Page:Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society V.djvu/199

Rh "Such as you cannot come here giving orders. I fear you not, Water Sprinkler; you shall not have your grandchild." Then Tó'nenĭli went out again and told his friends what had happened to him, and what had been said in the house of Tiéholtsodi under the water.

485. The gods held another council. "Who shall go down and rescue our grandchild?" was the question they asked one another. While they were talking Hastsézĭni212 (Black God), who owns all fire, sat apart and took no part in the council. He had built a fire, while the others waited, and sat with his back to it, as was his custom. "Go tell your grandfather there what has occurred," said the others to Tó'nenĭli. The latter went over to where Hastsézĭni sat. "Why are they gathered together yonder and of what do they talk so angrily?" said the Black God. In answer, Tó'nenĭli told of his adventures under the water and what Tiéholtsodi had said to him. Hastsézĭni was angry when he heard all this. "I fear not the sacred people beneath the water," he said. "I shall have my grandchild." He hastened to the river, taking Tó'nenĭli with him, for Tó'nenĭli had the power to open the water, and these two descended into the river. When they reached the room where Tiéholtsodi sat, the Black God said, "We come together for our grandchild." "Run out there, both of you. Such as you may not enter here," said Tiéholtsodi. "I go not without my grandson. Give him to me, and I shall go," said the other. "Run out," repeated Tiéholtsodi, "I shall not release your grandchild." "I shall take my grandchild. I fear you not." "I shall not restore him to you. I heed not your words." "I never recall what I have once spoken. I have come for my grandchild, and I shall not leave without him." "I said you should not go with him, and I mean what I say. I am mighty." Thus they spoke defiantly to one another for some time. At length Hastsézĭni said: "I shall beg no longer for my grandchild. You say you are mighty. We shall see which is the more powerful, you or I," and Tiéholtsodi answered: "Neither shall I ask your permission to keep him. I should like to see how you will take him from me." When Hastsézĭni heard this he took from his belt his fire-stick and fire-drill.213 He laid the stick on the ground, steadied it with both feet, and whirled the drill around, pausing four times. The first time he whirled the drill there was a little smoke; the second time there was a great smoke; the third time there was flame; the fourth time the surrounding waters all took fire. Then Tiéholtsodi cried: "Take your grandchild, but put out the flames." "Ah," said Hastsézĭni, "you told me you were mighty. Why do you implore me now? Why do you not put out the fire yourself? Do you mean what you say this time? Do you really want