I-APLESCHE] Nl'-KI non-k'qn eite 173 



550. Then with heads bent thitherward 



551. They set forth with quickened footsteps 



552. To the red boulder that sitteth firmly upon the earth. 



553. Around it they gathered, close to it they stood and spake rev- 



erently, 



554. Saying: O, grandfather. 



555. O, grandfather, they said to him, 



556. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 



557. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



558. The red boulder spake, saying: You say the little ones have 



nothing of which to make their bodies. 



559. I am a person of whom the little ones may well make their bodies. 



560. I am difficult to be overcome by death. 



561. Wlicn the little ones make of me their bodies, 



562. They also shall always be difficult to overcome by death. 



563. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



564. He spake again, saying: Even the malevolent gods in their 



destructive course 



565. Pass by me in divergent lines, leaving me unmolested. 



566. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



567. The malevolent gods shall pass by, leaving them unmolested. 



568. Vei'ily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



569. He continued: Even the malevolent gods 



570. Stumble and fall when they happen to strike against me. 



571. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



572. Even the malevolent gods 



573. Shall stumble and fall when they happen to strike against the 



little ones. 



574. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



575. He said: Even the malevolent gods 



576. Fear to set teeth upon me in anger. 



577. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



578. Even the malevolent gods 



579. Shall fear to set teeth upon the little ones in anger. 



580. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



581. He continued: Even the malevolent gods 



582. Are stricken with pain when they dare to set teeth upon me. 



583. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



584. Even the malevolent gods 



585. Shall draw in their breath as when stricken with pain when they 



dare to set teeth upon the little ones. 



586. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



587. He said: Even the malevolent gods 



588. Break their teeth when they set them upon me in anger. 



