^::- M >: y>-TM ^IIC^ :!:M^^fe ^J-^*^'^ ^"^^^ -'n >.:iK Class, Book.f A 4 1^ i. ■^J Gopyright]^"- COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr. S^' • ■>. n #-"^ ^ . &i.^4^^» "- ''"wmmmM ^etalesljaroo AND Ct)e s^tar J&ra\3e Poetic Dramas by HELEN FITZGERALD SANDERS McKEE PRINTING COMPANY Butte, Montana 1910 M- p,L l^J^ Copyright, 1910 By Helen Fitzgerald Sanders ;CI.D 203C4 =^ Two Hundred Copies Printed No.. PETALESHAROO INTRODUCTION. The incident upon which the following drama is founded is an historical fact recorded in " James's Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, 1819-20." The Pawnee Loups, who claim descent from the early Mexican tribes, were probably the only group of American Indians guilty of the human sacrifice. Each year in the Spring, just be- fore the planting of the seeds, they sacrificed a prisoner captured in war to the Great Star, the goddess of harvests, believing that by this means they would be favored with large crops and plentiful herds of buffalo. The Grand Chief Latelesha, or Knife Chief, a humane and able man, determined to abolish the hateful practice. All persuasive measures failing to move the people, his eldest son, Petalesharop, the greatest brave of the tribe, unaided and alone rescued an letan woman who was about to fall beneath the arrows of the assembled multitude. After the death of Petalesharoo the Pawnee Loups reverted to the ancient custom inherited from their southern ancestors, and at a much later date — about 1 845 — Father De Smet in his "Oregon Missions" gives a detailed account of the human sacrifice, and to him I am indebted for many valuable descriptions of dress, forms, etc., etc. According to Father De Smet the Morning Star was the goddess of harvests. On the other hand, George Bird Grinnell in his "Indians of Today" states that it was the Evening Star to whom the sacrifice was made. I do not pretend to settle the point in question, but I have chosen to follow Father De Smet, as the idea of the Morning Star conforms best to the dramatic setting and action. The love story is purely fiction and Sassitka is not an historical per- sonage. Helen Fitzgerald Sanders. CAST OF CHARACTERS. Petaleshaioo, son of Latelesha, the Knife Chief. Presiding Juggler or Master of Ceremonies. Sassitka, the rival of Petalesharoo among the braves. Atipaat, an ancient beldam. An old woman. A runner. Musicians, dancers, warriors, and A captive letan girl. PETALESHAROO. An heroic drama in one act and three scenes. Time, about 1815. Scene I. A clearing in a dense pine n>ood. It is just before dawn and the Morning Star shines brilliantly. To the right of the stage in the background is an akkaro, or hut, formed of ^oung trees fastened together at the top and covered with turf. A fire burns in the center of the stage. In the foreground is a bird stuffed Tviih sacred roots and herbs. Four bison heads are arranged about four feet from the fire. Ten musicians, pamted half black Q"^ half red, make ti^eird music. Four of these pla\) the tekapiroutche, a drum similar to the tom-tom, made b}; stretching deer- skin over both ends of a hollowed section of tree trunk three feel long and one and a half feet in circumference. Four others ^eep time Jvith dried calabashes filled Tvith pebbles. The last two play reed flutes two feet long and an inch in diameter, similar to the instruments used by the ancient shepherds. To each instrument is tied a tewaara or medicine bag. Four sentinels, armed with lances, stand at the four corners of the assembly to keep walch and prevent women and children from approaching. The Master of Ceremonies or Presiding Juggler is the oldest patriarch of the tribe. He is painted entirely red and wears a head-dress of swans-down. The musicians and dancers have their hair likewise adorned. The spec- tators, besmeared with multicolored paint, clad in pelts, sit or recline to the right and left of the Presiding Juggler. Others dance in a circle around the fire chanting. INVOCATION TO THE GREAT STAR. Dancers in Chorus: Great Star of Morning, Light of the Universe, Goddess of Harvests, Hail! Heavenly Star! Star with thy quiver Of far-darting beams. Send them like arrows Deep into our hearts. Behold! we aa'ore thee! Famished and hungry. Yet do we yield thee The last of our stores. Bird of the fleet wings. Voice of the Great Star, Thou who hast circled The sweep of the skies. Bringing the message Of the Great Spirit Down to our fathers From isles of the stars. To the warm country Where dwelt our people, When from the Deluge The world was re-born, Still gather thy children With ceremonies Old as the mountains Yet fresh as the Spring, Offering to thee As thou hast bidden On this, thy feast day. The Great Sacrifice. O! Bride of the Dawn Smile thou upon us, Grant us rich harvests. Abundant, fat herds. Great Star of Morning, Light of the Universe, Goddess of Plenty, Hail Heavenly Star! —9— (The Presiding Juggler gives a piercing cry as a signal. Immediately the dancing and singing cease. In perfect silence the dancers take their places, responding in chorus:) • Neva! Neva! Neva! 