Ocr., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 197 



Can you not be obliging? We shall be happy the rest of our lives. 

 Say, brother-in-law, I am anxious; won't you?" said she. "No! Not. 

 1 told you yesterday that I would not forsake my brother, for I love him 

 dearly. Leave me alone," said he, pushing her away. This young man 

 wept bitterly and went out expressing sorrow and sadness. This time 

 the wife ceased her temptations and decided to do something. 



The handsome young man went a little further on the hill and 

 stayed there all day, weeping because of the constant temptation. The 

 wife did not do much work, but began digging a hole under the young 

 man's bed. This hole was quite deep and partly covered at the top 

 with a little dirt and some brush. She made a beautiful bed over the 

 pit, so that he would not suspect the danger that there was below. 



The husband killed his game early in the day, and started back 

 early. The brother-in-law, seeing his brother coming in the distance, 

 w^ent down from the hill and went to the tipi, feeling somewhat en- 

 couraged, because his brother was returning. He showed many signs 

 on entering the tipi. "Well, brother-in-law, you have come home early 

 to-day," said the wife, as the young man walked to his bed. The bed 

 was fixed up elegantly and the young man sat down to brush his hair. 

 Suddenly he dropped below, out of sight. 



The wife got up and said, "I thought I could fix you some dayf 

 Take this, you saucy and foolish creature !" said the wife, as she cov- 

 ered him with dirt. She then fixed the bed in proper manner, leaving 

 nothing to arouse suspicion. 



The husband returned, bringing a good supply of fresh beef. The 

 W'ife went out to bring in the meat, without saying a word, but in good 

 .spirits. Upon entering the tipi, the husband asked her if his brother 

 was sleeping. "No, he has not yet returned," said the wife. "Where 

 did he go?" said he. "He started off toward the woods, walking very 

 fast. I tried to question him, but he would not stop," said she. "Did 

 he say when he would be back?" said the husband, trembling. "Don't 

 Vt'orry about your brother, for he will be back some time," said she, rub- 

 bing her feet on the ground. Her husband was eating, but constantly 

 he would cease to listen, and often he would give a sigh. "Oh ! that 

 stick in the fire makes the queerest noise," said she, poking at the fire. 

 Underneath the bed there was a queer noise, which sounded like a 

 human cry. "Say, sister ! Wife !" said the husband. "Oh, it is nothing, 

 it is that piece of sinew in the fire," said she, still poking the fire, into 

 which she had just thrown a piece of sinew. The husband still heard 

 a strange noise, but she told him it was the sticks making that strange 

 music. Finally they both retired, but in different spirits. 



