538. They went from the lodge toward a mountain which was edged on two sides by steep cliffs, which no man could climb. On the top of the mountain the old man said there was a round hole or valley in which his enemies dwelled. He stationed his son-in-law on one side of this round valley where no cliffs were, and he went to the opposite side to drive the enemy, as he said. He promised to join the Navaho when the enemy started. Deer Raiser went around the mountain and cried four times in imitation of a wolf. Then, instead of coming to his comrade's help, he ran around the base of the hill and got behind his son-in-law. Soon after the old man made his cry, the Navaho saw twelve great ferocious bears coming toward him over the crest of the hill. They were of the kind called sasnalkáhi, or tracking bears, such as scent and track a man, and follow till they kill him. They were of all the sacred colors,—white, blue, yellow, black, and spotted. They came toward the Navaho, but he was well armed and prepared to meet them. He fought with them the hardest fight he ever fought; but at length he killed them all, and suffered no harm himself.240
539. In the mean time the old man ran off in the direction of his home, sure that his son-in-law was killed. He said: "I think we shall hear no more of Natĭ'nĕsthani. I think we shall hear no more of Áhodĭseli. Hereafter it will be Natĭ'nĕsthanini (the dead Natĭ'nĕsthani). Hereafter it will be Áhodĭselini (the dead Áhodĭseli).241 He can't come back out of the tracking bears' mouths." After killing the bears, the Navaho found the old man's trail and followed it. Presently he came to Deer Raiser, who was sitting on a knoll. The old man could not conceal his astonishment at seeing the Navaho still alive. "When we went out to this battle," said the young man, "we promised not to desert one another. Why did you run away from me?" The Deer Raiser answered: "I am sorry I could not find you. I did not see where you were, so I came on this way. What did you do where I left you? Did you kill any of the bears?" "Yes, I killed all of them," said Natĭ'nĕsthani. "I am glad you killed all and came away with your own life, my dear son-in-law," said the old cheat.
540. They started to walk home together, but night fell when they reached a rocky ridge on the way; here they picked out a nice spot of ground to sleep on, built a shelter of brushwood, and made a fire. Before they went to rest the old man said: "This is a bad place to camp. It is called Kedĭdĭ'lyena'a' (Ridge of the Burnt Moccasins)." As they lay down to sleep, one on either side of the fire, each took off his moccasins and put them under his head. The old man said: "Take good care of your moccasins, my son-in-law. Place them securely." "Why does he say these things?"
