Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/215

210 came she should take good care of his bow, arrows, shield, war club, spear, or any other weapon he might bring. At this the maiden dried her tears and awaited with pleasure the bridegroom's coming. When he came she took his bow and arrows and carefully put them in a safe place. After exchanging good wishes for health and happiness, they went to the dwelling prepared for them. Soon the screams of a child aroused old South Doctor and his wife, who came running, desirous of seeing their grandchild. The old woman took up the babe and tried to present it to her daughter, but she refused to accept it, saying, "I am not the mother. He gave birth to the child. Give it to him." So the young man took the child away and returned to Elder Brother, but as he was very much ashamed of himself, he did not bring the baby, but left it by the wayside. Elder Brother knew what was happening, for he was finishing his olla. As the youth approached he asked, "How does it happen that you come alone and do not bring the young child that is born of you? Go bring it hither, and we will take care of it. We have been outwitted and our plan defeated, but that is the best we can do." The young man went after the child, the screams of which shook the earth and could be heard for a great distance. Earth Doctor then called his people together and told them there would be a great flood. After describing the calamity that would befall them, he sang:

He thrust his staff into the ground, and with it bored a hole quite through to the other side of the earth. Some of the people went into the hole, while others appealed to Elder Brother. Their appeals were not heeded, but Coyote asked his assistance, and he was told to find a big log and sit upon it. This would carry him safely on the surface of the water along with the driftwood. Elder Brother got into his olla and closed the opening by which he entered, singing in the meantime:

As he was borne along by the flood he sang: