Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 145 



The people criticized him bitterly for his infidelity, but he often went 

 to it to see if there were any more good presents. 



For some time this monster was on the ground, when it began 

 gradually to sink. From time to time, people would take gifts to it 

 for its mercy. Others made presents to him, because, in their dreams, 

 he had demanded of them. 



This monster disappeared all at once, and it was thought that it 

 went back to the river, leaving no trail behind. 



The monster was dark, with head prominent, large eyes, body long, 

 short legs, hoofs like those of a cow, short horns, nose and mouth like 

 a cow's and a long tail. When taken out of the river the body was all 

 drawn up. The appearance of the animal when petrified was like that 

 of a cow lying on the ground. 



Beaver- Woman was the first to see the monster swimming up the 

 river, then directed her companion. She was at times partly paralyzed, 

 but is still living. This monster when seen by the women, stretched its 

 entire body across the river, then drew together in the middle of the 

 channel. — D, 



Told by .Adopted. 



76. — The Man who became a Water Monster.' 



Young men started on a journey. As they went they found buffalo 

 tracks and followed these. They followed the trail during the day and 

 at night they camped. At last they rejoiced to see that the tracks were 

 becoming fresh, and walked faster. Day after day they followed. 

 Then there was a mountain before them. At the bottom was a cave. 

 The tracks of the buflfalo led straight toward this. The young men 

 followed the tracks and at last reached the cave into which the buflfalo 

 tracks led. 'Weil, let us follow it, for we want to find the place 

 where the buffalo live,'' said one of them. They agreed, and entered. 

 They went one behind the other. Far in the hole they came to running 

 water : it was clear and good and they all drank of it. Then they started 

 on again. The buflfalo tracks were in the mud but gradually became 

 dry again. Then the men saw^ a faint light before them, just as it is at 

 dawn. "It looks as if the cave had an opening at each end," said the 

 leader. Then they found that it was indeed a passage through the 

 mountain. When they emerged, they looked around and saw herds of 

 buflfalo scattered in every direction, standing in the prairie and along 

 the streams and by the rivers, raising the dust as they went down to the 

 river, and coming out of the water. 'Well, we have indeed found the 



' Text, informant A. 



