Marionettes, masks and shadows — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Marionettes, masks and shadows
John Stuart Mill · en
3. Eagle swoops across and down upon rock; birds leave.
4. Wild cat moves slightly, winks eye, raises tail, arches back ready
for spring as
5. Scandawatti peeps from rock, then disappears, then Indian lad
appears, with bow and arrow and shoots at wild cat, hits bear.
[Illustration:
_Scenes from the human shadow play, "The Indian and the Oki"_
]
6. Bear bounds forward, pulls out arrow from shoulder with teeth, eyes
flash, rushes forward as lad attempts to climb rock, misses hold at top,
slips, almost falls backward, bear ready to pounce.
7. Achilles appears at right side, shoots quickly, bear rolls over,
Scandawatti leaps to feet, looks in surprise from bear to Achilles,
comes forward, examines gun.
8. Chief enters from right slowly, approaches boys, lad tells him of
escape.
9. French trapper enters from left, approaches, lays hand on Achilles,
hears story. Scandawatti leads way to Chief Iliol. Trapper gives pistols
to both boys who admire them. Chief nods satisfaction. Both trapper and
chief leave together to right.
10. Boys examine, admire, and handle pistols.
11. Red Deer sneaks from behind rock and looks jealously at weapons,
moves hands and body as if eager to possess prize, disappears.
12. Curtain closes as lads pledge friendship and prepare to leave.
The incidents chosen for the second act were:
1. Squaw stirs stew in the kettle that hangs over the fire.
2. Trapper and Chief Iliol enter and sit down. Squaw brings the pipe of
peace. They smoke.
3. An indian enters and dances to the tomtoms. The trapper, chief, and
dancer leave.
4. Scandawatti enters with a basket full of fish and Achilles with a
game bag full of rabbits and ducks. They give these to the squaw.
5. Scandawatti and Achilles sit on the ground and play with their
pistols.
6. Red Deer peers from behind bushes.
7. Squaw gives each boy a bowl of the stew. They eat greedily.
8. Boys undo bundle in which there are knives and beads. Achilles holds
up the Oki or false face.
9. Scandawatti, alarmed, jumps up and runs. Achilles runs after him,
carrying the Oki.
10. Red Deer enters, stealthily, and reaches for the pistols.
11. Achilles lifts up the Oki from behind a rock. Red Deer drops the
pistols and flees.
12. Scandawatti and Achilles enter laughing, pick up weapons, wrap
themselves in blankets, and lie down to sleep.
For the third act they chose the following:
1. A turkey runs across the stage.
2. Red Deer follows with Scandawatti. He binds him to a tree, then runs
after the turkey.
3. Red Deer returns with dead turkey. Builds a fire and places the
turkey over it.
4. Red Deer dances about, mocking Scandawatti.
5. Achilles peeks from behind rock. Motions to Scandawatti to have
courage. Then sticks up the Oki and waves it about in the air.
6. Red Deer flies in terror.
7. Achilles frees Scandawatti.
8. They devour the turkey.
9. The trapper and Indian chief appear and all rejoice.