Page:Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society V.djvu/187

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Navaho Legends.
157

448. When the Honagá'ni got back to the San Juan they found that the Tse'nahapĭ'lni had been long settled there and had become closely related to Tlastsíni, Dĕstsíni, Kĭnlĭtsíni, and Tsĭnadzĭ'ni. The Honagá'ni in time formed close relationships with Tha'nĕzá'ni, Dsĭltlá'ni, Tó'hani, and Nahopáni. These five gentes are now all the same as one gens, and no member of one may marry a member of another.

449. It happened about this time, while some of the Thá'paha were sojourning at Agála, that they sent two children, one night, to a spring to get water. The children carried out with them two wicker bottles, but returned with four. "Where did you get these other bottles?" the parents inquired. "We took them away from two little girls whom we met at the spring," answered the children. "Why did you do this, and who are the girls?" said the elders. "We do not know. They are strangers," said the little ones. The parents at once set out for the spring to find the strange children and restore the stolen bottles to them; but on their way they met the little girls coming toward the Thá'paha camp, and asked them who they were. The strange children replied: "We belong to a band of wanderers who are encamped on yonder mountain. They sent us two together to find water." "Then we shall give you a name," said the Thá'paha; "we shall call you To'baznaázi," Two Come Together for Water. The Thá'paha brought the little girls to their hut and bade them be seated. "Stay with us," they said. "You are too weak and little to carry the water so far. We will send some of our young men to carry it for you." When the young men found the camp of the strangers they invited the latter to visit them. The Thá'paha welcomed the new-comers as friends, and told them they had already a name for them, To'baznaázi. Under this name they became united to the Navahoes as a new gens, and they are now closely affiliated with Thá'paha.197

450. Shortly after the coming of To'baznaázi, the Navahoes were joined by a band of Apaches, who were adopted by Thá'paha and not formed into a new gens. About the same time a band of Pah Utes came and were likewise adopted by Thá'paha. A little later some more Apaches arrived and became a part of Thá'paha; but, although no distinct name is now given them, their descendants are known among the Thá'paha as a people of different origin from the others.

451. Another party of Apaches, who came afterwards, dwelt a long time among the To'dokózi; but later they abode with the Thá'paha, and became closely related to the latter. They are still affiliated with Thá'paha, but these call them To'dokózi.