--- title: The Antelope Boy — The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo I… · full text with trees description: The Antelope Boy, «The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo Indian folk-stories» by Charles Fletcher Lummis: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: ONCE upon a time there were two towns of the Tée-wahn, called Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee (white village) an --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [The man who married the moon, and othe…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/) / The Antelope Boy # The Antelope Boy The Antelope Boy of «The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo Indian folk-stories» by Charles Fletcher Lummis: the whole text, 95 sentences and 1941 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. ONCE upon a time there were two towns of the Tée-wahn, called Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee (white village) and Nah-choo-rée-too-ee (yellow village).[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") A man of Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee and his wife were attacked by Apaches while out on the plains one day, and took refuge in a cave, where they were besieged.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") And there a boy was born to them.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") The father was killed in an attempt to return to his village for help; and starvation finally forced the mother to crawl forth by night seeking roots to eat.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") Chased by the Apaches, she escaped to her own village, and it was several days before she could return to the cave--only to find it empty.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") The baby had begun to cry soon after her departure.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Just then a Coyote\[5\] was passing, and heard.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") Taking pity on the child, he picked it up and carried it across the plain until he came to a herd of antelopes.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Among them was a Mother-Antelope that had lost her fawn; and going to her the Coyote said:[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") \[5\] The small prairie-wolf.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") “Here is an \_ah-bóo\_ (poor thing) that is left by its people.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") Will you take care of it?”[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") The Mother-Antelope, remembering her own baby, with tears said “Yes,” and at once adopted the tiny stranger, while the Coyote thanked her and went home.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") So the boy became as one of the antelopes, and grew up among them until he was about twelve years old.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Then it happened that a hunter came out from Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee for antelopes, and found this herd.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Stalking them carefully, he shot one with an arrow.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") The rest started off, running like the wind; but ahead of them all, as long as they were in sight, he saw a boy\![17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") The hunter was much surprised, and, shouldering his game, walked back to the village, deep in thought.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Here he told the Cacique\[6\] what he had seen.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Next day the crier was sent out to call upon all the people to prepare for a great hunt, in four days, to capture the Indian boy who lived with the antelopes.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") \[6\] The highest religious official.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") While preparations were going on in the village, the antelopes in some way heard of the intended hunt and its purpose.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") The Mother-Antelope was very sad when she heard it, and at first would say nothing.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") But at last she called her adopted son to her and said: “Son, you have heard that the people of Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee are coming to hunt.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") But they will not kill us; all they wish is to take you.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") They will surround us, intending to let all the antelopes escape from the circle.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") You must follow me where I break through the line, and your real mother will be coming on the northeast side in a white \_manta\_ (robe).[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") I will pass close to her, and you must stagger and fall where she can catch you.”[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") On the fourth day all the people went out upon the plains.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") They found and surrounded the herd of antelopes, which ran about in a circle when the hunters closed upon them.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The circle grew smaller, and the antelopes began to break through; but the hunters paid no attention to them, keeping their eyes upon the boy.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") At last he and his antelope mother were the only ones left, and when she broke through the line on the northeast he followed her and fell at the feet of his own human mother, who sprang forward and clasped him in her arms.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Amid great rejoicing he was taken to Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee, and there he told the \_principales\_\[7\] how he had been left in the cave, how the Coyote had pitied him, and how the Mother-Antelope had reared him as her own son.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") \[7\] The old men who are the congress of the pueblo.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") It was not long before all the country round about heard of the Antelope Boy and of his marvelous fleetness of foot.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") You must know that the antelopes never comb their hair, and while among them the boy’s head had grown very bushy.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") So the people called him \_Pée-hleh-o-wah-wée-deh\_ (big-headed little boy).[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") MOTHER.\][38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") Among the other villages that heard of his prowess was Nah-choo-rée-too-ee, all of whose people “had the bad road.”[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") \[8\] They had a wonderful runner named \_Pée-k’hoo\_ (Deer-foot), and very soon they sent a challenge to Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee for a championship race.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") Four days were to be given for preparation, to make bets, and the like.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") The race was to be around the world.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") \[9\] Each village was to stake all its property and the lives of all its people on the result of the race.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") So powerful were the witches of Nah-choo-rée-too-ee that they felt safe in proposing so serious a stake; and the people of Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee were ashamed to decline the challenge.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") \[8\] That is, were witches.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") \[9\] The Pueblos believed it was an immense plain whereon the racers were to race over a square course--to the extreme east, then to the extreme north, and so on, back to the starting-point.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") The day came, and the starting-point was surrounded by all the people of the two villages, dressed in their best.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") On each side were huge piles of ornaments and dresses, stores of grain, and all the other property of the people.