'Tis well! O! It is well! (The dancers fill the narvishkaro, or calumet, rvith herbs contained in the body of the Sacred Bird and offer it to the Presiding Juggler who squats by the fire. He strikes it with both hands. One of the guards ad- vances and places a living coal from the fire on the pipe. When it is lighted the Presiding Juggler, never releasing the calumet, gives a puff to each of the musicians. This done, he stands in the center of the assembly and, raising his eyes toward the night sky, presents the pipe to the Great Spirit and the Morning Star. Pausing a moment in impressive silence, he blows three puffs to heaven.) Presiding Juggler. O! Tirawaat! Thou Great and Mighty One, Look down! Look down, all-seeing Eye of Night Upon thy children. Pity us. Great Star, And smoke with us the sacred Calumet! Chorus. Neva! Neva! Neva! Tis well! O! It is well! (The Presiding Juggler offers the pipe to the bison heads, blowing to each two puffs, then passes it to the assembled braves. When it is pre- sented to Petalesharoo, who is distinguished by his rich head-dress of war eagle feathers, his mantle of bison skin, his ornaments of weasel skins, claws of white bear and nacre, his shield and long lance, he declines to smoke. Sassitka, his rival among the braves, steps forward and addresses the Presiding Juggler. ) Sassitka. Petalesharoo is traitor to the tribe. The letans he hath favored in our wars And now he seeks to bring upon our heads The wrath of yonder Star whose heavenly orb Looks down upon this sacred gathering. —10— Presiding Juggler. Speak, Petalesharoo! O! noble brave, Son of Latelesha, forbear to shame Thy father and dishonor thine own name! Petalesharoo. Hold ! 'Till ye have heard the will of your Great Chief. He hath decreed this sacrifice but murder. Hateful to the holy Star of Morning And him, your leader in both peace and war. Therefore do I defy ye in his name! (A movement in the assembly. Cries of:) Traitor! Death! Forbear, 'tis Latelesha's son! (Petalesharoo stands silently, scornfully gazing at the multitude, rvith his mantle of bison sl(in folded closely about him.) Sassitka. (Addressing the Presiding Juggler.) Master, I offer thee this letan girl, Her whom I captured on the red war-path. Her whom I snatched from out her warriors' ranks Even as the eagle with his talons grips The frightened field-lark. Her do I yield to thee A sacrifice unto the Morning Star, So her young blood may fertilize the seeds. Enrich the crops and drive down from the hills. In plenteous herds, our meat, the buffalo. Presiding Juggler. Well hast thou spoken ! Braves, what is your will? Shall we, the children of the Mighty Star, Who, in the morning of the world received —11— Its will from this far-flying messenger. The Sacred Bird, which winged its dizzy flight From the remotest azure seas of heaven To that warm region drenched in ruddy sun Where dwelt our people in the days before We came into the cold country of pines and snow And bold, cloud-piercing mountain tops, — shall we Be turned as weak, faint-hearted squaws From rites as ancient as the sun and moon To please the Knife Chief, Latelesha? Is he to change the worship of the tribe? Do ye accept the sacrifice or not? Chorus (in deafening shout.) Neva! Neva! Neva! 'Tis well! O! It is well! Presiding Juggler (rvith arms outstretched toward the Star.) O! Tirewaat, thou Great Deliberator Of the Universe, and thou, O ! Star ! To ye we give the virgin letan maid. (There is a short interval of silence, during ivhich the Presiding Jug- gler stands attentive, as one listening for a message. There is a rumbling sound seeming to issue from the bison heads. Then he cries exultantl'^.) Presiding Juggler. The Master of Life accepts the sacrifice! Chorus. Neva ! Neva ! Neva ! 'Tis well ! O ! It is well !