Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/219

214 from that point both returned at the same time, so they knew they were at the middle of the land.

This is the song that Elder Brother sang when they reached the middle:

He then bent down and scratched his head. The lice that dropped became ants, which dried up that particular spot in a very short time, for the earth had been everywhere wet and muddy. Then they all sat down to create the various animals that had lived before the flood. Elder Brother sat facing the west, for, said he, "I came out upon the earth in the west and I am going to face that way." Coyote sat facing the south, for "I came out in the south and I am to face that way." Earth Doctor seated himself facing the east, for, said he, "I came out in the east and I am going to face that way." Each agreed not to look at what the others were making nor to tell what he was doing until all was finished, and then all that they had made should be showed at once. A moment later Elder Brother said he was ready and asked the others to show what they had made. So Coyote and Earth Doctor brought their work before him. Coyote had made all the web-footed animals, snakes, and birds. Earth Doctor had made creatures resembling human beings, but they were deformed—some having but one leg, others immense ears, some with imperforate bodies, others with flames of fire in their knees.

Elder Brother told Coyote to throw the animals which he had created into the water. He told Earth Doctor to place his creatures in the west. Both obeyed. After throwing his beings into the west Earth Doctor sank into the earth, but while his body was yet halfway down Elder Brother jumped and tried to grasp it. He was not successful, and Earth Doctor disappeared. Elder Brother in trying to hold Earth Doctor got his hands covered with dirt and blood, like those of a man killing an animal. He shook his hands and the blood sprinkled over all the earth. That is what causes all kinds of sickness among us now, for the diseases were scattered over the land and in the water.

Elder Brother and Coyote were left in possession of the land. After the images which the former had made had been kept for four days, one of the Apache group (they were divided into equal groups) came to life and said, "It's very cold," and began to sway its body back and forth, Earth Doctor said, "Oh, I didn't think you would be the first to awake!" and he was so angry he took all the Apaches