nts ready? (_The women take up their baskets
hastily._) Hide your basket, Seegooche. It is not well to let all
your gifts appear on the first showing, for if she is not persuaded
at first, we shall have something of more worth.

(_The_ CHISERA _comes out of the trail by the almond bushes,
young and tall and comely, but of dignified, almost forbidding,
carriage. She is dressed chiefly in skins; her hair is very long,
braided with beads. She carries a small burden basket on her
back, supported by a band about her forehead. She removes this,
and drops it at the hut, coming forward._)

THE CHISERA

Friends, what have we to do with one another? Seegooche, has your
meal fermented? Or has your baby the colic again, Wacoba?

SEEGOOCHE

We have a gift for you, Chisera.

(_The women draw near timidly, each, as she speaks, placing her
basket at the_ CHISERA'S _feet, and retire._)

THE CHISERA

(_Looking at the gifts, without touching them._) The venison is fat
and tender; Seegooche, there is no one grinds meal so smoothly as
you. The honey is indeed acceptable.

(_After a pause, during which the medicine woman looks keenly at
them._)

TIAWA

We do not come for ourselves, Chisera, but from the tribeswomen.

SEEGOOCHE

From every one who has a husband or son able to join battle.

THE CHISERA

(_Eagerly._) Is there battle?

SEEGOOCHE

Even as we came, there was word that the Castacs are camped at
Pahrump, and before night our men must meet them.

THE CHISERA

And you ask me--?

SEEGOOCHE

(_Approaching appealingly and sinking to the ground in the stress of
anxiety._) A charm, Chisera!

TIAWA

(_Approaching with_ WACOBA.) A most potent medicine, O friend of the
gods!

WACOBA

That our men may have strength and discretion. That their hearts may
not turn to water and their knees quake under them--

TIAWA

(_Urgently._) May the bows of Castac be broken, and their arrows
turned aside--

SEEGOOCHE

For the lords of our bodies and the sons of our bodies, a blessing,
Chisera!

WACOBA

That our hearths may be kept alight and our children know their
fathers--

TIAWA

When the noise of battle is joined and the buzzards come, may they
feed on our foes, Chisera--

SEEGOOCHE

O friend of the gods, befriend us!

(_The women cast dust on their hair and rock to and fro while
the_ CHISERA _speaks, lifting up their ar