Page:The Annals of the Cakchiquels.djvu/119

Rh Xepoyom. Immediately the warriors quit those places without finishing their labors, and they all agreed to go and dwell on the borders of the lake. At that time the tribes were filled with terror when the eagle with green plumage passed through the sky, Gucucot, the enchanter, and sadness covered the tribes like a shadow when they heard him pass in the sky. Thus he appeared to the women of Tzununa, of Tzolola, of Ahachel and of Vayza. He soared above the shore and half the people went with him.

42. Truly it was a time of suffering when we came to establish ourselves in our places, said our ancestors of old, oh my children. There was nothing to eat and there was no relish for what had been brought along, nor was there material for clothing. All was lacking; we lived on the bark of trees and we rested our hearts under the shadow of our lances. At that time the people began to prepare the soil for the planting of corn; the woods were cleared and the brush burned, to prepare for the planting. Thus we came to have a little to eat, and we worked in the bark of trees and the maguey. When there was still some food the vultures passed in the air. At first they took a bird; then they ate some of our food, say the people; but none of them remained when they came.

43. The Tukuches having arrived and settled, our ancestor Gagavitz married Gomakaa, our first ancestress, who brought us forth — us, the Xahila. Many others also married; for there had been a stringent prohibition with regard to marriage; so that when they went in to bathe, their organs gave way and they spilled their seed. Many were thus prohibited, it is said, and the prohibition was made a second time, because they had carnal