_ (Plates of maize are brought forth, offered to the great manitous, the bison heads, and to everyone present. All partake of the feast but Petalesharoo.) Presiding Juggler. Go forth, O! braves, and bid her to feast. Go crying through the village and command Each warrior unto the sacrifice! —12— Sassitka (aside lo Peialesharoo.) Come robed in thy best war dress, with thy quiver Full of strong arrows, Petalesharoo ! Petalesharoo. This is thy hour, Sassitka, mine will come! (The assemblv breads up, taking ]viih them the Sacred Bird. They pause before the akkaro.) Presidmg Juggler. O! letan maid, we make a feast for thee. Arise thou with the rising of the sun! Chorus (chanting verij softly.) O! Thou shalt wander through the cold and dark. Through night that never ends and winter snows That never melt. Our curse is on thy soul And on thy tribe though all eternity! Presiding Juggler. Now let us to the village and proclaim The tidings of the coming festival. (All disperse carrying the Sacred Bird, except Petalesharoo, who lingers near the letan s akkaro. The fire goes out.) SCENE II. (The dawn begins to break and as the sunrise flushes the east the Star grows dim. There is the sound of drums beating and shouts in the dis- tance.) Petalesharoo. Dim grows the Star. It pales and faints and dies Before the rising sun as all else fades Before the greater light of love. (The letan girls appears at the entrance of her akk^fo and seeing Petalesharoo comes forth.) letan girl. Petalesharoo, is it thou who comest? —13— I had a dream of noise and battle-cries And I am drenched with the cold dew of fright. What is afoot? Thy brow is dark. Petalesharoo. T^ear not. letan girl. Yet I do fear. Last night the lean grey wolves Howled to a bloody moon that sped as swift Through the black tide of heav'n as a canoe. Leaving in its wake a silver foam of stars. The deathly owl hooted in the breathless trees Until my heart beat like a muffled drum. The thunder with hoarse whisper spake in wrath From out the clear -night sky, — an evil sign Old women say. And Atipaat, the hag. Who follows me as constantly as mine Own shadow, fondled me and softly spoke With honeyed tongue' until her withered hands, Carressing, seemed to me like twining serpents. Her sweet speech but a poisonous breath that brmgs Death and damnation to the fainting soul And then I dreamed a dream. O! Such a dream Of black and awful horrors that the tongue Would fam not utter lest the very words Might make the nightmare a reality. Still I must tell it. O! methought I stood Upon a fallen pme that scarcely spanned The wild, tempestuous tide that separates The living from the dead. I tottered there Distrought. Beneath my feet the mighty pine Shook at the awful menace of the flood "Whose gaunt, white weaves, like threat'ning arms reached up To drag me down into the whirlpool. The icy chill of the dank, clammy spray Numbed my cramped limbs, possessed my 'wildered brain That eddied with an awful dizziness And dead things floated on the tide, all stark And pale with terror graven in their eyes. Others still struggled in the last grim throes Battling the cataclysm furiously. And I, with falt'ring step and faihng heart. Frozen with horror, past the power to cry. Clung on the brink of black perdition, when Suddenly a brilliant light shone in the sky. The dark clouds parted and a Spirit Shape Rode down on beams celestial, bent o'er me And lifted me in his encircling arms Into the pleasant valleys of the blessed. Then came the sharp confusion of war-cries And I awoke, a-tremble and foredone. Petalesharoo. Now hath the night tide like a frightened fawn Sped with star-scattering hoofs unto the rim O' the world, and with it vanishes The haunting dreams and witcheries of darkness. (Noises of shouts and drum beats.) letan girl. Hark! What are those cries? Petalesharoo. The braves prepare a feast. letan girl. A feast? —15— Petalesharoo. A ceremony to yon Star. letan girl. How pale and faint it burns in the warm bosom Of the sunrise! Hold me closer, closer! Petalesharoo. O ! thou dost tremble as the new grass shakes Beneath the footstep of the boisterous wind! letan girl. O! See how red, how crimson bright the sky Is growing in the east. Drenched, drenched with blood! Your fawn is wounded by the hunter sun ! Petalesharoo. Fear not, my love. The air is sweet with Spring, The seeds are sprouting from the pregnant earth. The buds are bursting on the forest trees, Th^ birds are mating, — harken to their song, — ^ And love is blooming in this heart of mine! letan girl. Petalesharoo! My brave! My brave! {They embrace and are silent a moment, then she