Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/327

Rh give?" Then God changed him into a marmot, and ordered that he should eat grass. The marmot left his family with the cry, "Anguit! Anguit!" that is "Amanbul!" farewell! and now also he screeches out this farewell compliment whenever he climbs out of his hole. The cattle of Karunbai God changed into wild beasts. The oxen into reindeer (Bogu), the sheep into argali, the goats into rock goats (tau ishkê), the horses into kulans and surtax, and the camels into tiu ê giēk. — (Written from a Tarbagatai Kirghis of the Djastaban tribe.)

Formerly the Kazaks, that is the Kirghis, had only oxen, the people did not know horses at all. They adorned the oxen on the horns and tails with owl feathers, and rode upon them: all, even nobles and rich men did not disdain to do so. Something flowed from the oxen's nose, and the people began to beseech God, and he made them then the horse from the wind. The wind raised itself in a cloud of dust, and a herd of horses galloped by. The people let go the cow and the horse for a race; the cow got first, and the steed was left behind. They both were wearied, and wished to drink. The cow ran first to the hole of the marmot and asked him, "Su ūr sasuik su kaida" ; that is, "Stinking marmot, where is water?" The offended marmot showed her some stinking, stagnant water, saying, "There is water, stinking cow." The cow drank and ran a little further. Then the horse ran up afterwards and asked, "Su ūr Djupar su kaida?" that is, "Djupar (?) marmot, where is water?" "There is water, Djupar horse," said the marmot, and showed her good, clean, and delightful water. The cow, having drunk bad water, could not run quickly, and the horse got before her.—(Written from the same Djastaban man.)

If one has shot down a marmot from the bow it is well; but if he escapes with the arrow into his hole it is evil. He changes himself into a chētkur (devil). Ten men, the whole gachoun, will not then dig him out. It will be hard for the whole Aimak to get him.—(Khotogait.)