390 . ZUNI CREATION MYTHS. [eth.annIS 



the heavings of the under- world and by the waters and breaths of the 

 ages, they are the mouu tain-terraces of the Earth-mother, '•dividing- 

 country from country ! '' Yet many were the places behind and between 

 these — dark canyons, deep valleys, sunken plains — unharmed by tlie 

 fires, where they swerved or rolled higher — as, close to the track of a 

 forest-fire, green grow trees and grasses, and even flowers continue to 

 bloom. Therein, and in the land sheltered by the shield, tarried the 

 people, awakened, as from fearful dreams. Dry and more stable was 

 the world now, less fearsome its lone places; since, changed to rock 

 were so many monsters of prey (some shriveled to the size of insects; 

 made precious as amulets for the hunter and warrior, as told in other 

 talks of our ancient speech). 



•THE BEGINNING OF THE SEARCH FOR THE MIDDLE OF THE 

 WORLD, AND THE SECOND TARRYING OF MEN. 



But ever and anon the earth trembled anew in that time, and the 

 people troubled. 



" Thus, being, it is not well," said the Two. "Let us again seek 

 the Middle." So, they led their myriads far eastward and tarried them 

 atT6sak'ya Yala (Place of nude mountains). 



THE LEARNING OF WAR, AND THE THIRD TARRYING. 



Yet soon again the world rumbled, and again they led the way 

 into a country and place called Tamilian K'yaiyawan (Where tree 

 boles stand in the midst of the waters). There the people abode for 

 long, saying (poor people!) "This is the Middle!" Therefoi-e they 

 built homes. At times they met people who had gone liefore, thus 

 learning much of ways in war, for in the fierceness that had entered 

 their hearts with fear, they deemed it not well, neither liked they to 

 look upon strangers peacefully. And many strange things also were 

 learned and happened there, that are told in other speeches of the 

 ancient talk. 



Having fought and grown strong, lo ! when at last the earth groaned 

 and the conches sounded warning, and the Twain bade them forth, 

 forsooth! they murmured much, and many (foredoomed!), turned head- 

 strong and were left to perish miserably in their own houses as do 

 rats in falling trees, or flies in forbidden food ! 



THE MEETING OF THE PEOPLE OF DEW, AND THE FOURTH 



TARRYING. 



But the greater company went obediently forward, until at last they 

 neared Shipololon K'yaia (Steam mist in the midst of the waters). 

 Behold! they saw as they journeyed, the smoke of men's hearth-fires 

 and a great assemblage of houses scattered over the hills before them ! 

 And when they came closer they met dwellers in those places, nor 

 looked peacefully upon them — having erstwhile in their last standing- 