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") The runner for the yellow village was a tall, sinewy athlete, strong in his early manhood; and when the Antelope Boy appeared for the other side, the witches set up a howl of derision, and began to strike their rivals and jeer at them, saying, “Pooh\![49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") We might as well begin to kill you now\![50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") What can that \_óo-deh\_ (little thing) do?”[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") At the word “\_Hái-ko\![52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") \_” (“Go!”) the two runners started toward the east like the wind.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") The Antelope Boy soon forged ahead; but Deer-foot, by his witchcraft, changed himself into a hawk and flew lightly over the lad, saying, “\_We\_ do this way to each other!”[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") \[10\] The Antelope Boy kept running, but his heart was very heavy, for he knew that no feet could equal the swift flight of the hawk.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") \[10\] A common Indian taunt, either good-natured or bitter, to the loser of a game or to a conquered enemy.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") But just as he came half-way to the east, a Mole came up from its burrow and said:[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") “My son, where are you going so fast with a sad face?”[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The lad explained that the race was for the property and lives of all his people; and that the witch-runner had turned to a hawk and left him far behind.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") “Then, my son,” said the Mole, “I will be he that shall help you.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") Only sit down here a little while, and I will give you something to carry.”[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy sat down, and the Mole dived into the hole, but soon came back with four cigarettes.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") \[11\][63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") \[11\] These are made by putting a certain weed called \_pee-én-hleh\_ into hollow reeds.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") Holding them out, the Mole said, “Now, my son, when you have reached the east and turned north, smoke one; when you have reached the north and turn west, smoke another; when you turn south, another, and when you turn east again, another.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") \_Hái-ko\![66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy ran on, and soon reached the east.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") Turning his face to the north he smoked the first cigarette.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") No sooner was it finished than he became a young antelope; and at the same instant a furious rain began.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") Refreshed by the cool drops, he started like an arrow from the bow.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") Half-way to the north he came to a large tree; and there sat the hawk, drenched and chilled, unable to fly, and crying piteously.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") “Now, friend, \_we\_ too do this to each other,” called the boy-antelope as he dashed past.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") But just as he reached the north, the hawk--which had become dry after the short rain--caught up and passed him, saying, “We too do this to each other!”[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") The boy-antelope turned westward, and smoked the second cigarette; and at once another terrific rain began.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") \[12\] Half-way to the west he again passed the hawk shivering and crying in a tree, and unable to fly; but as he was about to turn to the south, the hawk passed him with the customary taunt.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") The smoking of the third cigarette brought another storm, and again the antelope passed the wet hawk half-way, and again the hawk dried its feathers in time to catch up and pass him as he was turning to the east for the home-stretch.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") Here again the boy-antelope stopped and smoked a cigarette--the fourth and last.[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics") Again a short, hard rain came, and again he passed the water-bound hawk half-way.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics") \[12\] I should state, by the way, that the cigarette plays an important part in the Pueblo folk-stories,--they never had the pipe of the Northern Indians,--and all rain-clouds are supposed to come from its smoke.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics") HOME-STRETCH, STRAINING EVERY NERVE.”\][80](80/ "tree and pragmatics") Knowing the witchcraft of their neighbors, the people of Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee had made the condition that, in whatever shape the racers might run the rest of the course, they must resume human form upon arrival at a certain hill upon the fourth turn, which was in sight of the goal.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics") The last wetting of the hawk’s feathers delayed it so that the antelope reached the hill just ahead; and there, resuming their natural shapes, the two runners came sweeping down the home-stretch, straining every nerve.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics") But the Antelope Boy gained at each stride.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics") When they saw him, the witch-people felt confident that he was their champion, and again began to push, and taunt, and jeer at the others.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics") But when the little Antelope Boy sprang lightly across the line, far ahead of Deer-foot, their joy turned to mourning.[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") The people of Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee burned all the witches upon the spot, in a great pile of corn; but somehow one escaped, and from him come all the witches that trouble us to this day.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics") The property of the witches was taken to Nah-bah-tóo-too-ee; and as it was more than that village could hold, the surplus was sent to Shee-eh-whíb-bak (Isleta), where we enjoy it to this day; and later the people themselves moved here.[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") And even now, when we dig in that little hill on the other side of the \_charco\_ (pool), we find charred corn-cobs, where our forefathers burned the witch-people of the yellow village.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics") During Lorenso’s story the black eyes of the boys have never left his face; and at every pause they have made the customary response, “Is that so?” to show their attention; while the old men have nodded approbation, and smoked in deep silence.[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics") Now Lorenso turns to Desiderio,\[13\] who is far more wrinkled even than he, and says, “You have a tail, brother.”[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics") And Desiderio, clearing his throat and making a new cigarette with great impressiveness, begins: “My sons, do you know why the Coyote and the Crows are always at war?[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") No?[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics") Then I will tell you.”[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics") \[13\] Pronounced Day-see-dáy-ree-oh.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics") II[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [The Brown Story-tellers](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/2/) - next →: [The Coyote and the Crows](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/4/) - ↑ back to [The man who married the moon, and other Pueblo Indian folk-stories](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg77804/)