t_), and this is a
vain fight for the men of Castac. Inasmuch as they have crossed our
borders, they do evilly, but they are also Paiutes, as we are, and
sons of the Bear. Aforetime when the Tecuyas came against us, they
were as our brothers. Now, were I war leader, I should leave them at
Pahrump and, going up behind the ridge of Toorape, strike at their
villages. When we have their women and children and their stores, we
can make terms with our brothers of Castac. So shall we save our
honor and our allies.

INDIANS

Good counsel! Ugh! Huh! Padahoon! Good counsel!

CHIEF

Speak, Simwa!

SIMWA

(_Rising._) Shall I call a thief my brother, and is a poacher my
fellow that I should respect him? Sons of the Bear are the men of
Castac? Aye, bastard sons, and the coyote is their mother. (_Grunts
and cries of approval._) The Castacs have filled up our springs and
driven our deer. They have stalked our hunters in the hills.
(_Grunts._) Aye, but we have given the stalkers arrows of ours to
keep. (_Grunts of satisfaction._) Shall we go after our arrows, men
of Sagharawite, or shall we wait until our "brothers" of Castac come
and stroke us? I am not so old as Padahoon, nor so wise, but, by the
Bear that fathered us, were I war leader for the space of one moon,
there would be no more men of Castac to trouble our harvest.

YOUNG MEN

Simwa! Simwa! The Arrow-Maker!

OLD MEN

Padahoon! Padahoon!

CHIEF

Tribesmen, the wisdom of Padahoon is sound, and such as every man has
in his own head; but the speech of Simwa is a water of mirage about
our understanding. Shall we try what the gods will do? (_Nods and
grunts of approval._)

OLD MEN

The gods--the Chisera--the Chisera!

CHIEF

The best of the spoil of Castac is yours, Chisera, if the choice be
fortunate.

THE CHISERA

(_Rising to begin._) I want no spoil; this is also my quarrel. How
will you have the venture tried?

INDIANS

The sticks! The sacred sticks!

(_The_ CHISERA _produces the sticks from her medicine bag, and
hands them to one of the Old Men. To each of the others who will
dance with her (two or three) she gives a fetish from her bag.
They have already put on appropriate headdresses and are prepared
for dancing. She motions the rattles to begin. Behind her are the
Old Men, with the drums and rattles; on each side, the Fighting
Men seated on the ground. The dance begins, the_ CHISERA
_singi