just like those that are not so?" The maiden became somewhat calm, but still, out of shame for what had happened, she refused to eat what Ngílîn offered her. Then he said to her: "In order that thou mayst further assure thyself of what I tell thee, and in order that thou mayst quiet thyself, let us go and consult my elder brother Ambúmabbákal." And so they did. Ambúmabbákal, having been informed of the circumstances, burst out laughing and said to them: "Peradventure have ye not done well and righteously, there not being in existence any others but yourselves to procreate? However, for greater assurance, let us all go together to set forth the case before Muntálog my father." Muntálog, having heard their story, applauded the conduct of the solitary brother and sister. He told them, accordingly, to calm themselves and to rest there for a few days,--and so they did. III The bringing of fire to the Earth World.--On the third day, Kabigát requested leave to return, but Muntálog answered: "Wait one day more, until I in my turn go to my father Mumbónang." Muntálog found his father and mother seated facing each other; and, upon his arrival, his mother, Mumboniag, came forward and asked him: "What news do you bring from those lower regions, and why do you come?" The father also became aware of the presence of his son, through the questioning of the mother, and inquired likewise as to the reason of his coming. Muntálog answered: "I have come, father, to ask thee for fire for some Ifugaos who remain in the house of Ambúmabbákal." "My son," the father replied, "those Ifugaos of yours could not arrive at (or, come to) Mumbónang without danger of being burned to cinders." Then he continued: "It is well! Approach me!" [41] Muntálog accordingly approached Mumbónang, who said to him: "Seize hold of one of those bristles that stand out from my hair," and so Muntálog did, noticing that the said point faced the north, and he placed it in his hand. Then Mumbónang said to him again: "Come nigh! Take this white part, or extremity, of the eye that looks toward the northeast, toward the place called Gonhádan." And he took it and placed it in his hand. And Mumbónang said to him once more: "Come near again, and take the part black as coal, the dirt of my ear which is as the foulness of my ear." And so he did. Then Mumbónang said to Muntálog: "Take these things and bring them to thy son Ambúmabbákal and to Ngílîn, in order that the latter may give them to the Ifugaos." And he said again to Muntálog: "Take this white of my eye (flint), this wax from my ear (tinder), and this bristle or point like steel for striking fire, in order that thou mayst have the wherewith to attain what thou seekest (that is, fire), and to give gradually from hand to hand to the Ifugao; and tell him not to return to