shudders again at the sound of distant war-cries.) Petalesharoo. The sun is rising o'er the mountain tops, letan girl. Upon a bloody world. Look at the leaves. As scarlet hued are they as though the blight Of early frost had sapped their budding life. Each drop of dew a-tremble on the grass Is crimson as the fresh spilt blood of man. I saw the blood-drops fall in rain one time In battle, — when I came a prisoner here. But prisoner no more am I since thou Art now my lover! Petalesharoo. Wouldst thou not escape. Even upon the fleetest horse of mine. If I should offer him to thee and say: Here is freedom! Six campfires hence, — but six, — And thou shalt lodge within thy native glades. United with thy parents and thy tribe, letan girl. I would not go. Petalesharoo. Think well! Time presses! Hark! letan girl. That savage cry again, as though the wolves From out of the great Darkness of doomed souls Were loosed in one devouring pack to run To death eternal, some accursed wretch ! {The sounds grorv louder.) Petalesharoo. There is a moment left. Wouldst flee as swift As the red-tongued forest fire? The horse Stands saddled in yon clump of brush ! letan girl {Clinging to Petalesharoo.) No! No! My love, not even if death o'ershadowed me With his black wings ! Petalesharoo. Fear not. Have faith in me. letan girl. What means this grim foreboding? O! Tell me? Petalesharoo. List to the strains of music drawing near ! {It is entirely light. Enter Alipaat and another hideous old beldam.) Atipaat. We come with precious gifts O! letan girl. With claws of bear and discs of virgin pearl. With heron plume and deerskin gown. With eagle feathers and with white swan's-down. O! This will be a merry holiday. —17— We'll frisk, like fawns, upon the green, in play. Thou art to grace a mighty feast that we. Thy loving subjects, do prepare for thee! letan girl. I thank ye, mothers. O! How kind ye are! Atipaat. Come to thy lodge, maid, so we may bedeck thee, letan girl (lo Peialesharoo.) Farewell! Thou wilt be at the feast, my brave? Surely they honor me but for thy sake! Petalesharoo. Aye ! Farewell ! Farewell until the feast. SCENE III. (The stage empties. The letan girl disappears Tvith the old women. Exit Peialesharoo to the left. Presently a runner, painted entirely) black U'i'.h ivhite clay on his h'jir, wolves' tails fastened to his heels and moc- casins of huffCilo hide with the shaggy side out, hounds into the open.) Runner. O! Tirawaat! Look down upon thy children! However poor, all that they possess is thine. And they do yield it to thee willingly. Fill thou our hunting grounds with buffalo. With elk and deer and herds of antelope. Strengthen our arms and make our aim more sure That we may smite our enemies in war And so renew this sacred sacrifice! (In the distance is heard the response:) Neva! Neva! Neva! Tis well! O! It is well! (The noise of shouts grows louder. Occasionally the war-cry of the Scssaskwi is heard. Enter from the woods to the right and left of the —18— stage the braves of the nation, fantasiically painted and gorgeousl]) attired. Some have deer antlers and bison horns fastened about their heads, imild cats' and wolves tails at their heels and waists. All conceal their bows, arrows and war-clubs. The braves are followed b^ the Tewaaroutche, a religious order of great warriors. The^ wear swans-down on their hair and their naked bodies are painted black and red. The)) all assemble around the letan girFs akk^ro. A cross is erected at the back of the stage, at its base fagots are piled and a fire is kindled near b]). Baskets of seeds and grain are brought in and placed near the cross. The Sacred Bird is displayed in the foreground. Foremost amongst the crowd are Sassitka and the Presiding Juggler, who examines his iron-barbed arrow carefully. ) Presiding Juggler. Draw the baskets closer so the letan's blood May fall upon the seeds of maize and beans And pumpkins golden as the harvest moon, Before we give them to the fruitful earth. Sassitka. We are all met but Petalesharoo. The son of Latelesha is a coward ! {^The pelt curtains on the letan girl's akk'^i'o part, and she stands- smiling happily at the multitude of warriors who salute her. She is mag- nificently arrayed in a dress of deerskin which reaches to her knees, beau- tifully beaded leggings and moccasins ornamented with porcupine quills, beads of glass and pearl. A necklace is fastened about her neck, brace- lets on her arms, ear-rings in her ears, and on her head is a head-dress of grey