Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/229

224 After the people had killed Hâ-âk they followed the tracks of the boys, who had gone toward the east with their parrots. The pursuers raised a cloud of dust as they went along, which betrayed their presence on the trail to the boys, who exclaimed, "What shall we do!" At length they set free the parrots, which flew up into the mountains, where they concealed themselves in the forest. Following their example, the boys hastened to the same place, where they successfully eluded the pursuers. After the people had abandoned the search the boys went back to their former home and found that their grandmother had been killed. She had left directions which they carried out. They gave the body proper burial in the sand. At the end of four-day periods she had told them to visit her grave until they saw a plant growing out of it; four days after it appeared they were to gather the leaves, and in time they would learn what was to be done with them. The boys obeyed her commands and obtained tobacco, which they learned to use through the instruction of Elder Brother.

After killing Hâ-âk Elder Brother made his home at Baboquivari for some time. Hearing of the fact that the boys were living alone at their old home, he visited them. He inquired about their welfare and seemed to be disposed to befriend them. Finding the tobacco leaves, he inquired if they had been used yet, and was assured that they had not been. Elder Brother then revealed the purpose for which the leaves had been intended. "These are to be rolled in corn husks and smoked," said he; "I will give you, also, earth flowers to mix with the tobacco when you smoke if you desire to gain the favor of the women." He showed them how to collect the bark of the tree which induces sleep. "Make this into a powder," said he, "and when you wish to overpower anyone just shake this before them." Then Elder Brother left the youths, who followed his instructions and found the love philter and the sleeping powder to be irresistible. But the people were incensed at their use of the charms and finally killed them.

Elder Brother continued to live in the cave at Baboquivari for some time. He went about the country from village to village seeking to do mischief. He sang the song of the menstrual period and accompanied it by reviling the family of the young girls. At last the people could endure his pranks no longer and drove him away. He went to Mo’hatûk mountain, north of the Gila, and the people there gathered to destroy him.

Elder Brother went into his house and the people came and clubbed him to death. They pounded his head until it was flat, then dragged