r yourself, at least
remember my daughter!

SIMWA

(_Rising._) Have no care, mother. If I do not believe she can bless,
neither do you believe that she can curse.

BRIGHT WATER

Mother, let be. If this be true that she speaks, I am already cursed.

SIMWA

(_Going to his wife._) What have we to do with blessings or cursings?
The Chisera is unsound in her mind. I have seen her dancing in the
hills sometimes where I went to gather eagle's feathers for my
arrows, and her madness has made a curious tale of it.

BRIGHT WATER

I would I might believe it.

SIMWA

(_With returning complacency._) Do you find it so hard to have a
husband whom other women admire?

PADAHOON

Chief and tribesmen, if it be true that Simwa values charms so
little, let him declare what it is he keeps sewed in his quiver so
precious that he must hide it even on his wedding day.

(_Murmurs. The_ CHISERA, _in alarm, endeavors to check_ PADAHOON.
SIMWA _turns upon him with a snarl._)

SIMWA

_Kima!_ (_Wildly._) You cannot prove that I had it of the Chisera!

PADAHOON

(_Suddenly darting out two fingers from his mouth, moving them
rapidly in the manner of a snake's tongue, with a hissing sound._)
Snake of two tongues! Now I know you for the man you are, braggart
and liar!

SIMWA

Coyote whelp!

(SIMWA _grasps a war weapon, a stone tied in a crotched stick,
from the heap of wedding gifts, and smites_ PADAHOON _to the
earth, standing threateningly over him. The others stiffen into
tense attitudes, drawing their blankets tighter, their eyes
burning bright._ PADAHOON _draws the knife that hangs in a sheath
at his neck._)

CHIEF

(_Putting_ SIMWA _back with a hand at his breast._) Peace! Though you
are made my son by this day's work, you shall not usurp judgment.
(_To_ PADAHOON, _as_ SIMWA _moves slowly back, his weapon lowered._)
What charge do you make?

PADAHOON

(_Rising on his elbow to spit blood._) Thou art a liar, if ever there
was one in Sagharawite, and have nothing which is not owed to the
Chisera.

CHIEF

Speak straight, Padahoon, or, by the Bear, I shall let him kill you
where you lie.

PADAHOON

Three nights after the return from Tecuya, I saw you at the Chisera's
house--and again in the rains--and at the time of Taboose.

CHIEF

Is it so, Chisera?

THE CHISERA

It is so.

PADAHOON

Did you go there for love or profit?

(SIMWA