eagles' feathers and swan's-down extending behind to the ground. The old Women fasten about her wrists and ankles long ropes and leathern thongs. This done, they deliver her to the Presiding Juggler and Ji's- appear. He advances to meet her.) letan girl. I am not worthy of this bounteous feast! Presiding Juggler. Thou art fairer than the Star of Morning. Lovelier than the dawn. O! worthy thou To tread the flowery prairie of the skies! —19— / (The rvar-cry sounds loud and fierce. The letan girl shudders and coTvers.) letan girl. Thou'rt kind. I . . tremble . . for I am confused. Thy ways are strange. ... I understand them not. . . Bear with me, father. . . Hold my hand in thine. Presiding Juggler. Fear not, O! Quivering Bird, O! Gentlest One, This is a part of the Great Feast for thee. Plump IS thy body as the autumn grouse That feeds on juicy berries, bursting pods. For thou hast fattened on sweet maize and beans And honey from the wild bees' hidden hives. The Great Star loves the round of limb and throat With bosoms full as luscious ripening fruit! (As he speal(s he leads her toward the cross.) letan girl. Wait! Wait a moment! What means yonder cross And that grim heap of fagots at its base? Why lead me to it? O! I am afraid! Presiding Juggler. Come, child! See, I am with thee. All is well. (He draws her to the p'^re, stretches ivide her arms and binds her tightly with the ropes and thongs to the cross. The girl strains to pull away. She looI(s with growing terror at the threatening horde of Warriors, who now display and brandish their weapons. No woman or child is present. The war-cry swells into a deafening chorus.) letan girl. What mean ye by that black and awful threat? Ye would not kill me? I am but a maid! Sassitka. A maid! An letan dog, our enemy! Presiding Juggler. For all the crime that thine accursed tribe —20— Through generations, hath been guiUy of. For all the Pawnee warriors they have slain Shalt thou now suffer! letan girl. I have not harmed ye, O! It is not brave to kill a woman Snared and bound as I. Spare me, O! Spare me! (War-cries, brandishing of war-cluhs and shouts in chorus.) We curse thee, wench! Damnation to thy soul! May all the letan warriors perish Beneath our arrows as thou now shalt fall ! letan girl. No! No! No! Spare me! I will be your slave! I'll bear the heaviest burdens of the march! O! Turn your awful vengeance from my head And spare me, for I cannot— cannot die. {The mar-cr}) resounds as the Presiding Juggler despoils her of her 'ornaments.) Presiding Juggler (ivith arms and face raised to the sffies.) O! Tirawaat, Master of Life, and thou, O! Star, to ye we give this virgin maid A sacrifice! Chorus. Neva! Neva! Neva! (The Presiding Juggler advances, grasps a burning pine -fagot from the fire and attempts to l(indle the wood at the base of the cross. He scorches the girl's armpits and casting aside the flaming brand smears her Tvith red and black paint. He then resumes his place in front of the crowd and carefully aims his arrow. At this signal all other arrows are aimed. ) —21— letan girl (s/ir/e/fing.) Petalesharoo! Petalesharoo ! (Petalesharoo springs from the pine Teoods onto the p^re before her, siretching ivide his arms and baring his breast.) Petalesharoo. White-hearted squaws! If ye will kill this child Kill first a man. Strike her through my dead body. Shoot! {Silence and consternation. A movement of indecision. The arroivs falter. All el;es are fixed on the Presiding Juggler. He and Petalesharoo gaze at each other fixedl]) until the Presiding Juggler shifts his glance.) Presiding Juggler (loivering his arrorv, at which all other arroivs are lorvered.) The son of Latelasha shall not fall Beneath my arrow. Petalesharoo. Spare not me! I wait! Presiding Juggler. Descend, descend, O! Petalesharoo. Mock not thy elder in both years and wisdom. Petalesharoo. Release the letan maid. Loose thou her cords! (The Presiding Juggler slorvl]), reluctantly cuts the ropes and thongs that bind the girl and Petalesharoo half carries her limp form from the p^re.) Petalesharoo (to the multitude.) Disperse! From this time forth the Pawnee Loups Forswear the human sacrifice. (To the letan girl.) My love! The Night hath vanished and the Star is set. Behold! the sun in supreme glory shines Upon the spring-decked earth. So shineth thou Within the heart of Petalesharoo. CURTAIN. —22— THE STAR BRAVE INTRODUCTION. The ensuing drama. The Star Brave, is based upon a myth cherished by many tribes of North American Indians. The legend runs that some of the most briUiant stars are immortal warriors, who, by night, issue upon their various quests across the skies. It is further whispered that occasionally these heavenly braves come to earth and marry human wives. See George Bird Grinnell's "Indians of Toda])." CAST OF CHARACTERS. Cloud-of-Morning. Medicine Man. Star Brave THE STAR BRA VE. Scene I. (Interior of a Blackfeei lodge. Indians are sleeping on their sacred bundles. Through the open curtains, the peak of Coing- to-the-Sun, white Tvith snoTv, is seen b^ starlight. In the fore- ground is a veri) old Medicine Man smoking after the Indian fashion. Just before him sits a ];oung squaw. A small fire smoulders in the center of the stage, which is dimly lighted.) Cloud-of-Morning (warming her hands at the fire and shivering.) The air grows cold, father. The snow hath fall'n Upon the peak of Going-to-the-Sun. (Medicine Man nods and looks toward the mouiilam.) Cloud-of-Morning. The Winter Man will soon come riding down Upon his pale, white horse, scattering snowflakes. Sealing the lakes and streams with death-cold ice. Laying his numbing finger on the lips O' the world and hushing it to silence. The busy clouds are weaving snowy shrouds To wrap the" earth in, and the wint'ry wind Doth gather strength and sharpwi his keen lance Withm the caverns of the utmost North. See, Father! (Pointing to the open lodge curtains.) The heavenly warriors ride the skies! Ah! Is it true, I wonder, that they come To earth sometimes and marry mortal wives? —26— Medicine Man. (Speal^ing rvilh suppressed emotion.) Aye! That it is! When I was a young man But newly entered in the Young Dogs' Lodge, The fairest daughter of the tribe became The bride of an immortal brave. Cloud-of-Morning. O! Strange. Medicine Man. When age hath bitten at the heart like frost And the sweet flower of our youth is shed. The soul of man no longer reaches out To things external, but with inverted sight Pours o'er the dead Past's treasury and dwells With mirthless smile and tears all purified Of bitterness, upon that heritage Of brighter days, the quickened memory. So I, to whom Tomorrow meaneth nought But one more camp-fire on the long, long trail To the eternal Sand Hills of the Dead, Sit by the fire and dream afresh old dreams; And shadow-shapes like those that leap and dance Upon these walls at every pulse and thrill O' the firelight, troop through my brain until I see again the braves who fought with me And fell and One far brighter than the rest Who hath about her brow a crown of stars. So when thou spake of Star Braves and the maid Who wedded such a warrior, methought I lived again that awful night when she —27— Forsook her mortal friends and rose to dwell In heights celestial past the ken of man. Cloud-of-Morning. Father, tell me, did she return again? Medicine Man. Never. Cloud-of-Morning. Thy story fills my heart with fear. How lonely, O! how lonely she must be Travelling those great sky-seas night by night With our dear world as distant as a dream Spread out beneath her vainly seeking eyes! Medicine Man (meditalively.) It hath always been the loveliest child Of all the nat.on that the Star Braves chose. She was most beautiful as thou art now The fairest daughter of the Blackfeet tribe. Cloud-of-Morning. Nay, nay. Father! .How thou dost frighten me! (While the}) are speaking a brilliant shooting star is seen in the night Cloud-of-Morning (Clasping her h'anJs, then pointing.) O! Father, look at yonder falling star! Medicine Man. How it doth burn the very core of heav'n! Cloud-of-Morning. What meaneth this strange sign? Medicine Man. I never saw But one such flaming brand plunge from the skies. Cloud-of-Morning. And then — And then. Father — -? Medicine Man. 'Twas the Star Brave, — He who came to wed the maiden long ago. Cloud-of-Morning. Look, look again. Father! Can'st thou see a light That kindles like a signal on the crest —28— Of Going-to-the-Sun? But never fire Made by human hands burned with such cold, white, Penetrating beams as yonder radiance. Medicine Man. Aye! Even mine eyes bedimmed with age can sec The glory of it! Cloud-of-Morning. Ah! It comes nearer! (The]^ sit silently, intently ivalching the light approach until gradually a figure is seen through the glow and a beautiful ^outh glides in betrveen the open curtains. He diffuses a Tvonderful brilliance which envelopes the Tvhole stage. He carries a quiver of gold-tipped arrows and about him floats a shimmering gold and silver spangled