Page:Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society V.djvu/152

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Navaho Legends.

men; but now I shall make you of use to my kind in the days to come when men increase on the earth." To the elder he said: "You will ever speak to men and tell them what happens beyond their sight; you will warn them of the approach of enemies," and he changed it into a bird called Tsĭdĭltói148 (shooting or exploring bird). He addressed the younger, saying: "It will be your task to make things beautiful, to make the earth happy." And he changed it into a bird called Hosdi,149 which is sleepy in the daytime and comes out at night.

346. When he reached home with his trophies, which were the eyes150 of the first Bĭnáye Aháni he had killed, and told what he had done, Estsánatlehi took a piece of the lung of Téelgĕt (which he had previously brought home), put it in her mouth, and, dancing sang this song:—

Nayénĕzgani brings for me,
Of Téelget he brings for me,
Truly a lung he brings for me,
The people are restored.

To‘badzĭstsíni brings for me,
Of Tse‘nă′hale he brings for me,
Truly a wing he brings for me,
The people are restored.

Léyaneyani brings for me,
Of Tse‘tahotsĭltá‘li he brings for me,
Truly a side-lock he brings for me,
The people are restored.

Tsówenatlehi151 brings for me,
Of Bĭnáye Aháni he brings for me,
Truly an eye he brings for me,
The people are restored.276

347. When she had finished her rejoicings he asked, "Where shall I find Sasnalkáhi (Bear that Pursues)?" "He lives at Tse‘bahástsĭt (Rock that Frightens)," she replied; but again she plead with him, pictured to him the power of the enemy he sought, and begged him to venture no more.

348. Next morning he went off to Rock that Frightens and walked all around it, without meeting the bear or finding his trail. At length, looking up to the top of the rock, he saw the bear's head sticking out of a hole, and he climbed up. The bear's den was in the shape of a cross, and had four entrances. Nayénĕzgani looked into the east entrance, the south entrance, and the west entrance without getting sight of his enemy. As he approached the north entrance he saw the head of the watching bear again; but it was