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diff --git a/22104.txt b/22104.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..99ca8e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/22104.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2464 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Acorn-Planter, by Jack London + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Acorn-Planter + A California Forest Play (1916) + +Author: Jack London + +Release Date: July 19, 2007 [EBook #22104] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ACORN-PLANTER *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +THE ACORN-PLANTER + +A California Forest Play +Planned To Be Sung By Efficient Singers +Accompanied By A Capable Orchestra + +By Jack London + + +1916 + + + + +ARGUMENT + + In the morning of the world, while his tribe + makes its camp for the night in a grove, Red + Cloud, the first man of men, and the first man + of the Nishinam, save in war, sings of the duty + of life, which duty is to make life more abundant. + The Shaman, or medicine man, sings of + foreboding and prophecy. The War Chief, who + commands in war, sings that war is the only + way to life. This Red Cloud denies, affirming + that the way of life is the way of the acorn- + planter, and that whoso slays one man slays + the planter of many acorns. Red Cloud wins + the Shaman and the people to his contention. + + After the passage of thousands of years, again + in the grove appear the Nishinam. In Red + Cloud, the War Chief, the Shaman, and the + Dew-Woman are repeated the eternal figures + of the philosopher, the soldier, the priest, and + the woman--types ever realizing themselves + afresh in the social adventures of man. Red + Cloud recognizes the wrecked explorers as + planters and life-makers, and is for treating + them with kindness. But the War Chief and + the idea of war are dominant The Shaman + joins with the war party, and is privy to the + massacre of the explorers. + + A hundred years pass, when, on their seasonal + migration, the Nishinam camp for the night in + the grove. They still live, and the war formula + for life seems vindicated, despite the imminence + of the superior life-makers, the whites, who are + flooding into California from north, south, east, + and west--the English, the Americans, the + Spaniards, and the Russians. The massacre by + the white men follows, and Red Cloud, dying, + recognizes the white men as brother acorn-planters, + the possessors of the superior life-formula + of which he had always been a protagonist. + + In the Epilogue, or Apotheosis, occur the + celebration of the death of war and the triumph + of the acorn-planters. + + + + +PROLOGUE + + Time. _In the morning of the world._ + + Scene. _A forest hillside where great trees stand with wide + spaces between. A stream flows from a spring that bursts + out of the hillside. It is a place of lush ferns and brakes, + also, of thickets of such shrubs as inhabit a redwood forest + floor. At the left, in the open level space at the foot of the + hillside, extending out of sight among the trees, is visible a + portion of a Nishinam Indian camp. It is a temporary + camp for the night. Small cooking fires smoulder. Standing + about are withe-woven baskets for the carrying of supplies + and dunnage. Spears and bows and quivers of arrows lie + about. Boys drag in dry branches for firewood. Young + women fill gourds with water from the stream and proceed + about their camp tasks. A number of older women are + pounding acorns in stone mortars with stone pestles. An + old man and a Shaman, or priest, look 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 berries, + Fled are the fishes, the prawns and the grasshoppers, + Blown far are the grass-seeds, + Flown far are the young birds, + Old are the roots and withered. + Built are the fires for the meat. + Laid are the boughs for sleep, + Yet thy people cannot sleep. + Red Cloud, thy people hunger. + + {Red Cloud} + _(Still descending.)_ + Good hunting! Good hunting! + + {Hunters} + Good hunting! Good hunting! + + _(Completing the descent, Red Cloud + motions to the meat-bearers. They throw + down their burdens before the women, + who greedily inspect the spoils.)_ + + + MEAT SONG OF THE NISHINAM + + Meat that is good to eat, + Tender for old teeth, + Gristle for young teeth, + Big deer and fat deer, + Lean meat and fat meat, + Haunch-meat and knuckle-bone, + Liver and heart. + Food for the old men, + Life for all men, + For women and babes. + Easement of hunger-pangs, + Sorrow destroying, + Laughter provoking, + Joy invoking, + In the smell of its smoking + And its sweet in the mouth. + + _(The younger women take charge of the meat, + and the older women resume their acorn-pounding.)_ + + _(Red Cloud approaches the acorn-pounders + and watches them with pleasure. + All group about him, the Shaman to the + fore, and hang upon his every action, his + every utterance.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + The heart of the acorn is good? + + {First Old Woman} + _(Nodding.)_ + It is good food. + + {Red Cloud} + When you have pounded and winnowed and + washed away the bitter. + + {Second Old Woman} + As thou taught'st us, Red Cloud, when the + world was very young and thou wast the first man. + + {Red Cloud} + It is a fat food. It makes life, and life is good. + + {Shaman} + It was thou, Red Cloud, gathering the acorns + and teaching the storing, who gavest life to the + Nishinam in the lean years aforetime, when the + tribes not of the Nishinam passed like the dew + of the morning. + + _(He nods a signal to the Old Man.)_ + + {Old Man} + In the famine in the old time, + When the old man was a young man, + When the heavens ceased from raining, + When the grasslands parched and withered, + When the fishes left the river, + And the wild meat died of sickness, + In the tribes that knew not acorns, + All their women went dry-breasted, + All their younglings chewed the deer-hides, + All their old men sighed and perished, + And the young men died beside them, + Till they died by tribe and totem, + And o'er all was death upon them. + Yet the Nishinam unvanquished, + Did not perish by the famine. + Oh, the acorns Red Cloud gave them! + Oh, the acorns Red Cloud taught them + How to store in willow baskets + 'Gainst the time and need of famine! + + {Shaman} + _(Who, throughout the Old Man's recital, has + nodded approbation, turning to Red + Cloud.)