garment. The Medicme Man and Cloud-of-M orning rise, half bewildered, the girl fearfully clinging to the old man. They salute the youth with deep and reverent bows.) Medicine Man. Welcome, young Stranger-Brave. Whence comest thou? Star Brave. O ! I have come from far beyond the clouds That float above the crown of yonder peak. Cloud-of-Morning (Clinging more closely to the Medicine Man and speaking softly to him.) A Star Brave, Father! An Immortal Brave! Medicine Man (Bowing low again and addressing the youth.) Mas- ter, we greet thee. Tell us of thyself. Star Brave. I bathed in silver pools upon the moon And climbed her horned mountain-tops. How old, How hoary old she seemed! I skimmed the skies And plucked the scattered petals of the clouds. The yellow bloom of stars, the crystal snowflakes Budding in the mist. Gathered the glist'ning Jewels of the rain and rode the rainbow In the storm-cloud's wake. And yet, and yet —29— For all these heavenly joys a loneliness Possessed me. I had dreams, — haunting desires. So when our Lord, the Sun, had gone to rest And drawn about his lodge the curtained night. And each Star Brave had issued on his quest, I stole down here to earth and lighted on Yon peak that stands a-tiptoe toward the sky. Medicine Man. How is it, youth, that thou wouldst care to come ' Amongst us mortals when thou hast the heavens To hunt in? Star Brave. My mother was a woman. Medicine Man. Art thou the child of Snow Bird, fairest maid Of all the Blackfeet nation? Speak! Star Brave. I am. And didst thou, ancient father, know her when She lived among the people of the leaves? Medicine Man. Yea! Listen, boy. I loved her in the days Of my life's Springtime, when my arm was strong And fleet my limbs as any buck that skims The cairns and caverns of this mountain range. I bore the torture of the Young Dogs' Dance For her. (Baring his breast and striding the scars.) Behold! The scars endure till death. Four times the sun rose and four times he set ; Four times the moon swam in the dark night sky ; And still I danced around the pole, with thongs Through my pierced breast, — danced in an agony Until the moon grew dim and from h?r disc —30— Long ropes hung down. Then lo! I leaped, leaped high To grasp at them, and fell to earth released. She looked on me and smiled and I became An honoured member of the Young Dogs' Band. So doubly welcome thou within this Lodge. Come! Warm thy frosty fingers at the blaze. {To the girl.) Quick! CIoud-of-Morning, heap the fagots up Until the sparks fly in a whirl of gold! {The Star Brave rvatches the girl as she piles up l(nots of pine on the fire.) Star Brave. O ! Cloud-of-Morning, rosy is thy cheek As heavenly clouds that blush beneath the sun's Warm kisses. (To the old man.) Are they all so beautiful? Medicine Man. Nay, nay. Star Brave (Approaching the girl.) Come closer, closer. Let me see ihine eyes. As deep and dark are they as purple night, — As shadowy and full of mystery. Yet lighting there within the glooming dusk The soul-fires kindle. (She seel^s to turn arva^.) Hide them not from me! Thy hair! It floweth like a darkling tide! (Strokir^g it.) The downy breasts of clouds were not so soft. Thy flesh! (Passing his hands over her face and throat.) Thy warm, sweet flesh is dewy moist As Spring! Thy lips, maid! (Kissing her.) O! Thy treasured lips that hold —31— The ecstacies we dream not of in Heav'n. Through the charmed archway of their crimson curves I pass into an unguessed Paradise, — A garden grown with scented blooms of love. O! Cloud-of-Morning, I, immortal brave. Do now become a mortal for thy sake. I love thee. (There is a quiver of lightning and the sound of distant thunder.) Cloud-of-Morning. Hark! I am afraid. Star Brave! Hear'st thou the Thunder Bird speak from the sky? He comes with birds of passage and the Spring, With rain and dew and budding things of earth, But never with the Winter's blast and snow. Some evil omen lies in this. O! Flee! Star Brave. Within the magic circle of mine arms No harm can reach thee. Who art thou. Beautiful? Cloud-of-Morning. I am a child of deep, still woods and peaks That thrust their icy lances in the clouds. I know nought else but birds and timid things, The flowers in their unfolding moon by moon, The glades where luscious berries grow. The rocks whence gush the purest springs of earth. Star Brave. Thy voice sings like the wind among the pines! Speak on and fill mine ears with music. Love. Say, dost thou sometimes climb the shining peaks. And gaze up, up