on the battle? Oh, Chisera, they do not
tell us women, but we hear it whispered about the camp that the men
of Castac are five and twenty, and even with the youths who go to
their first battle we cannot make a score of ours. It is the Friend
of the Soul of Man must make good our numbers.

THE CHISERA

Even now I go to prepare strong medicine.

WACOBA

Come away, then, and leave the Chisera to her work. (_Going._)

SEEGOOCHE

May the gods befriend you. If we have your blessing, we care little
for another's curse. (_Going._)

THE CHISERA

Stay. After all, we are but women together, and if a woman may give
counsel, women may hear it.

TIAWA

Would we might hear yours to-day!

THE CHISERA

When the smoke of the medicine fire arises, so as to be seen from the
spring, do you come up along the creek as far as the black rock.

WOMEN

Yes, yes!

THE CHISERA

When you hear the medicine rattles, stand off by the toyon.

WOMEN

By the toyon--yes!

THE CHISERA

But when the rattles are stopped, and the singing falls off, come up
very softly, not to disturb the Council, and hear what the gods have
said. If the men speak against it, I will stand for you.

SEEGOOCHE

Our thanks to you, Chisera, for this kindness.

TIAWA

And though you are a Chisera, and have strange intercourse with the
gods, I know you a woman, by this token.

THE CHISERA

Doubt it not, but go.

SEEGOOCHE

Come away, girls.

(_They go out, the girls with them. But_ BRIGHT WATER _lingers,
and comes back to the_ CHISERA.)

BRIGHT WATER

Chisera--

THE CHISERA

Chief's daughter?

BRIGHT WATER

Call me by my name.

THE CHISERA

Bright Water, what would you have of me?

BRIGHT WATER

Can you--will you make a charm for one going out to battle whose name
is not spoken?

THE CHISERA

How shall the gods find him out, if he is not to be named?

BRIGHT WATER

(_Earnestly._) Oh, he is handsome and strong in the shoulders; the
muscles of his back are laced like thongs. He is the bravest--

THE CHISERA

(_Laughing._) Chief's daughter, whenever I have made love charms,
they have been for men handsome and strong in the back.

BRIGHT WATER

(_Abashed._) I know not how to describe him.

THE CHISERA

(_Still smiling._) And his name is not to be spoken? (BRIGHT WATER
_continues to look down at her moccasin._) If I had something of his:
something he had sh