32 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. VIII. 



to him that they were now going to try him very hard, but that he 

 should not be afraid to touch the snakes; and she gave him many 

 instructions. 



Among those present in the kiva had also been some pretty 

 maidens who had also put on snake costumes and had turned into 

 serpents. One of them had been particularly handsome. The chief 

 had not turned into a snake, and was sitting near the fireplace. He 

 now turned to the young man and said to him: "You go now and 

 select and take one of these snakes." The snakes seemed to be very 

 angry and the young man got frightened when they stared at him, 

 but Spider Woman whispered to him not to be a coward, nor to be 

 afraid. 



The prettiest maiden had turned into a large yellow rattle-snake 

 (Silca-tcua), and was especially angry. Spider Woman whispered 

 to the young man, that the one that acted so very angrily was the 

 pretty maiden and that he should try to take that one. He tried, 

 but the snake was very wild and fierce. "Be not afraid," Spider 

 Woman whispered, and handed him some medicine. This he secretly 

 chewed and spurted a small quantity of it on the fierce snake,, 

 whereupon it immediately became docile. He at once grabbed it, 

 held and stroked it four times upward, each time spurting a little 

 medicine on it, and thus freeing it from its anger. The chief was 

 astonished and said: "You are very something, thanks. Now, look 

 away again." He did so and when he turned back he saw that all 

 the snakes had assumed the forms of men and women again, includ- 

 ing the maiden that he had captured. They now were all very good 

 to him, and talked to him in the kindest manner, because they now 

 considered him as initiated and as one of them. He was now wel- 

 come, and the chief invited him to eat. The mana whom the young 

 man had taken got from another room in the kiva some bread made 

 of fresh corn-meal, some peaches, melons, etc., and set this food before 

 the young man. Spider Woman whispered to the young man to 

 give her something to eat too, which he did secretly. She enjoyed 

 the food very much and was very happy. 



Now the chief asked the man why he came, etc. "I hunt 

 a Idlomat katcit (good* life) and was thinking about the water run- 

 ning this way, and so this way it runs. I have come also to get Hopi 

 food from here. I also heard that there lives a woman here some- 

 where, the Huriiing Wuhti, from whom I want beads." "What have 

 you for her?" they asked. "These bahos," he said. "All right, you 

 will get there. But now you sleep here." But Spider Woman wanted 

 to get back. He told them that he wanted to go out a little while. 



