Note 34 — 2

Not long after they arrived at the spring of Algaba of Dagála, and the people who dipped water from the spring were there. “You people who are dipping water from the spring, where is a shallow place where we can cross?” “Where is the shallow place where we can cross you say, rich men, perhaps you are enemies,” said the women who were dipping water. “If we are enemies we would kill you,” said Dalonágan. “You see the shallow place where the people cross,” said the people Page 43who were dipping water from the well. Not long after they spread their belt on the water and they rode across. When they arrived on the other side of the river they took a bath. As soon as they finished bathing they went on top of a high stone and dried their bodies. The water which dropped from their bodies became agates which have no holes through them, and the women who were dipping water saw the agates which dropped from their bodies and they touched each other and said, “Look at that.” When they put their clouts on they asked the women, “Where is the road to the house of Algaba of Dagála?” “You follow the sagang;34 they lead to his house and his balaua,” said the women who were dipping water from the well. “Will one of you guide us to the house of our cousin Algaba?” they said. “No, because no one comes to get water unless all are together,” said the women. Not long after Dalonágan and his companion went up to the town and the defensive fence, which was made of boa constrictors, did not notice them for the snakes slept. Not long after they arrived at the balaua. “Wes,” they said, and the old woman alan35 came to look at them through the window. “How are you?” she said. “Do not go to the balaua, because Algaba can see you,” said the alan.