_ + + Sing to thy people, Red Cloud, the song of + life which is the song of the acorn. + + {Red Cloud} + _(Making ready to begin)_ + And which is the song of woman, O Shaman. + + {Shaman} + _(Hushing the people to listen, solemnly)_ + He sings with his father's lips, and with the + lips of his father's fathers to the beginning of time + and men. + + + SONG OF THE FIRST MAN + + {Red Cloud} + I am Red Cloud, + The first man of the Nishinam. + My father was the Coyote. + My mother was the Moon. + The Coyote danced with the stars, + And wedded the Moon on a mid-summer night + The Coyote is very wise, + The Moon is very old, + Mine is his wisdom, + Mine is her age. + I am the first man. + I am the life-maker and the father of life. + I am the fire-bringer. + The Nishinam were the first men, + And they were without fire, + And knew the bite of the frost of bitter nights. + The panther stole the fire from the East, + The fox stole the fire from the panther, + The ground squirrel stole the fire from the fox, + And I, Red Cloud, stole the fire from the ground squirrel. + I, Red Cloud, stole the fire for the Nishinam, + And hid it in the heart of the wood. + To this day is the fire there in the heart of the wood. + I am the Acorn-Planter. + I brought down the acorns from heaven. + I planted the short acorns in the valley. + I planted the long acorns in the valley. + I planted the black-oak acorns that sprout, that sprout! + I planted the _sho-kum_ and all the roots of the ground. + I planted the oat and the barley, the beaver-tail grass-nut, + The tar-weed and crow-foot, rock lettuce and ground lettuce, + And I taught the virtue of clover in the season of blossom, + The yellow-flowered clover, ball-rolled in its yellow dust. + I taught the cooking in baskets by hot stones from the fire, + Took the bite from the buckeye and soap-root + By ground-roasting and washing in the sweetness of water, + And of the manzanita the berry I made into flour, + Taught the way of its cooking with hot stones in sand pools, + And the way of its eating with the knobbed tail of the deer. + Taught I likewise the gathering and storing, + The parching and pounding + Of the seeds from the grasses and grass-roots; + And taught I the planting of seeds in the Nishinam home-camps, + In the Nishinam hills and their valleys, + In the due times and seasons, + To sprout in the spring rains and grow ripe in the sun. + + {Shaman} + Hail, Red Cloud, the first man! + + {The People} + Hail, Red Cloud, the first man! + + {Shaman} + Who showedst us the way of our feet in the world! + + {The People} + Who showedst us the way of our feet in the world! + + {Shaman} + Who showedst us the way of our food in the world! + + {The People} + Who showedst us the way of our food in the world! + + {Shaman} + Who showedst us the way of our hearts in the world! + + {The People} + Who showedst us the way of our hearts in the world! + + {Shaman} + Who gavest us the law of family! + + {The People} + Who gavest us the law of family! + + {Shaman} + The law of tribe! + + {The People} + The law of tribe! + + {Shaman} + The law of totem! + + {The People} + The law of totem! + + {Shaman} + And madest us strong in the world among men! + + {The People} + And madest us strong in the world among men! + + {Red Cloud} + Life is good, O Shaman, and I have sung but + half its song. Acorns are good. So is woman + good. Strength is good. Beauty is good. So is + kindness good. Yet are all these things without + power except for woman. And by these things + woman makes strong men, and strong men make + for life, ever for more life. + + {War Chief} + _(With gesture of interruption that causes + remonstrance from the Shaman but which + Red Cloud acknowledges.)_ + + I care not for beauty. I desire strength in + battle and wind in the chase that I may kill my + enemy and run down my meat. + + {Red Cloud} + Well spoken, O War Chief. By voices in + council we learn our minds, and that, too, is + strength. Also, is it kindness. For kindness + and strength and beauty are one. The eagle in + the high blue of the sky is beautiful. The salmon + leaping the white water in the sunlight is beautiful. + The young man fastest of foot in the race + is beautiful. And because they fly well, and leap + well, and run well, are they beautiful. Beauty + must beget beauty. The ring-tail cat begets + the ring-tail cat, the dove the dove. Never + does the dove beget the ring-tail cat. Hearts + must be kind. The little turtle is not kind. + That is why it is the little turtle. It lays its + eggs in the sun-warm sand and forgets its young + forever. And the little turtle is forever the + Kttle turtle. But we are not little turtles, + because we are kind. We do not leave our young + to the sun in the sand. Our women keep our + young warm under their hearts, and, after, they + keep them warm with deer-skin and campfire. + Because we are kind we are men and not little + turtles, and that is why we eat the little turtle + that is not strong because it is not kind. + + {War Chief} + _(Gesturing to be heard.)_ + The Modoc come against us in their strength. + Often the Modoc come against us. We cannot + be kind to the Modoc. + + {Red Cloud} + That will come after. Kindness grows. First + must we be kind to our own. After, long after, + all men will be kind to all men, and all men will + be very strong. The strength of the Nishinam + is not the strength of its strongest fighter. It is + the strength of all the Nishinam added together + that makes the Nishinam strong. We talk, you + and I, War Chief and First Man, because we are + kind one to the other, and thus we add together + our wisdom, and all the Nishinam are stronger + because we have talked. + + _(A voice is heard singing. Red Cloud + holds up his hand for silence.)_ + + + MATING SONG + + {Dew-Woman} + In the morning by the river, + In the evening at the fire, + In the night when all lay sleeping, + Torn was I with life's desire. + There were stirrings 'neath my heart-beats + Of the dreams that came to me; + In my ears were whispers, voices, + Of the children yet to be. + + {Red Cloud} + _(As Red Cloud sings, Dew-Woman + steals from behind a tree and approaches + him.)_ + + In the morning by the river + Saw I first my maid of dew, + Daughter of the dew and dawnlight, + Of the dawn and honey-dew. + She was laughter, she was sunlight, + Woman, maid, and mate, and wife; + She was sparkle, she was gladness, + She was all the song of life. + + {Dew-Woman} + In the night I built my fire, + Fire that maidens foster when + In the ripe of mating season + Each builds for her man of men. + + {Red Cloud} + In the night I sought her, proved her, + Found her ease, content, and rest, + After day of toil and struggle + Man's reward on woman's breast. + + {Dew-Woman} + Came to me my mate and lover; + Kind the hands he laid on me; + Wooed me gently as a man may, + Father of the race to be. + + {Red Cloud} + Soft her arms about me bound me, + First man of the Nishinam, + Arms as soft as dew and dawnlight, + Daughter of the Nishinam. + + {Red Cloud} + She was life and she was woman! + + {Dew-Woman} + He was life and he was man! + + {Red Cloud} and Dew-Woman + + _(Arms about each other.)_ + In the dusk-time of our love-night, + There beside the marriage fire, + Proved we all the sweets of living, + In the arms of our desire. + + {War Chief} + _(Angrily.)_ + The councils of men are not the place for + women. + + {Red Cloud} + _(Gently.)_ + As men grow kind and wise there will be + women in the councils of men. As men grow + their women must grow with them if they would + continue to be the mothers of men. + + {War Chief} + It is told of old time that there are women in + the councils of the Sim. And is it not told that + the Sun Man will destroy us? + + {Red Cloud} + Then is the Sun Man the stronger; it may be + because of his kindness and wiseness, and because + of his women. + + {Young Brave} + Is it told that the women of the Sun are good + to the eye, soft to the arm, and a fire in the heart + of man? + + {Shaman} + _(Holding up hand solemnly.)_ + It were well, lest the young do not forget, to + repeat the old word again. + + {War Chief} + _(Nodding confirmation.)_ + Here, where the tale is told. + + _(Pointing to the spring.)_ + Here, where the water burst from under the heel + of the Sun Man mounting into the sky. + + _(War Chief leads the way up the hillside + to the spring, and signals to the Old Man + to begin)_ + + {Old Man} + When the world was in the making, + Here within the mighty forest, + Came the Sun Man every morning. + White and shining was the Sun Man, + Blue his eyes were as the sky-blue, + Bright his hair was as dry grass is, + Warm his eyes were as the sun is, + Fruit and flower were in his glances; + All he looked on grew and sprouted, + As these trees we see about us, + Mightiest trees in all the forest, + For the Sun Man looked upon them. + + Where his glance fell grasses seeded, + Where his feet fell sprang upstarting-- + Buckeye woods and hazel thickets, + Berry bushes, manzanita, + Till his pathway was a garden, + Flowing after like a river, + Laughing into bud and blossom. + There was never frost nor famine + And the Nishinam were happy, + Singing, dancing through the seasons, + Never cold and never hungered, + When the Sun Man lived among us. + + But the foxes mean and cunning, + Hating Nishinam and all men, + Laid their snares within this forest, + Caught the Sun Man in the morning, + With their ropes of sinew caught him, + Bound him down to steal his wisdom + And become themselves bright Sun Men, + Warm of glance and fruitful-footed, + Masters of the frost and famine. + + Swiftly the Coyote running + Came to aid the fallen Sun Man, + Swiftly killed the cunning foxes, + Swiftly cut the ropes of sinew, + Swiftly the Coyote freed him. + + But the Sun Man in his anger, + Lightning flashing, thunder-throwing, + Loosed the frost and fanged the famine, + Thorned the bushes, pinched the berries, + Put the bitter in the buckeye, + Rocked the mountains to their summits, + Flung the hills into the valleys, + Sank the lakes and shoaled the rivers, + Poured the fresh sea in the salt sea, + Stamped his foot here in the forest, + Where the water burst from under + Heel that raised him into heaven-- + Angry with the world forever + Rose the Sun Man into heaven. + + {Shaman} + _(Solemnly.)_ + I am the Shaman. I know what has gone + before and what will come after. I have passed + down through the gateway of death and talked + with the dead. My eyes have looked upon the + unseen things. My ears have heard the + unspoken words. And now I shall tell you of + the Sun Man in the days to come. + + _(Shaman stiffens suddenly with hideous + facial distortions, with inturned eye-balls + and loosened jaw. He waves his arms + about, writhes and twists in torment, as + if in epilepsy.)_ + + _(The Women break into a wailing, inarticulate + chant, swaying their bodies to the + accent. The men join them somewhat + reluctantly, all save Red Cloud, who + betrays vexation, and War Chief, who + betrays truculence.)_ + + _(Shaman, leading the rising frenzy, with + convulsive shiverings and tremblings tears + of his skin garments so that he is quite + naked save for a girdle of eagle-claws + about his thighs. His long black hair + flies about his face. With an abruptness + that is startling, he ceases all movement + and stands erect, rigid. This is greeted + with a low moaning that slowly dies + away.)_ + + + CHANT OF PROPHECY + + {Shaman} + The Sun never grows cold. + The Sun Man is like the Sun. + His anger never grows cold. + The Sun Man will return. + The Sun Man will come back from the Sun. + + {People} + The Sun Man will return. + The Sun Man will come back from the Sun. + + {Shaman} + There is a sign. + As the water burst forth when he rose into the sky, + So will the water cease to flow when he returns from the sky. + The Sun Man is mighty. + In his eyes is blue fire. + In his hands he bears the thunder. + The lightnings are in his hair. + + {People} + In his hands he bears the thunder. + The lightnings are in his hair. + + {Shaman} + There is a sign. + The Sun Man is white. + His skin is white like the sun. + His hair is bright like the sunlight.' + His eyes are blue like the sky. + + {People} + There is a sign. + The Sun Man is white. + + {Shaman} + The Sun Man is mighty. + He is the enemy of the Nishinam. + He will destroy the Nishinam. + + {People} + He is the enemy of the Nishinam. + He will destroy the Nishinam. + + {Shaman} + There is a sign. + The Sun Man will bear the thunder in his hand. + + {People} + There is a sign. + The Sun Man will bear the thunder in his hand. + + {Shaman} + In the day the Sun Man comes + The water from the spring will no longer flow. + And in that day he will destroy the Nishinam. + With the thunder will he destroy the Nishinam. + The Nishinam will be like last year's grasses. + The Nishinam will be like the smoke of last year's campfires. + The Nishinam will be less than the dreams that trouble the sleeper. + The Nishinam will be like the days no man remembers. + I am the Shaman. + I have spoken. + + _(The People set up a sad wailing.)_ + + {War Chief} + _(Striking his chest with his fist.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + + _(The People cease from their wailing and + look to the War Chief with hopeful + expectancy.)_ + + {War Chief} + I am the War Chief. In war I command. + Nor the Shaman nor Red Cloud may say me nay + when in war I command. Let the Sun Man + come back. I am not afraid. If the foxes snared + him with ropes, then can I slay him with spear- + thrust and war-club. I am the War Chief. In + war I command. + + _(The People greet War Chief's pronouncement + with warlike cries of approval.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + The foxes are cunning. If they snared the Sun Man + With ropes of sinew, then let us be cunning + And snare him with ropes of kindness. + In kindness, O War Chief, is strength, much strength. + + {Shaman} + Red Cloud speaks true. In kindness is strength. + + {War Chief} + I am the War Chief. + + {Shaman} + You cannot slay the Sun Man. + + {War Chief} + I am the War Chief. + + {Shaman} + The Sun Man fights with the thunder in his hand. + + {War Chief} + I am the War Chief. + + {Red Cloud} + _(As he speaks the People are visibly wan by + his argument.)_ + + You speak true, O War Chief. In war you + command. You are strong, most strong. You + have slain the Modoc. You have slain the Napa. + You have slain the Clam-Eaters of the big water + till the last one is not. Yet you have not slain + all the foxes. The foxes cannot fight, yet are + they stronger than you because you cannot slay + them. The foxes are foxes, but we are men. + When the Sun Man comes we will not be cunning + like the foxes. We will be kind. Kindness and + love will we give to the Sun Man, so that he will + be our friend. Then will he melt the frost, pull + the teeth of famine, give us back our rivers of + deep water, our lakes of sweet water, take the + bitter from the buckeye, and in all ways make + the world the good world it was before he left us. + + {People} + Hail, Red Cloud, the first man! + Hail, Red Cloud, the Acorn-Planter! + Who showed us the way of our feet in the world! + Who showed us the way of our food in the world! + Who showed us the way of our hearts in the world! + Who gave us the law of family, + The law of tribe, + The law of totem, + And made us strong in the world among men! + + _(While the People sing the hillside slowly + grows dark.)_ + + + + + ACT I + + _(Ten thousand years have passed, and it is + the time of the early voyaging from Europe + to the waters of the Pacific, when the + deserted hillside is again revealed as the + moon rises. The stream no longer flows + from the spring. Since the grove is used + only as a camp for the night when the + Nishinam are on their seasonal migration + there are no signs of previous camps.)_ + + _(Enter from right, at end of day's march, + women, old men, and Shaman, the + women bending under their burdens of + camp gear and dunnage)_ + + _(Enter from left youths carrying fish-spears + and large fish)_ + + _(Appear, coming down the hillside, Red + Cloud and the hunters, many carrying + meat.)_ + + _(The various repeated characters, despite + differences of skin garmenting and decoration, + resemble their prototypes of the prologue.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + Good hunting! Good hunting! + + {Hunters} + Good hunting! Good hunting! + + {Youths} + Good fishing! Good fishing! + + {Women} + Good berries! Good acorns! + + _(The women and youths and hunters, as they + reach the campsite, begin throwing down + their burdens)_ + + {Dew-Woman} + _(Discovering the dry spring.)_ + The water no longer flows! + + {Shaman} + _(Stilling the excitement that is immediate + on the discovery.)_ + The word of old time that has come down to + us from all the Shamans who have gone before! + The Sun Man has come back from the Sun. + + {Dew-Woman} + _(Looking to Red Cloud.)_ + Let Red Cloud speak. Since the morning of + the world has Red Cloud ever been reborn with + the ancient wisdom to guide us. + + {War Chief} + Save in war. In war I command. + + _(He picks out hunters by name.)_ + Deer Foot... Elk Man... Antelope. Run + through the forest, climb the hill-tops, seek down + the valleys, for aught you may find of this Sun Man. + + _(At a wave of the War Chief's hand the + three hunters depart in different directions.)_ + + {Dew-Woman} + Let Red Cloud speak his mind. + + {Red Cloud} + _(Quietly)_ + Last night the earth shook and there was a + roaring in the air. Often have I seen, when the + earth shakes and there is a roaring, that springs + in some places dry up, and that in other places + where were no springs, springs burst forth. + + {Shaman} + There is a sign. + The Shamans told it of old. + The Sun Man will bear the thunder in his hand. + + {People} + There is a sign. + The Sun Man will bear the thunder in his hand. + + {Shaman} + The roaring in the air was the thunder of the + Sun Man's return. Now will he destroy the + Nishinam. Such is the word. + + {War Chief} + Hoh! Hoh! + + _(From right Deer Foot runs in.)_ + + {Deer Foot} + _(Breathless.)_ + They come! He comes! + + {War Chief} + Who comes? + + {Deer Foot} + The Sun Men. The Sun Man. He is their + chief. He marches before them. And he is + white. + + {People} + There is a sign. + The Sun Man is white. + + {Red Cloud} + Carries he the thunder in his hand? + + {Deer Foot} + _(Puzzled)_ + He looks hungry. + + {War Chief} + Hoh! Hoh! The Sun Man is hungry. It + will be easy to kill a hungry Sun Man. + + {Red Cloud} + It would be easy to be kind to a hungry Sun + Man and give him food. We have much. The + hunting has been good. + + {War Chief} + Better to kill the Sun Man. + + _(He turns upon People, indicating most + commands in gestures as he prepares the + ambush, making women and boys conceal + all the camp outfit and game, and + disposing the armed hunters among the + ferns and behind trees till all are hidden.)_ + + {Elk Man and Antelope} + _(Running down hillside)_ + The Sun Man comes. + + _(War Chief sends them to hiding places)_ + + {War Chief} + _(Preparing himself to hide)_ + You have not hidden, O Red Cloud. + + {Red Cloud} + _(Stepping into shadow of big tree where he + remains inconspicuous though dimly + visible)_ + I would see this Sun Man and talk with him. + + _(The sound of singing is heard, and War + Chief conceals himself)_ + + _(Sun Man, with handful of followers, singing + to ease the tedium of the march, enter + from right. They are patently survivors + of a wrecked exploring skip, making their + way inland)_ + + {Sun Men} + We sailed three hundred strong + For the far Barbaree; + Our voyage has been most long + For the far Barbaree; + So--it's a long pull, + Give a strong pull, + For the far Barbaree. + + We sailed the oceans wide + For the coast of Barbaree; + And left our ship a sinking + On the coast of Barbaree; + So--it's a long pull, + Give a strong pull, + For the far Barbaree. + + Our ship went fast a-lee + On the rocks of Barbaree; + That's why we quit the sea + On the rocks of Barbaree. + So--it's a long pull, + Give a strong pull, + For the far Barbaree. + + We quit the bitter seas + On the coast of Barbaree; + To seek the savag-ees + Of the far Barbaree. + So--it's a long pull, + Give a strong pull, + For the far Barbaree. + + Our feet are lame and sore + In the far Barbaree; + From treading of the shore + Of the far Barbaree. + So--it's a long pull, + Give a strong pull, + For the far Barbaree. + + A weary brood are we + In the far Barbaree; + Sea cunies of the sea + In the far Barbaree. + So--it's a long pull, + Give a strong pull, + For the far Barbaree. + + {Sun Man} + _(Who alone carries a musket, and who is + evidently captain of the wrecked company)_ + No farther can we go this night. Mayhap + to-morrow we may find the savages and food. + + _(He glances about.)_ + This far world grows noble trees. We shall sleep + as in a temple. + + {First Sea Cuny} + _(Espying Red Cloud, and pointing.)_ + Look, Captain! + + {Sun Man} + _(Making the universal peace-sign, arm + raised and out, palm-outward.)_ + Who are you? Speak. We come in peace. + We kindness seek. + + {Red Cloud} + _(Advancing out of the shadow.)_ + Whence do you come? + + {Sun Man} + From the great sea. + + {Red Cloud} + I do not understand. No one journeys + on the great sea. + + {Sun Man} + We have journeyed many moons. + + {Red Cloud} + Have you come from the sun? + + {Sun Man} + God wot! We have journeyed across the + sun, high and low in the sky, and over the sun + and under the sun the round world 'round. + + {Red Cloud} + _(With conviction.)