during one of these ceremonial hunts, chase the same rabbit, and the woman succeeds in slaying it, then her male competitor must exchange his dress for that of the successful woman, who in turn proudly, amidst applause and jeerings, assumes the garb of the male.  The man thereafter has to go on hunting until he kills a rabbit himself, and can by offering it to the woman reclaim his clothing.  All are not lucky enough to succeed, and it happens sometimes that the hunt is over before their efforts are successful.  Such unfortunates are required to gather a load of firewood as big as they can carry, and bring it to the house of the woman holding their clothes in pledge.  Thereupon the dresses are exchanged, and the night passes in the usual childish amusements for the many, in religious rites for the religious functionaries.

The men first seen by the brothers betrayed by their dress and occupation that they belonged to the unlucky ones.  They saw at a glance that the new-comers were village Indians; they also recognized from their behaviour that they came with friendly intentions.  This increased their embarrassment, for they knew, or at least supposed, that the strangers would see at once the cause of their strange appearance.  So great was their uneasiness, that one of them crouched behind a bush to hide.

Meanwhile all the Tehuas, who had been standing some distance off, came running up, with the exception of one, who was seen going toward the pueblo at full speed.  The others held their wooden clubs ready, in case of trouble.  Hayoue advanced toward them in his usual unconcerned way, and saluted them with—­

“Guatzena, Puyatye!”

Zashue had remained behind, keeping an eye on the weapons which both of them had laid on the ground.

The Tanos whispered and whispered.  They evidently guessed at the meaning of Hayoue’s words, for one of them stepped up, and replied with the usual compliment in Tehua,—­

“Senggerehu.”

Each grasped the other’s hand.  Hayoue uttered “Queres,” and pointing to the west, “Tyuonyi.”

To this speech the other replied by pointing at himself and at his comrades with the word “Tano;” then at the village, which was still dimly visible in the twilight, “Oga P’ Hoge."[12] Thereupon he made the gesture-sign for sleep, and breathed on Hayoue’s hand.  The latter responded to the compliment and gave Zashue a signal to come nearer.  When Zashue rejoined the group they all greeted the Queres in the same manner, and the one who was still holding Hayoue’s hand began to pull him along, urging him to go to the village with them.  The adventurers from the Rito felt that they might be welcome.  Zashue even made an eccentric, clownish jump, exclaiming,—­

“Koshare raua!  Raua Koshare!”

Boisterous laughter broke out.  One of the Tanos threw his arm around Zashue’s neck, shouting at the top of his voice,—­

“Hiuonde tema kosare!” He pressed him to his breast, whispering,—­