ide many years later and gave rise to disease and premature death,
for as the good Winds are life-breathing, so the evil Winds are
life-taking. Even now the Red Wind takes the lives of many children every
year.

[Illustration: _Haschogan_ - Navaho]

_Haschogan_ - Navaho

_From Copyright Photograph 1904 by E.S. Curtis_

Second in general importance only to Hasche{~COMBINING BREVE~}lti among Navaho deities is
the House God, here shown. His position among the gods is quite parallel
with that of peace chief among Indians in life. Like the majority of the
myth characters he has numerous counterparts in the various world
quarters.

The Digi{~COMBINING BREVE~}n made their homes near Choili, close to the place of emergence.
It was there that all ceremonies took place. From their homes the people
saw a dark Cloud settle and cover the top of Choili. For four days it kept
lowering until the mountain was completely shrouded in dark blue fog. They
did not know whether it portended good or evil, but realized that
something of moment was at hand. Astse Hastin ascended the mountain
through the fog to learn what it meant, but found nothing unusual. As he
turned to descend, a faint, apparently distant cry reached his ears, but
he paid no heed. Ere long the same sound came to him again; then a third
and a fourth time, whereupon he turned and walked in the direction whence
it came. On the eastern slope he found a tiny baby, and wrapping it in
rays of sunbeams he carried it home to his wife.

The Cloud that descended was a portion of the sky which had come to meet
the Earth; from the union of the two Yolkai Estsan, White-Shell Woman, was
born. In twelve days the baby had grown to maturity, subsisting on pollen
only. Astse Hastin and Astse Estsan sent messengers to all the Digin to
tell them of the marvel and to summon them to a ceremony which would be
held four days later. Word was sent also to the gods on the four sacred
mountains.

Astse Estsan dressed Yolkai Estsan in fine garments ornamented with
beautiful jewels. At the western side of her hogan she placed a sacred
deerskin and laid upon it several wool and cotton blankets, covering the
whole with a mountain-lion skin. These were arranged as the seat of honor
for White-Shell Woman, for whom was about to be held a ceremony
celebrating her maturity.

On the appointed day all assemb