Page:The Annals of the Cakchiquels.djvu/113

Tzutuhils. All the seven nations looked about and then descended to the water. Those who were there then said to the children of the Ahtziquinahay: "We have scarcely made the circuit of this lake of ours, this sea, oh my brother. But let one-half of the lake be yours, and one-half of the fruits, of the wild geese, of the crabs, of the fish." Thus he spoke, and the others took counsel: "It is well my brother, that the half of the lake be ours, and a half of thy fruits, of thy wild geese, of thy crabs, of thy fish, a half of thy acorns, and a half of thy bananas be ours, and of all living things you kill in or below the waters." Thus did the Ahtziquinahay reply to them. Then they separated and went away, but soon returned, desiring to obtain wives, for none of them were married, owing to the absence of women; neither their mothers nor sisters having accompanied them. They said: "Where speaks my girl? Whom shall I take as wife? Truly, let us go forth and seek where there is said to be a war for hearts." They put on their armor, and were really terrible when they went forth in search of women. The Tzutuhils were frightened, and to them the Cakchiquels said: "Whom shall I take for my woman? Who has declared war against my heart?" So they spoke to the Tzutuhil people, to the women of Tzununa. Thereupon the Ahtziquinahay spoke to them: "My lord, my brother, my elder, here indeed is thy maiden. You have divided with us the waters; half of the lake is thine, half is ours." Thus he spoke, and his warriors were afflicted at his words, when the Ahtziquinahay spoke thus in conclusion. Then Gagavitz, our ancestor, said: "Who of you comes to take wives? It were well that you remain with the organs of women. But I hear thy words, oh my brother; their victory is by the organs of their women. Remaining, I shall do this." Thus he spoke to the Ahtziquinahays. In this manner, say our elders, the lake was divided, and in this manner our brother and elder remained with the Tzutuhils. None other of ours remained. Our first fathers and ancestors, Gagavitz and Zactecauh, passed on, and went back to the