_ + You come from the Sun. Your hair is like + the summer sunburnt grasses. Your eyes are + blue. Your skin is white. + + _(With absolute conviction.)_ + You are the Sun Man. + + {Sun Man} + _(With a shrug of shoulders.)_ + Have it so. I come from the Sun. I am the + Sun Man. + + {Red Cloud} + Do you carry the thunder in your hand? + + {Sun Man} + _(Nonplussed for the moment, glances at + his musket, then smiles.)_ + Yes, I carry the thunder in my hand. + + _(War Chief and the Hunters leap + suddenly from ambush. Sun Man + warns Sea Cunies not to resist. War + Chief captures and holds Sun Man, + and Sea Cunies are similarly captured + and held. Women and boys appear, and + examine prisoners curiously.)_ + + {War Chief} + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! I have captured the + Sun Man! Like the foxes, I have captured + the Sun Man!--Deer Foot! Elk Man! The + foxes held the Sun Man. I now hold the Sun + Man. Then can you hold the Sun Man. + + _(Deer Foot and Elk Man seize the Sun + Man.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + _(To Shaman.)_ + He said he came in kindness. + + {War Chief} + _(Sneering.)_ + In kindness, with the thunder in his hand. + + {Shaman} + _(Deflected to partisanship of War Chief + by War Chief's success.)_ + By his own lips has he said it, with the thunder + in his hand. + + {War Chief} + You are the Sun Man. + + {Sun Man} + _(Shrugging shoulders.)_ + My names are many as the stars. Call me + White Man. + + {Red Cloud} + I am Red Cloud, the first man. + + {Sun Man} + Then am I Adam, the first man and your + brother. + + _(Glancing about.)_ + And this is Eden, to look upon it. + + {Red Cloud} + My father was the Coyote. + + {Sun Man} + My father was Jehovah. + + {Red Cloud} + I am the Fire-Bringer. I stole the fire from + the ground squirrel and hid it in the heart of + the wood. + + {Sun Man} + Then am I Prometheus, your brother. I + stole the fire from heaven and hid it in the heart + of the wood. + + {Red Cloud} + I am the Acorn-Planter. I am the Food- + Bringer, the Life-Maker. I make food for + more life, ever more life. + + {Sun Man} + Then am I truly your brother. Life-Maker + am I, tilling the soil in the sweat of my brow + from the beginning of time, planting all manner + of good seeds for the harvest. + + _(Looking sharply at Red Cloud's skin + garments.)_ + Also am I the Weaver and Cloth-Maker. + + _(Holding out arm so that Red Cloud may + examine the cloth of the coat)_ + From the hair of the goat and the wool of + the sheep, and from beaten and spun grasses, + do I make the cloth to keep man warm. + + {Shaman} + _(Breaking in boastfully.)_ + I am the Shaman. I know all secret things. + + {Sun Man} + I know my pathway under the sun over all + the seas, and I know the secrets of the stars + that show me my path where no path is. I + know when the Wolf of Darkness shall eat the + moon. + + _(Pointing toward moon.)_ + On this night shall the Wolf of Darkness eat + the moon. + + _(He turns suddenly to Red Cloud, + drawing sheath-knife and passing it + to him.)_ + + More, O First Man and Acorn-Planter. I am + the Iron-Maker. Behold! + + _(Red Cloud examines knife, understands + immediately its virtue, cuts easily a strip + of skin from his skin garment, and is + overcome with the wonder of the knife.)_ + + {War Chief} + _(Exhibiting a long bow.)_ + I am the War Chief. No man, save me, has + strength to bend this bow. I can slay farther + than any man. + + _(A huge bear has come out among the + bushes far up the hillside)_ + + {Sun Man} + I, too, am War Chief over men, and I can + slay farther than you. + + {War Chief} + Hoh! Hoh! + + {Sun Man} + _(Pointing to bear)_ + Can you slay that with your strong bow? + + {War Chief} + _(Dubiously)_ + It is a far shot. Too far. No man can slay + a great bear so far. + + _(Sun Man, shaking off from his arms the + hands of Deer Foot and Elk Man, + aims musket and fires. The bear falls, + and the Nishinam betray astonishment + and awe)_ + + _(At a quick signal from War Chief, + Sun Man is again seized. War Chief + takes away musket and examines it.)_ + + {Shaman} + There is a sign. + + {People} + There is a sign. + He carries the thunder in his hand. + He slays with the thunder in his hand. + He is the enemy of the Nishinam. + He will destroy the Nishinam. + + {Shaman} + There is a sign. + + {People} + There is a sign. + In the day the Sun Man comes, + The waters from the spring will no longer flow, + And in that day will he destroy the Nishinam. + + {War Chief} + _(Exhibiting musket.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! I have taken the Sun Man's + thunder. + + {Shaman} + Now shall the Sun Man die that the Nishinam + may live. + + {Red Cloud} + He is our brother. He, too, is an acorn- + planter. He has spoken. + + {Shaman} + He is the Sun Man, and he is our eternal + enemy. He shall die. + + {War Chief} + In war I command. + + _(To Hunters.)_ + Tie their feet with stout thongs that they + may not run. And then make ready with bow + and arrow to do the deed. + + _(Hunters obey, urging and thrusting the + Sea Cunies into a compact group behind + the Sun Man.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + Shaman I am not. + I know not the secret things. + I say the things I know. + When you plant kindness you harvest kindness. + When you plant blood you harvest blood. + He who plants one acorn makes way for life. + He who slays one man slays the planter of a + thousand acorns. + + {Shaman} + Shaman I am. + I see the dark future. + I see the Sun Man's death, + The journey he must take + Through thick and endless forest + Where lost souls wander howling + A thousand moons of moons. + + {People} + Through thick and endless forest + Where lost souls wander howling + A thousand moons of moons. + + _(War Chief arranges Hunters with their + bows and arrows for the killing.)_ + + {Sun Man} + _(To Red Cloud.)_ + You will slay us? + + {Red Cloud} + _(Indicating War Chief.)_ + In war he commands. + + {Sun Man} + _(Addressing the Nishinam)_ + Nor am I a Shaman. But I will tell you true + things to be. Our brothers are acorn-planters, + cloth-weavers, iron-workers. Our brothers are + life-makers and masters of life. Many are our + brothers and strong. They will come after us. + Your First Man has spoken true words. When + you plant blood you harvest blood. Our brothers + will come to the harvest with the thunder + in their hands. There is a sign. This night, + and soon, will the Wolf of Darkness eat the + moon. And by that sign will our brothers come + on the trail we have broken. + + _(As final preparation for the killing is + completed, and as Hunters are arranged + with their bows and arrows, + Sun Man sings.)_ + + {Sun Man} + Our brothers will come after, + On our trail to farthest lands; + Our brothers will come after + With the thunder in their hands. + + {Sun Men} + Loud will be the weeping, + Red will be the reaping, + High will be the heaping + Of the slain their law commands. + + {Sun Man} + Givers of law, our brothers, + This is the law they say: + Who takes the life of a brother + Ten of the slayers shall pay. