I0o TRADITIONS OF THE CADDO. 
63. COYOTE, MOUNTAIN-LION, AND RABBIT.* 
One time, when Coyote was out hunting for something to eat, he heard 
something crying like achild. He ran to some rocks from whence the 
sound came, and there he found Mountain-Lion’s den and her young 
left there alone. He determined to devour them, for he wasvery hungry, 
but he hesitated because he feared Mountain-Lion. At last hunger 
got the better of his judgment, and, saying to himself that he was not 
afraid of old Mountain-Lion, he killed and ate all of her children. 
When the mother came back from the hunt with food for her young 
ones, she could not find them. She looked every place, and soon dis- 
covered Coyote’s foot-prints. She knew at once what had happened. 
She started out to find Coyote, but he always escaped her. After she 
had followed him many days, she sat down on the bank of the river to 
rest. Not far away she saw some one and she at once recognized 
Rabbit. She determined to call Rabbit and ask him to help her catch 
Coyote, for he was the enemy of both. Mountain-Lion called to him 
in a gentle voice so as not to frighten him, and asked him to conie to 
her, for she wanted to speak to him. Rabbit was afraid at first, but 
when Mountain-Lion told him that she wanted him to help capture 
Coyote, Rabbit came. They started along the river together. Soon 
they found adeer. Mountain-Lion told Rabbit to wait while she killed 
the deer. She followed the deer into the thicket, killed it, and then 
called Rabbit to come and help her cut itup. When they had butchered 
it, Mountain-Lion told Rabbit to cover her face with fat so that she 
could not be recognized ; then to put the deer on her back. After Rabbit 
had done that, Mountain-Lion told him to get on top of the deer and 
to drive her around until they met Coyote. While they were cross- 
ing the prairie they heard some one calling, ‘‘ Rabbit, where did you 
get your fine horse?’’ But Rabbit did not answer, and went on as 
though he had not heard the voice. Again the voice called, ‘‘ Rabbit, 
did not you hear me? Wait, I say, I want to see your horse.’’ Rabbit 
went on until Coyote, for it was he, had caught up with him ; then he 
said, ‘‘ This fine horse was given to me.’’ Coyote said: ‘‘ Get right off. 
That horse is mine. I lost it and you have found it. Get right off.’’ 
Rabbit pretended to be afraid and jumped off. Just as Coyote was 
about to get on the horse, he stopped to bite a piece of fat off of its 
face. Then he recognized Mountain-Lion and started to run for his 
life, but it was too late. Mountain-Lion sprang upon him and killed 
him. 
* Told by Wing. 
