OF LOS ANGELES CO., CALIFORNIA. 25 



wife again aided him and he came out triumphant. They 

 then wanted to test his hunting powers, and four of them 

 were dispatched to drive the deer into his range. He 

 soon heard loud cries of "Brother-in-law, there go the 

 deer," but no deer could he see. The spirits ridiculed 

 his hunting. Another trial was made with the same re- 

 sult. At last his wife told him he would be given a third 

 trial and that he must kill this time. "How can I kill 

 deer if there be none," he said. "Did you not perceive 

 black beetles?" said his wife. "Yes." "Well, those are 

 deer ; things are different here to what they are on earth, 

 kill them." They went on their third hunt, and hearing 

 the cry of "There they go," he saw black beetles coming 

 on the sands. He drew his bow, shot at, and killed one ; 

 it was converted immediately into a fine, fat buck ; this 

 encouraged him and he slew right and left, until the 

 spirits told him to desist. The game was carried home, 

 he saw the deer lifted from the ground and carried in 

 the air, though he could not see the carriers, although 

 he could perceive their shadows. Great joy was mani- 

 fested by all at his success. "Sister," said the other 

 spirits to his wife, "no one has ever been permitted to 

 return to earth, as thou kuowest, but as our brother-in- 

 law is so good and he cannot participate in our company 

 of those joys and pleasures we partake, and on account of 

 the gross materials of which he is formed, out of compas- 

 sion to him, return again to earth." And addressing him 

 they said, "Brother-in-law, return again to the earth with 

 thy wife, but for three days thou art not permitted to co- 

 habit with her, after that time thou art free, but a non- 

 compliance will be attended with disappointment." They 

 left the spirit realms and travelled on earth towards their 

 home, the wife still invisible. At night he built a large 

 fire and lay down ; on awakening before daylight he saw 



ESSEX INST. BULLETIN, VOL. XVII. 4 



