264 THE OSAGE TRIBE [bth. ann. 38 



364. There, in that valley, I have seen upon the ground the signs of 



a man. 



365. The older brothers asked: What were those signs? 



366. Verily, at that time and place, 



367. The Sho'-ka replied: O, elder brothers, 



368. Verily, the footprints show him to be a man with cloven feet. 



369. The grasses he had trodden vipon were crushed by his weight. 



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



371. The elder brothers spake to the Sho'-ka, saying: O, younger 



brother, 



372. Our mysterious Wa-xo'-be 



373. Lacks the means necessary for the accomplishment of its pur- 



pose. 



374. Therefore we bid you go forth and make further search. 



375. Verily, at that time and place, 



376. The principal Sho'-ka 



377. Hastened forth to make further search. 



378. Verily, at that time and place, 



379. At the beginning of day, 



380. His figure was seen swinging from side to side as he sped over 



the prairie. 



381. Verily, at that time and place, 



382. In the evening of the same day, 



383. The elder brothers spake to one another, saying: Yonder comes 



our younger brother. 



384. His rapid strides indicate that he bears good tidings. 



385. Verily, at that time and place, 



386. They said to one another: Go, some of you, and speak to him. 



387. Verily, at that time and place, 



388. They spake to the Sho'-ka, saying: O, younger brother, 



389. How has it fared with you ? 



390. It has not been your wont to suffer such hardship. 



391. Verily, at that time and place, 



392. The Sho'-ka replied: O, elder brothers, 



393. I have been to a fourth valley, 



394. And there I saw the man whose footprints I saw in the third 



valley, O, elder brothers. 



395. Verily, at that time and place, 



396. The elder brothers asked: What is he like in appearance and 



disposition ? 



397. Verily, at that time and place, 



398. The Sho'-ka replied: O, elder brothers, 



399. The man is formidable in appearance, O, elder brothers. 



400. Verily, at that time and place, 



401. He continued: The man has weapons. 



