loo Field Columbian Museum — Anthropologv, Vol. V. 



would not be wise for me to consent to such foolishness. What would 

 be the use ? I could never be at home with you. for I must travel night 

 and day." 'So must I," replied Nih'a°Qa°; '*I travel night and day, too, 

 and travel with as much speed as \ou do." 



The whirlwind laughingly said to him, "If that is so, I shall be glad 

 to have you show me how you travel." The man stepped to one side, 

 sa3'ing, "Very well, I shall show you. He then started forth, running 

 with all his might and at the same time he picked up dust, leaves and 

 grass and scattered them, as he whirled about. After showing his 

 skill, he asked, *'Now do you see that I can travel as you do?" Whirl- 

 wind said, 'Yes, you do just a little, and now if you will step one side 

 and watch me. I shall show jou my speed." The wind, who had in- 

 creased in her force and velocity each time she had met Nih'a'^^a", flew 

 past him, and every time she did so she tipped back the top of his head. 

 In doing this, she left a mark at the tip of his head. When she had 

 passed him, she raised dust and remnants of dead vegetation. 



Nih'a'^^a" stood for a moment watching her as she swept along, and 

 then turned to journey onward to the steep precipice where he met 

 Whirlwind again. Now that she had gained much strength, she tossed 

 the branches and raised clouds of dust, thus making a clamor as she 

 blew. The man, having seen her great power, yearned strongly for a 

 marriage. He thought of this as being his only chance, so he stopped 

 and primmed up, so as to appear respectable in her presence. Nearer 

 and nearer she came. The man shouted, "Stop for a few minutes, I 

 have something to tell you. 



Whirlwind ceased, and Nih*a°(;a° stepped forward, saying : "Oh, I 

 do wish you would consent to marry me ; I should be ever so happy to 

 have you for my companion." She in response, chuckled a little and 

 said: "Display your power and speed in traveling once more.'" At 

 this Nih'a^ga" started off instantly, whirled about and kicked up a small 

 cloud of dust. Having gone a short distance from' her he turned and 

 went through the same performance. On reaching her he asked, "What 

 do you think of that?" She answered: "That is a little better than 

 your last display, but as yet you have not equaled my sjieed: now I 

 want to show you my power." The whirlwind with all her force blew 

 past her admirer, knocking him down unconscious for a few minutes. 



After having viewed his surroundings he brushed his clothes and 

 wiped the dust off from his face. His hair was parted at one side in- 

 stead of in the center. 



Having found it useless to gain the wind's affection, he returned 

 home. 



