THE GIRL WHO MARRIED A STAR. 59 
the boy still there. They found him very thin, and suffering for food 
and water. He would not come down while the foetus was there. 
The men made a conditional offer—if he would deliver up to them 
his grandmother they would remove the foetus. The boy said he 
would. They removed the foetus. The boy started home at once. He 
told his grandmother what had happened and what he had done. 
Out of love for his life he had given her up to these men. 
The grandmother was happy on his return. She said she would 
grant his request. About two days after, she and the boy started out 
where the men were. They stopped at the entrance of the tipi until 
they heard a voice from within asking them to step in. The boy said, 
“Nawa, I have done what I agreed to do. Here is my grandmother.” 
“Ah ho! Ah hi!” they replied, “you were honest and have done as 
you agreed to do. That is the way for noble boys to do. As this is 
a bargain for your life we will do all we can for you to turn our 
power and skill over to you.” Now they began to teach the boy the 
ceremony of catching eagles and of hunting. “It was our desire to 
have your grandmother, and as you have been true to your agreement, 
we are glad.” All were satisfied. ‘The grandmother and son then 
went home. 
The next day the boy started out on the prairie for game. He 
met a camp of Snakes, mostly deadly Rattlesnakes, and there were all 
the other kinds of Snakes. They were glad to have him come. They 
invited him in. They gave him the best seat. He knew what danger 
there was to meet. So as he sat down he took out a smooth stone 
which he used for sharpening his knife, and placed it in his anus. The 
room was clean and there was a ridge around the fire for a pillow. 
Time and again he noticed a Snake disappear and attack him where 
he had defended himself. He knew it. They said: “He must be 
hungry. Give him something.” ‘They gave him a spleen. He took 
it and looked at it. He replied that he could not eat it raw; so he 
poked up the fire and threw the spleen in. It cracked and made the 
audience wild. The spleen was the teeth of all these Snakes. The 
boy knew the secret and could not be fooled so easily. 
The Snakes, resting on the square pillow-like structure, demanded 
of the boy that he relate some happenings or stories, to pass the night 
pleasantly. He refused to be first. He agreed to take his turn with 
them. They began. Each Snake had for his subject the life of their 
guest and that of his grandmother. When all were through with their 
stories the boy began his story: ‘“‘Nesaru commanded the winds to 