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers will come after, + On our trail to farthest lands; + Our brothers will come after + With the thunder in their hands. + Loud will be the weeping, + Red will be the reaping, + High will be the heaping + Of the slain their law commands. + + {Sun Man} + Our brothers will come after + By the courses that we lay; + Many and strong our brothers, + Masters of life are they. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers will come after + On our trail to farthest lands; + Our brothers will come after + With the thunder in their hands. + Loud will be the weeping, + Red will be the reaping, + High will be the heaping + Of the slain their law commands. + + {Sun Man} + Plowers of land, our brothers, + Of the hills and pleasant leas; + Under the sun our brothers + With their keels will plow the seas. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers will come after, + On our trail to farthest lands; + Our brothers will come after + With the thunder in their hands. + Loud will be the weeping, + Red will be the reaping, + High will be the heaping + Of the slain their law commands. + + {Sun Man} + Mighty men are our brothers, + Quick to forgive and to wrath, + Sailing the seas, our brothers + Will follow us on our path. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers will come after, + On our trail to farthest lands; + Our brothers will come after + With the thunder in their hands. + Loud will be the weeping, + Red will be the reaping, + High will be the heaping + Of the slain their law commands. + + _(At signal from War Chief the arrows + are discharged, and repeatedly + discharged. The Sun Men fall. The War + Chief himself kills the Sun Man.)_ + + _(In what follows, Red Cloud and Dew- + Woman stand aside, taking no part. + Red Cloud is depressed, and at the + same time is overcome with the wonder + of the knife which he still holds.)_ + + {War Chief} + _(Brandishing musket and drifting stiff- + legged, as he sings, into the beginning + of a war dance of victory.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + I have slain the Sun Man! + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + I hold his thunder in my hand! + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + Greatest of War Chiefs am I! + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + I have slain the Sun Man! + + _(The dance grows wilder.)_ + + _(After a time the hillside begins to darken)_ + + {Dew-Woman} + _(Pointing to the moon entering eclipse)_ + Lo! The Wolf of Darkness eats the Moon! + + _(In consternation the dance is broken off + for the moment)_ + + {Shaman} + _(Reassuringly)_ + It is a sign. + The Sun Man is dead. + + {War Chief} + _(Recovering courage and resuming dance.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man is dead! + + {People} + _(Resuming dance.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man is dead! + + _(As darkness increases the dance grows + into a saturnalia, until complete darkness + settles down and hides the hillside.)_ + + + + +ACT II + + _(A hundred years have passed, when the + hillside and the Nishinam in their + temporary camp are revealed. The spring + is flowing, and Women are filling gourds + with water. Red Cloud and Dew- + Woman stand apart from their people.)_ + + {Shaman} + _(Pointing.)_ + There is a sign. + The spring lives. + The water flows from the spring + And all is well with the Nishinam. + + {People} + There is a sign. + The spring lives. + The water flows from the spring. + + {War Chief} + _(Boastingly.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + All is well with the Nishinam. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + It is I who have made all well with the Nishinam. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + + I led our young men against the Napa. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + We left no man living of the camp. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + + {Shaman} + Great is our War Chief! + Good is war! + No more will the Napa hunt our meat. + No more will the Napa pick our berries. + No more will the Napa catch our fish. + + {People} + No more will the Napa hunt our meat. + No more will the Napa pick our berries. + No more will the Napa catch our fish. + + {War Chief} + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The War Chiefs before me made all well with + the Nishinam. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The War Chief of long ago slew the Sun Man. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man said his brothers would come after. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man lied. + + {People} + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man lied. + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man lied. + + {Shaman} + _(Derisively.)_ + Red Cloud is sick. He lives in dreams. Ever + he dreams of the wonders of the Sun Man. + + {Red Cloud} + The Sun Man was strong. The Sun Man was + a life-maker. The Sun Man planted acorns, + and cut quickly with a knife not of bone nor + stone, and of grasses and hides made cunning + cloth that is better than all grasses and hides. + --Old Man, where is the cunning cloth that is + better than all grasses and hides? + + {Old Man} + _(Fumbling in his skin pouch for the doth.)_ + In the many moons aforetime, + Hundred moons and many hundred, + When the old man was the young man, + When the young man was the youngling, + Dragging branches for the campfire, + Stealing suet from the bear-meat, + Cause of trouble to his mother, + Came the Sun Man in the night-time. + I alone of all the Nishinam + Live to-day to tell the story; + I alone of all the Nishinam + Saw the Sun Man come among us, + Heard the Sun Man and his Sun Men + Sing their death-song here among us + Ere they died beneath our arrows, + War Chief's arrows sharp and feathered-- + + {War Chief} + _(Interrupting braggartly.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + + {Old Man} + _(Producing cloth.)_ + And the Sun Man and his Sun Men + Wore nor hair nor hide nor birdskin. + Cloth they wore from beaten grasses + Woven like our willow baskets, + Willow-woven acorn baskets + Women make in acorn season. + + _(Old Man hands piece of cloth to Red + Cloud.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + _(Admiring cloth.)_ + The Sun Man was an acorn-planter, and we + killed the Sun Man. We were not kind. We + made a blood-debt. Blood-debts are not good. + + {Shaman} + The Sun Man lied. His brothers did not come + after. There is no blood-debt when there is no + one to make us pay. + + {Red Cloud} + He who plants acorns reaps food, and food is + life. He who sows war reaps war, and war is death. + + {People} + _(Encouraged by Shaman and War Chief + to drown out Red Cloud's voice.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man is dead! + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + The Sun Man and his Sun Men are dead! + + {Red Cloud} + _(Shaking his head.)