The Hunter Maiden. Ethel Johnston Phelps

short-skirted dress, pulled on the deerskin stockings, and threw a large mantle over her back. The string of corn cakes was slung over one shoulder, the rabbit sticks thrust into her belt. Carrying the stone ax, she set out for the river valley beyond their pueblo.

      Though the snow lay smooth and unbroken, it was not deep enough to hinder her. Moving along steadily, she came at last to the river valley, where she climbed the cliffs and canyons on the steep, sloping sides. In and around the rocks and bushes, she saw the tracks of many rabbits.

      She followed the tracks eagerly, running from one place to another. At first she had little skill. But remembering all that her brothers had showed her, she at last became skillful enough to add many rabbits to her string.

      Snow had begun to fall, but the girl did not heed this, nor did she notice that it was growing dark.

      “How happy my parents will be to have food! They will grow stronger now,” she said to herself. “Some of the meat we can dry to last many days.”

      The string of rabbits had grown very heavy on her back when she suddenly realized it was almost dark. She looked about her. The snow had wiped out her trail. She had lost her way.

      The girl turned and walked in what she thought was the direction of her village, but in the darkness and the strangeness of the falling white snow, she became confused. She struggled on until she realized that she was completely lost.

      “It is foolish to go on,” she thought. “I’ll take shelter among the rocks for the night and find my way home in daylight.”

      As she moved along the rocky cliffside, she saw a very small opening that led into a cave. Crawling in cautiously, she found the cave empty. On the floor of the cave were the remains of a fire, a bed of still-glowing ashes. Had another hunter rested here and then left? Delighted with her good luck, she dropped her string of rabbits and hurried to gather twigs and piñon wood from outside. She brought in several armloads to build up the fire for the night ahead.