I assented; that whole track is nothing but sand and drift, but which particular hills he meant I could not of course imagine.  Still, the Indian knows every foot of the country, and he supposed that I, having been over the trail two or three times, recollected every detail of it as well as he did himself.

“You know also that there are junipers right there.”

Such was indeed the case.  Not only there, but all over the country.

“Well, there, about two leagues from Cochiti, the scalp spoke, ’Sister, they are quite near; hide yourself.’  The woman looked around, but she saw no other hiding-place except the junipers.  You know them, they are to the left of the trail.”

I nodded of course.  There are a great many to the left of the trail.

“Then the scalp told her, ‘Crawl into a rabbit-hole under the tree.’  You know the hole, don’t you?”

I said yes to this query also.  Around Cochiti there are perhaps hundreds of rabbit-burrows; and it might have been one of those, although after a full century a rabbit’s hole is not supposed to be apparent.  The narrator was satisfied, nevertheless, for I had assented.

“It is well; but as the woman looked at that hole she was frightened and replied, ‘It is too small.’  ‘Creep into it,’ ordered the scalp.  ’I cannot even get my head into it,’ objected the koitza from Cochiti.  ‘Creep in quick, they come!’ the scalp cried.  The woman tried, and the opening became larger and larger.  First she found room for her head, afterward for her shoulders; lastly her whole body was inside.  As soon as she was within, the hole closed again and appeared as small as before.  Was not that wonderful?”

I thought it was strange indeed, exceedingly wonderful.  I could not refrain from asking my friend,—­

“But was it really so?”

“So the old men are telling, those from many years ago.  It must be true.  Therefore don’t disturb me in my speech, and listen.  The Navajos came on.  They saw that the tracks stopped.  They jumped from their horses, and the woman heard them go about searching, complaining, howling, scolding.  At last they mounted their horses again and rode off.  When all was quiet the scalp spoke, ’Sister, they have gone; get out now and let us return to your people.’  With this the hole opened; the woman crept out and ran and ran as fast as she could.  When she reached the Canada de la Peralta, the scalp spoke for the last time, saying to her, ’Sister, now you are safe; henceforth I shall speak no more.’  And so it was.  On the other side of the ravine stood her own husband.  He recognized her at once.  They went together to the houses, where she lived for many years.”

He paused and looked at me, scanning my face to see the impression made by his tale.  Then he continued,—­

“You see now, sa uishe, how the scalp saved her to whom it belonged.  Therefore we take ahtzeta, for as long as the spirit is not at Shipapu it follows him who has taken the scalp, and serves and helps him.  And the strength, wisdom, and knowledge of him whose scalp has been taken, hereafter belong to the man who took it; they increase his power and make the tribe more powerful.”