MATTHEWS. ] MYTH: THE FLIGHT OF THE PROPHET. 399 
with large rocks and fallen trees; it would take you much time and 
hard labor to get over these if I did not help you; but I will do some- 
thing to make your way easy.” Ashe said this he blew a strong breath, 
and instantly a great white rainbow spanned the cation. The Navajo 
tried to step on this in order to cross, but it was so soft that his feet 
went through; he could not step on it. Qastceélei stood beside him and 
laughed at his fruitless attempts to get on the rainbow. After he had 
enjoyed this sport sufficiently the ye (Anglicized, gay or yay) blew 
another strong breath, when at once the rainbow became as hard as 
ice and they both crossed it with ease. When they reached the opposite 
wall of the cation Qastcvélei pointed to a very small hole in the cliff and 
said, ‘*This is the door of my lodge; enter!” By this time the shouts of 
the Ute sounded very loud in the ears of the terrified fugitive and it 
seemed to him that his pursuers must have reached the edge of the 
opposite cliff, where they would not be long before they would see him ; 
still, hard as he tried to enter the cave, he could not succeed ; the hole 
was not big enough for him to put his head in. The Yaybichy roared 
with laughter and slapped his hands together as he witnessed the ab- 
ject fear and the fruitless efforts of the Navajo. When he had laughed 
enough he blew on the little hole and it spread instantly into a large 
orifice, through which they both entered with ease. They passed through 
three rooms and stopped in the fourth. Here Qastcéélgi took the bags 
from the back of the Navajo, opened them, and drew from them some 
beautifully garnished clothing—a pair of moccasins, a pair of long- 
fringed leggings, and a shirt. He arrayed himself in these and went out, 
leaving the Navajo in the cave. As soon as his rescuer was gone the 
fugitive heard loud noises without and the sound of many angry voices, 
which continued for a long, long time. At last they died away and were 
heard nomore. The Ute had tracked him to the edge of the cliff where 
he got on the tree; but there they lost his trail and searched all the 
neighborhood to see if they could regain it; hence the noises. When 
all was silent Qastcéélgi returned and said, “ Your enemies have departed ; 
you can leave in safety.” So, taking a tanned elk skin to cover his back 
and a pair of new moccasins to protect his feet, the Navajo set out 
from the cave. 
35. It was nightfall when he emerged. He turned his face in the di- 
rection of his home and walked rapidly allthe night. As day dawned he 
began to feel hopeful; but, ere the sun rose, distant sounds, which grew 
louder and louder, reached his ear. He knew them to be the voices of 
his pursuers and again he became sorely afraid. He hurried on and 
came near the foot of a high isolated pinnacle of rock, whose top ap- 
peared to be inaccessible. Glancing to the summit, however, he beheld 
standing therea black mountainsheep. Thinking that this singular vision 
was sent to him as a sign from the yays (gods) and boded well for him, 
he came to the base of the rock, when the sheep addressed him, saying: 
“My grandson, come around to the other side of the rock and you will 
