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JANUARY, 1894.7
FOLKLORE OF THE SGAW-KARENS.
They did exactly as he told them, and descending from the hut they caught the old sow, and killed and cooked it. When the flesh was ready, they stirred it about in their curry.
They said to each other: "There is very much of it. In order that we may enjoy it thoroughly, push the liquor-pot close up to the well."
And so it was done.
Moreover, after they had feasted they performed the ceremony of tamap'o as follows. They took a fowl and killed it, and, having cooked it, ate a portion. Afterwards they went and buried the remainder under the ground, because they were afraid that some one else was going to come and eat it. They called this tamap'o.
VIII.-The writing of the Karens will come back to them. Howbeit the Karens lost heavily and were not able to devise anything, so that their misery and insignificance were very great.
They considered again: “We are not as other people. Let us devise a means of getting back our writing. We will go and take it from the Kulás."
They feared that the latter would not easily part with the writing; and, on searching amongst themselves they found only seven valiant youths, who would go for it. They des. patched them accordingly, and they came to where the Kulås were. When the Kulås saw the Karens coming they feared greatly. The Karens on coming near the Kulás clenched their fists, and so approached them together,
They said to the Kulâs : "Will you give up our writing, or will you not ?" And they looked fiercely at them.
The Kulâs replied: "We will give you the writing. Do not be angry with ns, O brethren."
But the hands of the Karens remained clenched, and they did not think fit to listen to the Kulâs.
The latter deliberated and said: "These Karens are tall and straight. We cannot conquer them."
But others said: “Only maidens can conquer young men."
So they deliberated and made ready seven maidens, tall and fair to look upon, and these they placed in front.
They called across to the Karens: “O Karens, if you will only trust our word, these maidens are yours."
When the Kulás spoke, the Karens saw the faces of the maidens, and they became glad, and smilingly unclenched their hands, for the forms of these maidens were very beautiful, and they were decked with ornaments of great price.
And the Kulás spoke cunningly thus: “Dear brethren, our father, God, gave one writing for one race and one for another. It will be hard for you to learn our writing, because God devised it for us only. Please now learn the writing with ns, and afterwards you can return. Should you return now you will live anbappily, because you will not be able to do or make anything. Once you have mastered the writing, you can return. If you remain with us until you know it, these maidens are yours. Enjoy yourselves here."
When the Karens heard these words their resolution was broken, and marrying the maidens they became lost amongst the Kulâs. The elders left behind looked for their return; but they came not, and the elders heard news that they had become lost amongst the Kulâs, for the sake of the maidens.
And the elders sent word to them: “Will you not bring us back the writing?"
The young men replied: "When the time is come, we will certainly bring back the writing. But it is not yet time for us to return."
