HADIN] THE MEDICINE DANCE 353 



same as my own." "But, Grandson, how can your uncles' lives be 

 the same as yours ? It is not so. The (world) is as our father created 

 it. Not different can it be made." "The old woman must be re- 

 lated to them and therefore does not like it that I killed (the evil 

 spirits)." "No, Grandson, our father has ordained thay my body 

 (the earth) should fall in two. Lest they should cause a shortage in 

 food (by overpopulation) he ordained that there should be death, 

 otherwise they would crowd each other too much on earth. So, there- 

 fore, he arranged that they have a place to die." 



Hare didn't like it. "Surely, Grandmother does not like it be- 

 cause she was related to them. She is taking their (evil spirits) part." 

 Thus he thought. "No, Grandson, that is not so. Your heart, at 

 present, feels sore. Your uncles and aunts will obtain enough of life; 

 they will live to a normal old age," she told him. "Now, Grandson, 

 get up. Yoiu" uncles and airnts will follow you. Try with all your 

 strength (to do what I am going to tell you). You are a man, so do 

 not look back." 



Around (the earth) they started. "Not to look back," grand- 

 mother said. "I wonder why she said it." Thus he thought. So 

 he looked back just the least bit to his left. The place he had started 

 from caved in instantaneously. "O my! O my! A man I thought 

 you were, a person of prominence, and I had encouraged you very 

 much. But now. Grandson, decay, death can, in no way, be taken 

 back." That is what she meant, it is said. 



Around (the earth) they went and to the edge of the fire (that 

 encircles the earth) they traveled, it is said. They united it (the 

 fire) so that they (the rnicles and aimts) would attain old age, so she 

 said. 



"To look back, she forbade me. But I have already made up my 

 mind (as to the immortality of my uncles and aunts). When they 

 become like me, then only will I be happy. Such is my thought." 

 Then he went out and there, where the sun rises, to the east, he went 

 and entered the house. Opposite the occupants he sat himself. 

 What he had come for (the occupants) knew, it is said, " Well, Hare, 

 there is notliing I can say to you. If the one ahead has anything he 

 wishes to say to you, he will undoubtedly do so." Then he (Hare) 

 greeted him and went out. 



Toward the west he traveled. Even then not any (other) thought 

 he had. " I can do it," he thought on the way. When he arrived at 

 the house he entered and sat himself opposite the (occupant) . ' ' Hare , 

 what you have come for, I know, I believe, but I will not teU you 

 anything. The one ahead, he it is that can teU you, he it is." So he 

 (Hare) saluted liim and went out. 



Toward the house of the fourth one, in the south, he went and en- 

 tered, and sat himself opposite (the occupant). "Hare, what you 



