228 THE OSAGE TRIBE [etr. ann. 38 



238. What said they? it has been said, in this house. 



239. The people spake to one anotlier, saying: O, younger brothers, 



240. We are a people who spare none of our foes, 



241. A people who are never absent from any important movement, 



242. And they spake to the one who had nia(h> of the Puma his body, 



243. Saying: O, younger lirother. 



244. Even as these words were spoken the Puma went forth. 



245. Then after a time the people said to one another: There are 



signs that our younger brother is returning, 



246. Stumbling, tripping again and again as he hastens, 



247. Running repeatedly as he hurries homeward. 



248. Go, some of you, and speak to him, 



249. And some of the brothers hastened to meet him and to speak to 



him. 



250. In response to their inquiries, the Puma spake, saying: O, eliier 



brothers, 



251. Yonder stands a man, O, elder brothers, 



252. Verily, a man whose appearance e.xcites fear, 



253. A man who is like us in form. 



254. Then the people spake, saying: O, younger brothers, 



255. Look you, I have said, we are a people who spare none of our 



foes, 



256. A people who are never absent from any important movement. 



257. Whoever this man may be, 



258. We shall send him to the abode of spirits. 



259. It matters not,^})ose little one he may be, 



260. We shall make him to lie low. 



261. In the direction of the man they hastened, 



262. They made one ceremonial pause, 



263. Then, at the fourth pause, ' 



264. The Puma spake, saying: There he stands, O, elder brothers. 



265. It is well, the people replied, 



266. We shall send him to the abode of spirits. 



267. Their index fingers 



268. They thrust into their mouths, 



269. To moisten them and to give them killing power. 



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



271. The man spake, saying: 



272. I am a Ho^'-ga (a sacred person), O, elder brothers, he stood 



saying. 



273. Then the Puma spake, saying: O, elder brothers, 



274. He speaks clearly our language. 



275. I am a Ho°'-ga, the stranger continued, who has come from the 



midst of the stars. 



