22 ZUNI FETICHES. 



He espied the deep tracks of the elk and fleetly followed him. Passing 

 swift and strong was he, thongh weak from hunger, and ere long he 

 came in sight of the great Elk. Tlie sight gladdened and strengthened 

 him ; but alas ! the Elk kept his distance as he turned again toward 

 the liiding-place of his brother animals. On and on the Sha'-la-k'o fol- 

 lowed him, until he came to the edge of a great cailon, and peering over 

 the brink discovered the hiding-place of all the game animals of the 

 world. 



"Aha! so here you all are," said he. "I'll hasten back to my father, 

 P4-u-ti-wa,* who hungers for flesh, alas ! and grows weak." And like 

 the wind the Sha' lak'o returned to Ko-thlu-el-loune. Entering, he in- 

 formed the Ka'-ka, and word was sent out by the swift Sa-la-mo-pi-at 

 to all the We-ma-aha-i for counsel and assistance, for the Wema-a-ha-i 

 were now^ the Fathers of men and the Ka'-ka. The Mountain Lion, 

 the Coyote, the Wild Cat, the Wolf, the Eagle, the Falcon, the Ground 

 Owl, and the Mole were summoned, all hungry and lean, as were the 

 Ka'-ka and the children of men, from want of the flesh of the game 

 animals. Nevertheless, they were anxious for the hunt and moved them- 

 selves quickly among one another in their anxiety. Then the passing 

 swift runners, the Sa-la-mopia, of all colors, the yellow, the blue, the 

 red, the white, the many colored, and the black, were summoned to 

 accompany the We-ma-ii-ha-i to the canon-valley of the Snail People. 

 Well they knew^ that passing wonderful were the Snail People, and that 

 no easy matter would it be to overcome their medicine and their magic. 

 But they luistened forth until they came near to the canon. Then the 

 SLii'-la-k'o,J who guided them, gave directions that they should make 

 themselves ready for the hunt. 



When all were prepared, he opened by his sacred power the magic 

 corral on the northern side, and forth rushed a great buck Deer. 



" Long Tail, the corral has been opened for thee. Forth comes thy 

 game, seize him ! " With great leaps the Mountain Lion overtook and 

 threw the Deer to the ground, and fastened his teeth in his throat. 



The corral was opened on the western side. Forth rushed a Mountain 

 Sheep. 



" Coyote, the corral has been opened for thee. Forth comes thy game, 

 seize him!" The Coyote dashed swiftly forward. The Mountain Sheep 

 dodged him and ran off toward the west. The Coyote crazily ran about 



* The chief god of the Ka'-kil, now represented by masks, and the richest costum- 

 ing known to the Zuuis, which are worn during the winter ceremonials of the tribe. 



tThe Sa-la-mo-pi-a are monsters with round heads, long snouts, huge feathered 

 necks, and human bodies. Thev arc supposed to live beneath the waters, to come 

 forth or enter snout foremost. They also play an important part in the Ka'-kii or 

 sacred dances of winter. 



t Monster human bird forms, the warrior chiefs of Pa-u-ti-\va, the rej)reBentative8 

 of which visit Zuni, from their supposed western homes in certain springs, each New 

 Year. They are n)ore than twelve feet liigh, and are carried swiftly about by per- 

 sons couccaled under their dresses. 



