The Popol Vuh

earth. He arose in great wrath, bleeding profusely from a severe wound in the jaw. Hun-Ahpu K'iche': "One Hunter." One of the Hero Twins, often associated with the sun and the use of the blowgun. then threw himself upon Vukub-Cakix, K'iche': "Seven Macaw." A proud, jewel-encrusted bird who pretended to be the sun and moon. who in terrible anger seized the god by the arm and wrenched it from the body. He then proceeded to his dwelling, where he was met and anxiously interrogated by his spouse Chimalmat. K'iche': "Shield-Net." The wife of Vukub-Cakix. Tortured by the pain in his teeth and jaw he, in an access of spite, hung Hun-Ahpu's arm over a blazing fire, and then threw himself down to bemoan his injuries, consoling himself, however, with the idea that he had adequately avenged himself upon the interlopers who had dared to disturb his peace.

But Hun-Ahpu and Xbalanque K'iche': "Jaguar Sun" or "Little Jaguar Deer." The second of the Hero Twins, brother to Hun-Ahpu. were in no mind that he should escape so easily, and the recovery of Hun-Ahpu's arm must be made at all hazards. With this end in view they consulted two venerable beings in whom we readily recognise the father-mother divinities, Xpiyacoc The divine grandfather and master of divination. and Xmucane (4), The divine grandmother, midwife, and protector of the sacred corn. disguised for the nonce as sorcerers. These personages accompanied Hun-Ahpu and Xbalanque to the abode of Vukub-Cakix, whom they found in a state of intense agony. The ancients persuaded him to be operated upon in order to relieve his sufferings, and for his glittering teeth they substituted grains of maize. Next they removed his eyes of emerald, upon which his death speedily followed, as did that of his wife Chimalmat. Hun-Ahpu's arm was