Council._)

PAMAQUASH

Is the Chisera advised of the Council?

PADAHOON

Even now she prepares herself in the wickiup. Where is the Chief?

PAMAQUASH

He stays only until the fighting men are gathered together.

PADAHOON

I will join them. See that the Chisera is not disturbed before her
time. (_He goes out._)

PAMAQUASH

Over there in front of the wickiup, one of you light the medicine
fire, but do not light it until the Chisera comes.

(YAVI _and another prepare the fire._)

YAVI

How is it that the Chisera will discover the will of the gods?

PAMAQUASH

Spread a blanket there, where the Chief and the Chisera will
sit--(_To_ YAVI.) By the casting of the seven sacred sticks. As the
gods will they make the sticks to fall in a sign that she can read.

YAVI

Is it so that the Medicine Worker sometimes fails?

PAMAQUASH

Medicine men have died at it before now--and better so, for otherwise
they should have died by the law.

YAVI

Is that the law?

PAMAQUASH

Surely, surely. For of what use is an advocate with the gods if he
cannot get to them. It would be so with the Chisera.

(_As the preparations have gone forward, the sound of the drums
and rattles, with an occasional subdued whoop, has drawn nearer,
and the Fighting Men, led by the_ CHIEF, _in full fighting gear,
arrive in single file marching to the drums. The procession halts
in the open space before the_ CHISERA'S _hut._)

CHIEF

Let the Council sit.

(_Eleven of the elders seat themselves in a circle about the
fire, turning toward the_ CHIEF. _The others stand or sit
attentively in the background. The_ CHIEF _at the fire hands the
ceremonial pipe to_ YAVI _who lights it._ RAIN WIND _blows a puff
of smoke to all the gods, returning to his place in the Council;
the pipe passes from hand to hand; when it has passed all about,
each tribesman blowing smoke and saluting, the_ CHIEF _rises and
stands before the_ CHISERA'S _hut_.)

Chisera, Chisera, come to Council!

THE CHISERA

(_Advancing to his side._) Rain Wind, Chief of Sagharawite, what will
you have of me?

(PAMAQUASH _lights the medicine fire._)

CHIEF

To carry a matter too hard for us before the Friend of the Soul of
Man.

THE CHISERA

Nothing that men contrive in their hearts is too hard for the gods.
Speak, then!

(_Goes and sits beside the_ CHIEF.)

CHIEF