ch road, even as a corral,
no game animal, even though great Elk or strong Buck Deer, could pass.

Now, it rained many days, and thus the tracks of all these animals
tending thither were washed away. Nowhere could the Ka[']-ka or the
children of men, although they hunted day after day over the plains and
mountains, on the mesas and along the canon-valleys, find prey or trace
of prey.

Thus it happened that after many days they grew hungry, almost famished.
Even the great strong Sha'-la-k'o and the swift Sa-la-mo-pi-a walked
zigzag in their trails, from the weakness of hunger. At first the mighty
Ka[']-ka and men alike were compelled to eat the bones they had before
cast away, and at last to devour the soles of their moccasins and even
the deer-tail ornaments of their dresses for want of the flesh of
K'iap-in-a-ha-i, Game animals.

Still, day after day, though weak and disheartened, men and the
Ka[']-ka sought game in the mountains. At last a great Elk was given
liberty. His sides shook with tallow, his dewlap hung like a bag, so
fleshy was it, his horns spread out like branches of a dead tree, and
his crackling hoofs cut the sands and even the rocks as he ran westward.
He circled far off toward the Red River, passed through the Round
Valley, and into the northern canons. The Sha'-la-k'o was out hunting.
He espied the deep tracks of the elk and fleetly followed him. Passing
swift and strong was he, though weak from hunger, and ere long he came
in sight of the great Elk. The sight gladdened and strengthened him; but
alas! the Elk kept his distance as he turned again toward the
hiding-place of his brother animals. On and on the Sha'-la-k'o followed
him, until he came to the edge of a great canon, and peering over the
brink discovered the hiding-place of all the game animals of the world.

"Aha! so here you all are," said he. "I'll hasten back to my father,
Pa-u-ti-wa,[1] who hungers for flesh, alas! and grows weak." And like
the wind the Sha'-la-k'o returned to Ko-thlu-el-lon-ne. Entering, he
informed the Ka[']-ka, and word was sent out by the swift
Sa-la-mo-pi-a[2] to all the We-ma-a-ha-i for counsel and assistance, for
the We-ma-a-ha-i were now the Fathers of men and the Ka[']-ka . The
Mountain Lion, the Coyote, the Wild Cat, the Wolf, the Eagle, the
Falcon, the Ground Owl, and the Mole were summoned, all hungry and lean,
as were the Ka'-ka and the children of men, from want of the flesh of
the game animals. Neverthe