"Make haste, you two girls, and sing for that Hlahi. I am nearly dead,
almost cut in two, I am so dry."
He had tightened his belt a little that evening. Kopus danced all
night, and the two girls sang for him.
"I have not found out which way that woman went," said he, next
morning.
He danced five days and nights, and then said: "I can tell nothing. I
know nothing about this woman, Mem Loimis."
Every bola heris[3] that was lying inside the sweat-house was terribly
thirsty. One old man got up and said,--
[3] Bola means "to tell one of the creation myths;" bolas means
"one of the myths;" bola heris is an actor in any of them, a
personage mentioned or described in a creation myth.
"What kind of a Hlahi have you here? What kind of a Hlahi is Kopus? He
is here five days and nights and can tell nothing, knows nothing. If
you wish to learn something, bring a Hlahi who has knowledge of
water."
"This old Kopus knows nothing of water," said Toko. "Old Kopus is a
good Hlahi for acorns and for the Tsudi and Kaisus people; that is all
he is good for. I know this Kopus well. Get a Hlahi who knows more
than he does."
"You bola herises tell us," said Olelbis, "who is a good Hlahi for
water, and we will get him. Look at my children; they are almost dying
of thirst. Tell us where their mother, Mem Loimis, is."
"Oh, daylight, come quickly; be here right away! I am almost cut in
two I am so dry. Oh, daylight, come quickly!" groaned Hubit.