Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/254

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RUSSELL]
ABSTRACTS OF NURSERY TALES
249

CHILDREN OF CLOUD

Twin boys immediate result of marriage of Cloud and the beautiful mat maker, who had refused all suitors. Boys grow up, inquire for father, sent to the east to find him. Meet Wind, their uncle, and Cloud, their father. Tested by rain, thunder, and lightning, and accepted. After long visit start for home; encounter Raven, Hawk, Eagle, and Coyote; stand on each side of trail to avoid latter and are transformed into mescal.

SKULL AND HIS MAGIC

Man by night and Skull by day, he married maiden who had refused other suitors. Successful hunter because deer fell dead at sight of him. Winner in football race, thus silencing all ridicule.

ORIGIN OF THE HORSE

Two brothers burdened with heavy game. One conceives plan of relief and asks other to help him. Latter cuts body of former into four pieces and throws them into a lake; in four days returns and finds four horses.

Abtracts of Nursery Tales

THE FIVE LITTLE ORPHANS AND THEIR AUNT

Parents killed by Apaches and unmarried aunt supported children. While hunting one day warned by cottontail rabbit that Apaches had been at their house. On return find aunt dead, but never having seen a corpse did not recognize her. With mescal kept fire against her return; at night frightened and pursued by her ghost until all turned to stone.

COYOTE AND THE QUAILS

Quails cut pieces of fat from Coyote as he slept; he awakened and overtook them in camp; asked for refreshment and was given of his own flesh; starting on he was taunted about it by the quails. Turned to pursue them and almost ran them down when they ran into a hole, the foremost carrying a cholla stem. Coyote asked each in turn if she were guilty; on denial, let them go: finally asked cholla, and receiving no reply, bit it hard and it killed him.

THE WOMAN AND COYOTE

Coyote in cottonwood tree asked woman wading in river to give him some of her tortillas; she refused, but on being threatened went up to tree and told him to jump down, as the water was shallow; but she was standing on a stump; when he jumped he was drowned in the deep water.