Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 22, 1911.djvu/256

 222 Collectanea.

people (pagans). He went and brought his father and his friend. He brought a robe, a cap, and a turban. He saluted his father, and gave (him them). He gave (some to) his friend also, a robe, a cap, and everything. He took his father to the door of the council chamber. He drew his sword, and asked the people, saying, — " If a man hates you, what is done with him ? " They said, — "He should be killed." He took his sword, and cut off the head of his father. Then the turban fell off, and rolled itself around the neck.^ It arose up (in the air), and became a Crow, and called, — " Da ! da ! da ! " (son, son, son).

38. The Womaft and her strange Suitors. (B.G.)

There was a certain widow who had no husband, and the first who came to seek her in marriage was (no one first came except) the Lizard. He was always coming and wanting to marry her. Then the Mouse heard the news. So he went to her, and said, — " As for you, may God curse you. Is there no one who wishes to marry you except the Lizard?" Then she said, — "What's the matter with him" (what is to him)? Then the Mouse said, — " Oh, he is bhnd. He cannot see at nighttime." Then he said, — " If you do not agree, (and say that he) is not blind, when he comes to-morrow, and when he is about to go home, keep him and say * Oh no, wait till after sunset.' " So the Lizard came, and they (were) talking, and talking, and talking (until) evening was almost come. When he saw the sun was about to set, he said, — " Iss, I must go home." Then she said, — " Oh no, do wait (leave). In a little while you shall go." So he waited. When the sun had set, she said, — "All right. You can go home." So he said, — "Very well." When he had gone outside, he began stumbling and groping. Before he had gone about twenty paces, it became dark. So he found a grassy (spot), and lay down (put himself there). So he slept there. In the early morning the woman said, — "Now let me go and follow his footprints. The Mouse said he was blind. If he be blind, he will not have reached home." So she (started) walking, and walking, and walking, until she came and saw him lying down. Then she said, — "What has caused you to sleep

^ This accounts for the white breast.