been in the Chisera's house. It is said she has a great
store of baskets and many beads. Let us look.

SEEGOOCHE

No, no; do not go near it.

WACOBA

(_Alarmed._) _Kima!_ Tiawa, she may be watching you.

TIAWA

(_By the hut, but not daring to enter it._) What harm to visit a
neighbor's house when the door is open. Besides, she makes no bad
medicine.

SEEGOOCHE

We know that she does not, but not that she could not if she would.

TIAWA

(_Returning reluctantly._) Why should we hold the Chisera so apart
from the campody? Why should she not have a husband and children as
other women? How can she go before the gods for us until she knows
what we are thinking in our hearts?

WACOBA

(_Jumping up._) I have seen something stirring in the alder bushes. I
think the Chisera comes!

SEEGOOCHE

Do not be seen too near the hut. Come away, Tiawa.

TIAWA

Have you the prese