Vukub-Cakix noticed them alight in the tapal-tree, which he
regarded as his own especial property. They began to pluck
its fruit, and this so irritated him that he was about to attack
them when Hun-Apu discharged a dart from a blowpipe at him,
striking him in the mouth and causing him to topple to the
earth from the tree into which he had climbed. He succeeded,

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INTRODUCTION TO MYTHOLOGY

however, in tearing off Hun-Apu's arm, which he hung over his
fire at home. This use of ' sympathetic magic/ of course, caused
the hero-god great pain, so in order to recover the arm he
begged the assistance of two magicians, probably the father- and
mother-gods. These disguised themselves as physicians, and
pretending that they desired to cure Vukub-Cakix, extracted his
teeth. With the teeth his power departed from him and he
died. The giant's wife had been basting Hun-Apu's arm at
the fire, but seizing it the hero-god gave it to the magicians,
who replaced it upon his shoulder. Zipacna and Cabrakan, who
personified the earthquake, were next reduced. Four hundred
young men (the stars) requested Zipacna to dig the foundations
of a new house for them, intending to bury him alive while
occupied in the task ; but when they had erected their dwelling
above him he reared his mighty bulk beneath it and shot them
into Heaven, where they have since remained. Zipacna, how-
ever, tumbling down a ravine, was killed by Hun-Apu and
Xbalanque by having a mountain thrown upon him. Cabrakan
was next destroyed, partly by poison and partly by overstrain-
ing himself by throwing mountains at the instigation of the
heavenly brothers.