_ + His brothers of the Sun are coming after. + I have reports. + + _(Red Cloud beckons one after another of + the young hunters to speak)_ + + {First Hunter} + To the south, not far, I wandered and lived + with the Petaluma. With my eyes I did not + see, but it was told me by those whose eyes had + seen, that still to the south, not far, were many + Sun Men--war chiefs who carry the thunder in + their hands; cloth-makers and weavers of cloth + like to that in Red Cloud's hand; acorn-planters + who plant all manner of strange seeds that ripen + to rich harvests of food that is good. And there + had been trouble. The Petaluma had killed + Sun Men, and many Petaluma had the Sun Men + killed. + + {Second Hunter} + To the east, not far, I wandered and lived with + the Solano. With my own eyes I did not see, + but it was told me by those whose eyes had seen, + that still to the east, not far, and just beyond the + lands of the Tule tribes, were many Sun Men-- + war chiefs and cloth-makers and acorn-planters. + And there had been trouble. The Solano had + killed Sun Men, and many Solano had the Sun Men killed. + + {Third Hunter} + To the north, and far, I wandered and lived + with the Klamath. With my own eyes I did + not see, but it was told me by those whose eyes + had seen, that still to the north, and far, were + many Sun Men--war chiefs and cloth-makers + and acorn-planters. And there had been trouble. + The Klamath had killed Sun Men, and many + Klamath had the Sun Men killed. + + {Fourth Hunter} + To the west, not far, three days gone I + wandered, where, from the mountain, I looked + down upon the great sea. With my own eyes + I saw. It was like a great bird that swam upon + the water. It had great wings like to our great + trees here. And on its back I saw men, many + men, and they were Sun Men. With my own + eyes I saw. + + {Red Cloud} + We shall be kind to the Sun Men when they + come among us. + + {War Chief} + _(Dancing stiff-legged.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + Let the Sun Men come! + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + We will kill the Sun Men when they come! + + {People} + _(As they join in the war dance.)_ + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + Let the Sun Men come! + Hoh! Hoh! Hoh! + We will kill the Sun Men when they come. + + _(The dance grows wilder, the Shaman and + War Chief encouraging it, while Red + Cloud and Dew-Woman stand sadly at + a distance.)_ + + _(Rifle shots ring out from every side. Up + the hillside appear Sun Men firing rifles. + The Nishinam reel to death from their + dancing.)_ + + _(Red Cloud shields Dew-Woman with + one arm about her, and with the other arm + makes the peace-sign)_ + + _(The massacre is complete, Dew-Woman + and Red Cloud being the last to fall. + Red Cloud, wounded, the sole survivor, + rests on his elbow and watches the Sun + Men assemble about their leader)_ + + _(The Sun Men are the type of pioneer + Americans who, even before the discovery + of gold, were already drifting across the + Sierras and down into Oregon and + California with their oxen and great wagons. + With here and there a Rocky Mountain + trapper or a buckskin-clad scout of the + Kit Carson type, in the main they are + backwoods farmers. All carry the long + rifle of the period.)_ + + _(The Sun Man is buckskin-clad, with long + blond hair sweeping his shoulders.)_ + + {Sun Men} + _(Led by Sun Man.)_ + We crossed the Western Ocean + Three hundred years ago, + We cleared New England's forests + Three hundred years ago. + Blow high, blow low, + Heigh hi, heigh ho, + We cleared New England's forests + Three hundred years ago. + + We climbed the Alleghanies + Two hundred years ago, + We reached the Susquehanna + Two hundred years ago. + Blow high, blow low, + Heigh hi, heigh ho, + We reached the Susquehanna + Two hundred years ago. + + We crossed the Mississippi + One hundred years ago, + And glimpsed the Rocky Mountains + One hundred years ago. + Blow high, blow low, + Heigh hi, heigh ho, + And glimpsed the Rocky Mountains + One hundred years ago. + + We passed the Rocky Mountains + A year or so ago, + And crossed the salty deserts + A year or so ago. + Blow high, blow low, + Heigh hi, heigh ho, + And crossed the salty deserts + A year or so ago. + + We topped the high Sierras + But a few days ago, + And saw great California + But a few days ago. + Blow high, blow low, + Heigh hi, heigh ho, + And saw great California + But a few days ago. + + We crossed Sonoma's mountains + An hour or so ago, + And found this mighty forest + An hour or so ago. + Blow high, blow low, + Heigh hi, heigh ho, + And found this mighty forest + An hour or so ago. + + {Sun Man} + _(Glancing about at the slain and at the giant + forest.)_ + Good the day, good the deed, and good this + California land. + + {Red Cloud} + Not with these eyes, but with other eyes in my + lives before, have I beheld you. You are the + Sun Man. + + _(The attention of all is drawn to Red + Cloud, and they group about him and the + Sun Man.)_ + + {Sun Man} + Call me White Man. Though in truth we + follow the sun. All our lives have we followed + the sunset sun, as our fathers followed it before + us. + + {Red Cloud} + And you slay us with the thunder in your hand. + You slay us because we slew your brothers. + + {Sun Man} + _(Nodding to Red Cloud and addressing + his own followers)_ + You see, it was no mistake. He confesses it. + Other white men have they slain. + + {Red Cloud} + There will come a day when men will not slay + men and when all men will be brothers. And in + that day all men will plant acorns. + + {Sun Man} + You speak well, brother. + + {Red Cloud} + Ever was I for peace, but in war I did not command. + Ever I sought the secrets of the growing + things, the times and seasons for planting. Ever + I planted acorns, making two black oak trees + grow where one grew before. And now all is + ended. Oh my black oak acorns! My black + oak acorns! Who will plant them now? + + {Sun Man} + Be of good cheer. We, too, are planters. + Rich is your land here. Not from poor soil can + such trees sprout heavenward. We will plant + many seeds and grow mighty harvests. + + {Red Cloud} + I planted the short acorns in the valley. I + planted the long acorns in the valley. I made + food for life. + + {Sun Man} + You planted well, brother, but not well enough. + It is for that reason that you pass. Your fat + valley grows food but for a handful of men. We + shall plant your fat valley and grow food for ten + thousand men. + + {Red Cloud} + Ever I counseled peace and planting. + + {Sun Man} + Some day all men will counsel peace. No + man will slay his fellow. All men will plant. + + {Red Cloud} + But before that day you will slay, as you have + this day slain us? + + {Sun Man} + You killed our brothers first. Blood-debts must + be paid. It is man's way upon the earth. But + more, O brother! We follow the sunset sun, and + the way before us is red with war. The way + behind us is white with peace. Ever, before + us, we make room for