what bond there is between us, when, if I but pronounce thy name in my heart, thy voice answers.

(The love call is repeated far up the cliffs above her hut, and she answers it, singing:)

Over-long are thy feet on the trails,
        O Much Desired!!
Dost thou not hear afar what my blood whispers,
Betraying my heart as the whir
Of the night-moth's wings betray the lilies?

(As she sings, Simwa, in full war dress, comes dropping down, hand over hand, from the rocks, until he stands beside her.)

Simwa

Did you not hear me when first I called?

The Chisera

I heard you, Most Desired. When do I not? Even when I sleep, my heart wakes to hear you. The women have been with me.

Simwa

You know, then?

The Chisera

That this very night a war party of ours must go out to meet the Castacs.

Simwa

And before that there will be a Council to choose a war leader? Has the Chief told you?

The Chisera

Not since this latest word, but yesterday he bid me prepare a strong medicine, for he thought the election would be made by lot. But I did not tell him, O Much Desired, that I had already made medicine a night and a day to let the choice fall on you. A day and a night by Deer Leap on Toorape, where never foot but mine had been, I made medicine, and the answer is sure.

Simwa

That I shall get the leadership?

The Chisera

When have the gods denied me anything that I asked for your sake, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite?

Simwa

The Padahoon hunts on a cold trail, and there is nothing for me to do?

(He sits on the bank and the Chisera sits below him.)

The Chisera

Beloved, there is much to do, for before the shadow which lies between my feet has grown tall again, I must make medicine for the sake of this war; and I have spent so much on you, the power goes from me. Now, you must put your hand upon my heart, and nurse it warm, so that the people lack nothing of their Chisera.

Simwa

Is that good, Chisera? (Puts his arm about her.)

The Chisera

Very good, Friend of my heart. (She leans upon his arm.)

Simwa

(Quickened by the caress.) Chisera, what did you do before I came?

The Chisera

Oh, then I lived in the dream of you. When I ran in the trails, my heart expected you at every turn, and in the dark of the hut the sense of you brooded on my sleep. But I thought it was all for the gods.

Simwa

(Fatuously.) Until I came.

The Chisera

Did I tell you, Simwa, that day when first you found me dancing in the sun—you had been gathering eagle's feathers for your arrows, do you remember?—I thought that day that you were of the gods yourself, for I was sick with longing, and the spring was in my blood.

Simwa

And when I came again, what did you think?

The Chisera

That you were the man most deserving their favor, and that all the medicine I had learned until then was merely that I might persuade them for your sake.

Simwa

(Sitting up.) Chisera, when you go up to the Friend of the Soul of Man, you cannot be always asking for the tribespeople. Do you not sometimes ask for yourself?

The Chisera

What should I ask for when I have your love?

Simwa

For friends, perhaps, who are to be rewarded, or those who have done you injuries? (Watching her.)

The Chisera

(Laughing.) Once, Simwa, before I was sure of you, I made a singing medicine to draw you from the camp. And you came, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, you came. (Laying her hands on his bosom.) Did you not feel me draw you?

Simwa

Often and often, as it were a tie-rope in my bosom between us. (Letting go her hands and stretching himself preparatory to rising.) But I did not think it was your medicine.

The Chisera

What then?

Simwa

(Rising and walking about.) Your beauty and the wonder of your dancing.

The Chisera

Tell me, Simwa, in the beginning I know you did not believe; but now you understand the power I have from the Friend of the Soul of Man?

Simwa

Surely; now that I am about to be made war leader by means of it.

The Chisera

(Rising and going back to the feathering of the prayer-stick.) But I have heard the women gossiping at the spring—

Simwa

What did they say?

The Chisera

That Simwa does not believe in charms and scoffs at the gods.

Simwa

That was true (recovering)—once. But now that I am become the most notable arrow-maker in Sagharawite—

The Chisera

Now—now you do not scoff at the Chisera?

Simwa

(Embarrassed.) But it is not always well for a man to say what he thinks. If I were to tell in the campody whence my good fortune is, would not Padahoon do me some mischief for it?

The Chisera

But, Simwa, am I never to come to you as other women to the wickiups of their husbands?

Simwa

What need, Chisera, when I come so often to yours?

The Chisera

The need of women to serve openly where they love.

Simwa

But what service could you do me when you had lost the respect of the tribesmen? You know the tribal custom. It is not for the friend of the gods to dig roots and dress venison.