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Show father came and knew he was only sleeping, and would have me take the pony to take you home. Somli lay on the soft goatskin rug and watched the faces of his family. For had not his father come home? Had not the father of Coyote given them rabbit meat for a feast? It was dusk when the family of Coyote drove up to the hogan in the wagon. Coyote's pony tethered to a tree whinnied to welcome them. Somli raised up and leaned against the hogan wall. Were these the screaming, bush-headed children he had heard all summer? All here with faces washed, hair combed and held back with a band of cloth of different color for each child. Here were silent children with frightened eyes. The father, too, wore a band on his head. His in the face thin and solemn. The anxious, tired mother y \ dress of good Navajo women, with the tunic and great skirt, with the hair freshly combed and tied back with a white string. The family comes, but where is Coyote, thought Somli. All eyes turned to his father. "Ahalani," said he. "Ahalani," answered the visiting father. "The boy. Coyote," said Somli's father, "is he well?" "He speaks," answered the father, "but his legs do not move." Somli choked and his mother gave a gasp. The visiting mother wiped the tears from her eyes. The children stood motionless. "It is for Tlepa, Coyote they call him. He would give the pony to your son, Somli," said the father. "A pony!" cried Somli in surprise. "Yes, the one tied to the tree," said the father. |
