the house. Then she seized one goat, and ran away with it, and brought the goat belonging to the house to her cubs. Then she went out to look for the Spider. (As for) the Spider, he had been given a charm for popularity. Every animal she inquired of said,—"We have not seen the Spider." Even though (until) she became tired of traversing the forest, she did not see him. Then an internal sickness griped her, and she died in the forest. That was the beginning of (the time when) the Spider became popular. (In) every tale one mentions the Spider.[1]
4. How the Spider outwitted the Snake. (B. G.).
A Snake had a bull. The feast[2] was approaching. It was the eve. So he was going about with his bull and saying (said) (it is) for sale, but it will not be paid for with money; but a time must be fixed when payment shall be made, and he (Snake) will come and bite the man, (thus) he will pay (he will have paid). So he took it around (went around with it); of all (the people) not one took it. Then he went to the Spider's house, and the Spider said,—"How much is your bull?" Then he said,—"My bull I will not sell for money, but a time must be fixed when one is to pay, and I shall come and bite you." Then the Spider, the thief, said he agreed. He (Snake) said,—"Very well, he could eat the bull, but twelve days after the feast, (when the feast had gone by twelve days), he would come and bite him." Then the Spider said,—"Very well, let it be so." So he went away. When only one of the twelve days was left, the Spider told his wife to rough-grind some millet flour. Some tamarind (leaves?) were taken and put into this millet flour. When day broke, the twelve days were completed. So the Snake came. He said,—"Welcome, welcome." Thus spoke the Spider. Then he said to the wife,—"Bring some water that he may drink." He was about to have the bitter flour brought (lit. bring). She brought (it). Then the
