Tales of the Mythical Period 103 



father is dead. I hope you secure him, for you have a good sign," said 

 Alokotan. So Kanag went on in a hurry. Not long after he arrived 

 at the place where the thunder was and it said, "Where are you going, 

 little boy?" "I am going to follow my father in Adasen." "Go and 

 stand on the high stone and see what your sign is." So he went. As 

 soon as he stood on the high stone the thunder rolled, but Kanag did 

 not move and the thunder was surprised." "Go at once; I think you 

 can get your father whom Gawlgawen inherits." So Kanag went. 

 Not long after he arrived at the place of the lightning, and he made him 

 stand on the high stone. As soon as he stood on it the lightning made a 

 big noise and flash, but he did not move. So the boy went at once, for 

 he had a good sign. 



Kanag struck his shield until it sounded like a thousand people, and 

 all the women who were dipping water at the spring of Gawlgawen were 

 surprised, for they saw only a little boy, who struck his shield, approach- 

 ing them, and it sounded like a thousand. As soon as he arrived at the 

 spring, "Good morning, women who are dipping water. Go and tell 

 Gawigawen of Adasen that he must prepare for I am going to fight with 

 him." So all the women ran to the town and told Gawlgawen that a 

 strange boy was at the spring. Gawigawen said to the women, "Go 

 and tell him that if it is true that he is brave he will come into the town 

 if he can." So one of the women went to tell him and he went. 



When he arrived at the bank which reached to the sky Kanag used 

 his power and he jumped like the flitting bird, and he entered the 

 town and went directly to the balaua and house of Gawigawen of Adasen. 

 Not long after he had arrived he saw that the roof of his house and balaua 

 was of hair and around his town were heads, and Kanag said, "This is 

 why my father did not return. It is true that Gawigawen is a brave 

 man, but I think I can kill him." 



As soon as Gawigawen saw Kanag in the yard of his house he said, 

 "How brave you are, little boy! Why did you come here?" "I came 

 to get my father, for you secured him when he came to get the oranges 

 which my mother wanted. If you do not wish to give my father to me 

 I will kill you." And Gawigawen laughed at him and said, "One of 

 my fingers will fight you. You will not go back to your town. You 

 will be like your father." Kanag said, "We shall see. Go and get your 

 arms and we will fight here in the yard of your house. Gawigawen 

 became angry and he went to get his headaxe, which was as big as half 

 of the sky, and his spear. As soon as he returned to the place where 

 Kanag was waiting he said, "Can you see my headaxe, little boy? If 

 I put this on you you cannot get it off. So you throw first so you can 

 show how brave you are." Kanag said to him, "No, you must be first, 



