_lets slip his weapon from his hand to the ground._)

CHIEF

Simwa, if you were the son of my body, I should not know which to
believe.

SIMWA

Believe him if you like. (_Sullenly._) If a skunk walk in my trail
and leave a stink there, shall I go out of my way to deny that it is
mine? No doubt the woman is both mad and shameless.

(_Murmurs of indignation._)

SEEGOOCHE

(_Afraid, but furious._) Then if you are shameless, begone! Stay not
to vex the marriage of a maiden. Go! Have to do with your gods, and
leave my daughter.

BRIGHT WATER

Mother! Mother!

THE CHISERA

Shameless, am I, Seegooche? Then there is one of your blood shall
know a greater shame. Great hunter does she think her man? Aye, but
she shall come to dig roots for him when he fails of the hunt and be
glad of the offal the other women give her for pity. For this I say
to you, tribesmen of Sagharawite, that, though I cannot curse, yet I
can take back my blessing.

BRIGHT WATER

All this is of no account, Chisera. No doubt you can contrive against
the fame of Simwa and bespeak the gods to neglect him; I wait to hear
what proof you have that he loved you.

SEEGOOCHE

Do not vex her, daughter, lest she turn the gods against you also.

BRIGHT WATER

No matter, mother. What Simwa bears, I can bear. What proof, Chisera?

THE CHISERA

What proof?

(_She turns toward_ SIMWA, _faltering. He smiles
contemptuously._)

BRIGHT WATER

That Simwa loved you.

THE CHISERA

(_Slowly, her eyes on_ SIMWA.) He came to my hut--in the
night--Chief's daughter (_boldly_), even as he comes this night to
yours.

BRIGHT WATER

(_Impatiently._) But did he love you?

THE CHISERA

He made me so believe. (_Looking about and noting the lack of
conviction._) How else had he held me, since last the poppies
bloomed, a lure to snare the favor of the gods? Does he say he was
not blessed? Aye, twice blessed. (_She takes from her bosom the
amulet._) Was it not this you gave me to make medicine upon, to keep
your lover safe in war? Twice blessed he was; but, as I made my
blessing, so do I break it.

(_Drops the amulet and grinds it underfoot_.)

INDIANS

(_Moving uneasily._) Ah! Ah!

THE CHISERA

And this is the proof that I speak truly. From this day, whoever
brings me arrows shall have medicine upon them without price, and who
would have news of the passing of the deer shall have it for the
asking