MooNEY) kana'ti and selu 249 



one proposed to wuteh wlicii theii' pari'iits went out iiiid to follow 

 them. 



Acroi'ding-ly next moniinj;- the plan was carried out. Those who 

 followed tht> father saw hiui stop at a short distance from the cabin 

 and turn o\-ei- a large stone that appeared to be carelessly leaned 

 against another. On looking closely they saw an eutranci> to a large 

 cave, and in it were many ditierent kinds of animals and birds, such as 

 their father had sometimes brought in for UhkL Thcnnan standing at 

 the entrance called a deer, which was lying at some distance and back 

 of some other animals. It rose immediately as it heard the call and 

 came close up to him. He picked it up, closed the mouth of the cave, 

 and returned, not once seeming to suspect what his sons had done. 



When the old man was fairly out of sight, his sons, rejoicing how 

 they had outwitted him, left their hiding place and went to the cave, 

 saying they would show the old folks that they, too, could bring in 

 something. They moved the stone away, though it was very hea\'}' 

 and they were obliged to use all their united strength. When the cave 

 was opened, the animals, instead of waiting to be picked up, all made 

 a I'ush for the entrance, and leaping past the frightened and bewildered 

 boys, scattered in all directions and disappeared in the wilderness, 

 while the guilty offenders could do nothing but gaze in stupitied 

 amazement as they saw them escape. There were animals of all kinds, 

 large and small — bufli'alo, deer, elk, antelope, raccoons, and squirrels; 

 even catamounts and panthers, wolves and foxes, and many others, 

 all fleeing. together. At the same time birds of every kind were seen 

 emerging from the opening, all in the same wild confusion as the quad- 

 rupeds — turkeys, geese, swans, ducks, quails, eagles, hawks, and owls. 



Those who followed the mother saw her enter a small cabin, which 

 they had never seen before, and close the door. The culprits found a 

 small crack through which they could peer. They saw the woman 

 place a basket on the ground and standing over it shake herself vigor- 

 ously, jumping up and down, when lo and beholdl large ears of corn 

 began to fall into the basket. When it was well filled she took it up 

 and. placing it on her head, came out. fastened the door, and prepared 

 their breakfast as usual. When the meal had l)(>en finisiied in silence 

 the man spoke to his children, telling them thai he was aware of what 

 they had done: that now he nuist die and tliev would be ol)liged to 

 provide for themselves. H(^ made bows and ai'rows for them, then 

 sent them to hunt foi- tiii> animals which they had turnecl locse. 



Then the motiier told tli(>m that as they iiad found out her secret 

 she could do nothing more for them: that she would die, and they 

 must drag her tiody around over the grouml: that wherever her body 

 was dragged coi-n would come up. Of this tiiey were to make their 

 liread. She told them that they must always save some for seed and 

 plant every yeai-. 



