The Acorn-Planter, page 2 by Jack London
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expectantly up the hillside. All wear moccasins and are skin-clad, primitive, in their garmenting. Neither iron nor woven cloth occurs in the weapons and gear._
{Shaman}
_(Looking up hillside.)_
Red Cloud is late.
{Old Man}
_(After inspection of hillside.)_
He has chased the deer far. He is patient.
In the chase he is patient like an old man.
{Shaman}
His feet are as fleet as the deer's.
{Old Man}
_(Nodding.)_
And he is more patient than the deer.
{Shaman}
_(Assertively, as if inculcating a lesson.)_
He is a mighty chief.
{Old Man}
_(Nodding.)_
His father was a mighty chief. He is like to
his father.
{Shaman}
_(More assertively.)_
He is his father. It is so spoken. He is
his father's father. He is the first man, the
first Red Cloud, ever born, and born again, to
chiefship of his people.
{Old Man}
It is so spoken.
{Shaman}
His father was the Coyote. His mother was
the Moon. And he was the first man.
{Old Man}
_(Repeating.)_
His father was the Coyote. His mother was
the Moon. And he was the first man.
{Shaman}
He planted the first acorns, and he is very
wise.
{Old Man}
_(Repeating.)_
He planted the first acorns, and he is very
wise.
_(Cries from the women and a turning of
faces. Red Cloud appears among his
hunters descending the hillside. All
carry spears, and bows and arrows.
Some carry rabbits and other small
game. Several carry deer)_
PLAINT OF THE NISHINAM
Red Cloud, the meat-bringer!
Red Cloud, the acorn-planter!
Red Cloud, first man of the Nishinam!
Thy people hunger.
Far have they fared.
Hard has the way been.
Day long they sought,
High in the mountains,
Deep in the pools,
Wide 'mong the grasses,
In the bushes, and tree-tops,
Under the earth and flat stones.
Few are the acorns,
Past is the time for berr