216 THE OSAGE TRIBE (f.ih. anx. 36 



137. Of some strange animals, 



138. Whose paths led hither and thither, in every direction. 



139. Verily, they appear to be strange animals. 



140. The foam of the water passed by them to the ground indicated 



their recent presence at this place. 



141. Verily, they must be animals of formidable size. 



142. It has been said, in this house, 



143. The Ho°'-ga spake to one another, saying: O, younger brothers, 



144. Let the people of the Tsi'-zhu and those of the Wa-zha'-zhe 



145. Come together, they said to one another. 



146. The people of the Tsi'-zhu and of the Wa-zha'-zhe came together 



forthwith. 



147. Then the Ho°'-ga spake to them, saying: O, Tsi'-zhu and 



Wa-zha'-zhe, 



148. Our younger brother, 



149. Who has been upon a journey, 



150. Tells us he has been to a sixth valley, 



151. That he has been as far as the sixth valley, 



152. Where he saw footprints 



153. Of some strange animals, 



154. Whose paths led hither and thither, in every direction. 



155. Even the foam of their urine still lay u])on the ground and indi- 



cated their recent presence at that place. 



156. Verily, they must be animals of formidable size. 



157. It has been said, in this house, 



158. The people arose without making a reply and departed in dis- 



order and as though in swarms. 



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



160. The return of the younger brother, 



161. Who had again gone forth upon his errand, 



162. Was known to the elder brothers, who said: We know he is 



returnmg though he is yet out of range of ordinary vision. 



163. Then as he was nearing home 



164. They said to one another: We know our younger brother is 



returning. 



165. Then as he appeared before them he said to them: O, elder 



brothers, 



166. I have been to a seventh valley, 



167. I have been as far as the seventh valley, and 



168. There I saw the signs of some strange animals. 



169. The grasses, that had been trampled by tlieir feet, lay pomting 



where their trail led, 



170. Their dung that lay scattered upon the land. 



171. Verily, they appear to be animals of formidable size. 