towards heaven and the stars? CIoud-of-Morning (Laughing and clapping her hands.) O! Yes, yon hoary giant, bearded o'er —32— With flowing snowdrifts, — he, the ancient Chief Of all the mountain-tribe, — hath borne me up Upon the very shoulders of the world, Where earth seemed far away and e'en the pmes Looked small. There have I seen the golden troop Of stars; the sad, white moon in vain pursuit Of her lost Lord, the Sun. Star Brave. It must have been Thy Spirit beckoning mine that called me here. O! Woman! Little do the cold gods dream Of thy perfection, or thou couldst draw down From the magnetic spaces of the skies. The stars out of their courses, till the sun Burnt out his wrath upon unpeopled wastes! (Thunder and lighlning.) Cloud-of-Morning. Hark, hark again. Brave! Medicine Man. The gods are angry! Cloud-of-Morning. Hasten, hasten back into the skies before The Thunder Bird doth strike with glance of fire! O! I would not have one glittering strand Of thy bright garment suffer for my sake! Star Brave. Then thou dost care? Cloud-of-Morning. O! Ask me not, I pray! Thy dazzling presence holds me in a thrall. Yet I would not forget my Father here. Who saved me on the battlefield and raised me As. his own. I am as one whose eyelids close Beneath the bright-winged Butterfly of Sleep That bringeth dreams, — fair dreams, — too fair, — Star Brave! Star Brave. I cannot leave thee, maiden. Wilt thou come? (Thunder and lightning.) —33— Medicine Man. Thou'rt mad, Star Brave. Take warning! Fly away Before it is too late. The wrath of Heav'n Is let loose on thee! Mark thou my words, for I Have spent a lifetime, drawing to its close. Studying the revelations of the gods. Yet in the seventy cycles of the sun That mark my span of being, never Have I seen the skies in such a tumult. When the silence of the coming winter should Lie like a death-sleep on the tranquil world. Star Brave. But a moment Father. (To Cloud- oj -Morning.) Wouldst come with me To dwell amongst the stars, to sail the skies? Cloud-of-Morning. (Trving to draw arva^, vet seeming powerless.) No! No! I cannot go! I fear! I fear! And yet how lonely will the lean earth seem When thou hast risen into Paradise. Star Brave. Paradise? O! What is Paradise but Love? The skies become a desert if the heart's Desire remain on earth. (Thunder and Lighning.) Medicine Man. The Thunder Bird Approaches. The mountains quake beneath the shock. What hast thou done to call upon thy head The awful vengeance of the Powers Above? Star Brave (Speat^ing half in answer to Medicine Man ]^ei parti]) to Cloud-of-Morning.) O! I have stolen from my heavenly quest, Forsaken the pale-rayed betrothed, the gods Had chosen for my bride. But what care I For wrath of heaven or earth so long as thou, —34— O! Cloud-of-Morning, quiver on my breast. Breathe in my nostrils thy sweet-scented breath. Bend on me thme enchanted gaze and yield To me the magic of thy kiss. Dost see How I adore thee? For thy sake I dare The supreme might of all the gods and shades of evil. Wilt thou go with me and seek Some cavern in the mountains where we may Hide with our love, until the gods, appeased. Invite us to ascend, with them to dwell ? Cloud-of-Morning. Why dost thou tempt me? O! Thou hast my heart. I am as powerless and weak as one New-risen from devouring sickness. O ! . . . (The Star Brave draivs her tontard the open lodge curtains.) Medicine Man. Beware ! There is no cavern deep enough To shield ye, no mountain peak so lofty As to thwart the power of wrath divine. Star Brave. {Half carrying Cloud-of-Moning.) Wilt come with me, love? Cloud-of-Morning. No. Yes — I — I come! (A deafening crash of thunder sounds and a blinding blaze of light fills the stage like a sheet of flame. Through the fire is seen a spread of wings. The Star Brave disappears as if caught up from above. Cloud- of-Morning falls to earth. The Indians who have been sleeping spring to their feet and fly in terror. After the light has died aTvay the Medicine Man bends over Cloud-of-Morning, feels her heart and lifts her head.) Medicine Man. Dead! Dead! Yet who can tell but what her soul, Released, hath gone to join her heavenly lover. Her Star Brave in the Kingdom of the Skies! CURTAIN. —35— .'':*AR -ir fyib ►r- ^ ^^^Z^ifi'. ^ :- -.v'ir -»-,rt: ^' >^Ban t#^ .^^■'V* -^A^-^ ^ -^^.^y ['^^ ^Y!p^' ^^^^-^ ' a ^ :^»'=4*ili »^ 'A>5«»r' ^% ^ '^_^^:^JS^^^^ One copy del. to Cat. Div. ^AH L IS 5^ 7~,ncJ3iEj ■ ■::» — i. F LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 018 349 965 8