n Wind, Chief of Sagharawite, greets you, and bids me say
that at the moth-hour he will be here with the fighting men to invite
the favor of the gods in this war with Castac.

THE CHISERA

And before that--?

PADAHOON

There will be a Council--

THE CHISERA

To choose a war leader.

PADAHOON

So the Chief has said.

THE CHISERA

And it is the purpose of the Council to put this election to the
gods?

PADAHOON

It may come to that--(_A pause._) Chief Rain Wind is a dotard. What
should a woman know of these matters?

THE CHISERA

All that the gods are thinking in their hearts.

PADAHOON

The gods, aye! But what word have the gods of the affairs of
Sagharawite except as you carry it? Now between us--Chisera--

THE CHISERA

What is there between us, Padahoon, that our talk should be otherwise
than appears at the Council?

PADAHOON

There should be a matter of two doeskins, tanned white and fine (_he
produces them from under his blanket_) if the gods are friendly.
Look, Chisera!

(_He spreads them out before the_ CHISERA, _who is seated by the
hut, feathering a prayer-stick._)

PADAHOON

(_Dropping the doeskins negligently._) Oh, the man can make an arrow.

THE CHISERA

But not lead a war party?

PADAHOON

A war leader, Chisera, should be neither old and timid, nor young and
overbold, but of middle years and discretion; not so hot in his heart
that his head cannot reason with it, nor so reasonable that it cools
his heart.

(_As he stands again, his hands are folded inside his arms; he is
not so sure of his errand_.)

THE CHISERA

Like ... Padahoon.

PADAHOON

(_Wheedling._) What will the gods think of a blanket of the Navajoes
(_he spreads it out before her_)--thick and fine--and four strings of
shells--and a cake of mesquite meal--?

THE CHISERA

Are the gods a-cold, Padahoon, that you bring them a blanket? Is
there hunger in their camp, think you?

PADAHOON

Let the things stay in yours, Chisera; they will remind you to speak
well of me when you go before the Friend of the Soul of Man.

THE CHISERA

Put up your pack, Padahoon!

PADAHOON

It is a little matter, Chisera; a handful of sticks thrown on the
ground. What should the gods care for a handful of sticks? And the
blanket is very thick. Shall I leave it a little while, that you may
admire it?

THE CHISERA

Put up your pack, Padahoon, and learn not t