fkachtbnberg] 



ALSEA TEXTS AND MYTHS 37 



things were being enacted. And now (one messenger) came to 

 where he was bound for. Everything was being enacted; people 

 were playing shinny, some were shooting at the target, some were 

 playing the guessing game, many were dancing. Then (the messen- 

 ger) kept on saying, '.'As a messenger I came here. Mo'luptsinl'sla 

 is inviting all the people. People are to assemble from every- 

 where. For that reason I have come here." (And then) on his 

 part the other (messenger) came to where he was going. (Again) 

 from everywhere sounded the noise of the people. Many, indeed, 

 were the people. They were shooting at the target; they were 

 playing shinny. (Still) another man, on his part, came to a 

 village. Everything was being enacted (there): Some were spin- 

 ning tops; some were playing with strings; others were spearing; 

 some were walking on stilts; many were making poles; some were 

 fixing chisels. Then he kept on saying: "I have come here as a mes- 

 senger. I am Coyote's messenger. He desires that all people should 

 assemble from everyvvhere. I am Coyote's messenger. You will 

 take along all your various playing utensils. For that reason I have 

 come here." (Similar messages were then delivered at five other vil- 

 lages. Everywhere) everything was being enacted. (Then the last 

 messenger delivered his message thus) : "You will keep good track (of 

 the days, for) on the fifth day the counting sticks will finally be made 

 (ready). You will carefully watch (the days go by). After ten 

 counting sticks are gone then you shall come there." (In each village) 

 all sorts of games were being played. (The messengers) did not 

 almost go back. (Everywhere) all sorts of (preparations) were being 

 made. 



