IN THE OLDEN TIME. 
243 
“‘We have no name/ replied they; ‘ we are only 
hunters with the blow-gun, and we catch birds with 
bird-lime. We are poor and have nothing, and we are 
tramping over the mountains great and small. Here in 
the East we see a great mountain, and its sweet odor is 
very pleasant. And it is so lofty that it overtops all the 
other mountains. So we have not been able, it is so 
high, to catch a single bird. So if it be true that you 
overturn mountains/ said Hunahpu and Xbalanque, 
‘ then you will aid us.’ 
“ ‘ It certainly is true/ said Cabracan. ‘ Have you seen 
this mountain of which you speak ? Where is it ? I 
will look at it, and I will topple it down. Where did 
you see it ? ’ 
“ ‘ There/ said they, ‘ it is, where the sun rises.’ 
“ ‘ Very well,’ said Cabracan, 4 let us go ; and it will 
be strange if we don’t get some birds between us. One 
will go on the right hand, the other on the left. We 
will take our blow-guns, and if there is a bird we ’ll shoot 
him.’ 
“ So they went on happily, shooting birds (and it should 
be said that when they shot, it was not with balls of clay, 
but only with a puff of breath did they knock down 
the birds), and Cabracan went on astonished. Then the 
youths made a fire and set about cooking the birds in the 
fire; and one bird they anointed with tizate , white earth 
they put on it. 6 This we will give him,’ said they , c when 
desire is strong upon him, smelling its savor. This our 
bird shall conquer him, for in conquering him he must 
fall to the ground ; and in the ground must he be buried 
(wise is the Creator !) before human beings are brought 
to light.’ So spoke the two youths, and to themselves 