life. Ever we slay the + squalling crawling things of the wild. Ever we + clear the land and destroy the weeds that block + the way of life for the seeds we plant. We are + many, and many are our brothers that come after + along the way of peace we blaze. Where you + make two black oaks grow in the place of one, + we make an hundred. And where we make one + grow, our brothers who come after make an + hundred hundred. + + {Red Cloud} + Truly are you the Sun Man. We knew about + you of old time. Our old men knew and sang of + you: + + White and shining was the Sun Man, + Blue his eyes were as the sky-blue, + Bright his hair was as dry grass is, + Warm his eyes were as the sun is, + Fruit and flower were in his glances, + All he looked on grew and sprouted, + Where his glance fell grasses seeded, + Where his feet fell sprang upstarting + Buckeye woods and hazel thickets, + Berry bushes, manzanita, + Till his pathway was a garden, + Flowing after like a river + Laughing into bud and blossom. + + + SONG OF THE PIONEERS + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers follow on the trail we blaze. + Where howled the wolf and ached the naked plain + Spring bounteous harvests at our brothers' hands; + In place of war's alarums, peaceful days; + Above the warrior's grave the golden grain + Turns deserts grim and stark to laughing lands. + + {Sun Man} + We cleared New England's flinty slopes and plowed + Her rocky fields to fairness in the sun, + But fared we westward always for we sought + A land of golden richness and we knew + The land was waiting on the sunset trail. + Where we found forest we left fertile fields, + We bridled rivers wild to grind our corn, + The deer-paths turned to roadways at our heels, + Our axes felled the trees that bridged the streams, + And fenced the meadow pastures for our kine. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers follow on the trail we blaze; + Where howled the wolf and ached the naked plain + Spring bounteous harvests at our brothers' hands; + In place of war's alarums, peaceful days; + Above the warrior's grave the golden grain + Turns deserts grim and stark to laughing lands. + + {Sun Man} + Beyond the Mississippi still we fared, + And rested weary by the River Platte + Until the young grass velveted the Plains, + Then yoked again our oxen to the trail + That ever led us west to farthest west. + Our women toiled beside us, and our young, + And helped to break the soil and plant the corn, + And fought beside us in the battle front + To fight of arrow, whine of bullet, when + We chained our circled wagons wheel to wheel. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers follow on the trail we blaze; + Where howled the wolf and ached the naked plain + Spring bounteous harvests at our brothers hands; + In place of war's alarums, peaceful days; + Above the warrior's grave the golden grain + Turns deserts grim and stark to laughing lands. + + {Sun Man} + The rivers sank beneath the desert sand, + The tall pines dwarfed to sage-brush, and the grass + Grew sparse and bitter in the alkali, + But fared we always toward the setting sun. + Our oxen famished till the last one died + And our great wagons rested in the snow. + We climbed the high Sierras and looked down + From winter bleak upon the land we sought, + A sunny land, a rich and fruitful land, + The warm and golden California land. + + {Sun Men} + Our brothers follow on the trail we blaze; + Where howled the wolf and ached the naked plain + Spring bounteous harvests at our brothers' hands; + In place of war's alarums, peaceful days; + Above the warrior's grave the golden grain + Turns deserts grim and stark to laughing lands. + + _(The hillside begins to darken.)_ + + {Red Cloud} + _(Faintly.)_ + + The darkness is upon me. You are acorn- + planters. You are my brothers. The darkness + is upon me and I pass. + + {Sun Men} + _(As total darkness descends.)_ + Our brothers follow on the trail we blaze; + Where howled the wolf and ached the naked plain + Spring bounteous harvests at our brothers' hands; + In place of war's alarums, peaceful days; + Above the warrior's grave the golden grain + Turns deserts grim and stark to laughing lands. + + + + +EPILOGUE + + {Red Cloud} + Good tidings! Good tidings + To the sons of men! + Good tidings! Good tidings! + War is dead! + + _(Light begins to suffuse the hillside, revealing + Red Cloud far up the hillside in a + commanding position on an out-jut of + rock.)_ + Lo, the New Day dawns, + The day of brotherhood, + The day when all men + Shall be kind to all men, + And all men shall be sowers of life. + + _(From every side a burst of voices.)_ + Hail to Red Cloud! + The Acorn-Planter! + The Life-Maker! + Hail! All hail! + The New Day dawns, + The day of brotherhood, + The day of man. + + _(A band of Warriors appears on hillside.)_ + Warriors + Hail, Red Cloud! + Mightier than all fighting men! + The slayer of War! + We are not sad. + Our eyes were blinded. + We did not know one acorn planted + Was mightier than an hundred fighting men. + We are not sad. + Our red work was when + The world was young and wild. + The world has grown wise. + No man slays his brother. + Our work is done. + In the light of the new day are we glad. + + _(A band of Pioneers and Sea Explorers + appears.)_ + + Pioneers and Explorers + Hail, Red Cloud! + The first planter! + The Acorn-Planter! + We sang that War would die, + The anarch of our wild and wayward past. + We sang our brothers would come after, + Turning desert into garden, + Sowing friendship, and not hatred, + Planting seeds instead of dead men, + Growing men to manhood in the sun. + + _(A band of Husbandmen appear, bearing + fruit and sheaves of grain and corn.)_ + + {Husbandmen} + Hail, Red Cloud! + The first planter! + The Acorn-Planter! + The harvests no more are red, but golden, + We are thy children. + We plant for increase, + Increase of wheat and corn, + Of fruit and flower, + Of sheep and kine, + Of love and lovers; + Rich are our harvests + And many are our lovers. + + {Red Cloud} + Death is a stench in the nostrils, + Life is beauty and joy. + The planters are ever brothers. + Never are the warriors brothers; + Their ways are set apart, + Their hands raised each against each. + The planters' ways are the one way. + Ever they plant for life, + For life more abundant, + For beauty of head and hand, + For the voices of children playing, + And the laughter of maids in the twilight + And the lover's song in the gloom. + + {All Voices} + Hail, Red Cloud! + The first planter! + The Acorn-Planter! + The maker of life! + Hail! All hail! + The New Day dawns, + The day of brotherhood, + The day of man! + + + THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Acorn-Planter, by Jack London + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ACORN-PLANTER *** + +***** This file should be named 22104.txt or 22104.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/1/0/22104/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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