Thus shortens my story.
ÁTAHSAIA, THE CANNIBAL DEMON
IN the days of the ancients, when the children of our forefathers lived in Héshokta (“Town of the Cliffs”), there also lived two beautiful maidens, elder and younger, sisters one to the other, daughters of a master-chief.
One bright morning in summer-time, the elder sister called to the younger, “Háni!”
“What sayest thou?” said the háni.
“The day is bright and the water is warm. Let us go down to the pool and wash our clothes, that we may wear them as if new at the dance to come.”
“Ah, yes, sister elder,” said the háni; “but these are days when they say the shadows of the rocks and even the sage-bushes lodge unthinkable things, and cause those who walk alone to breathe hard with fear.”
“Shtchu!” exclaimed the elder sister derisively. “Younger sisters always are as timid as younger brothers are bad-tempered.”
“Ah, well, then; as you will, sister elder. I will not quarrel with your wish, but I fear to go.”