Angling in a Crater 37 



into a lake and far north could be seen the prairies 

 of the Klamaths. Towards the east was a succes- 

 sion of rolling hills with scanty vegetation and 

 clear cut in the rarefied atmosphere. On the west 

 high mountains rose up precipitously, while every 

 now and then a snow-clad peak towered up against 

 the sky, far above its fellows. " 'T is there," said 

 Wimawita, " where we must seek for the deep moun- 

 tain lake." At last, after many weary days, they 

 reached the lake and made camp upon the edge of 

 the precipice. All night Wimawita chanted his song 

 and early, when the sun was just lighting up the 

 circular wall on the opposite side of the lake, fully 

 seven miles away, he clambered down the steep and 

 rocky walls and plunged into the deep, clear water. 

 His spirit seemed to soar from him; but it required 

 all his strength to climb back to the rim of the 

 crater. Again the next day he attempted the same 

 difficult feat, and on returning said : " Once more 

 only, Tculucul, will I have to bathe in the crystal 

 water. Then wisdom and strength will be mine, our 

 tribe will be the grandest in the land, and you the 

 greatest squaw among us. Thus will your faith and 

 help to me be rewarded." 



On the third morning he started. Just as he 

 reached the last descent, near the water's edge, he 

 beheld Tsileu. "Dog of Wimawita, we will here find 

 who is the greater man. Defend yourself!" he cried. 

 They swayed to and fro on the edge of the cliff, 

 advancing and retreating, where a false step would 

 cause death. Tculucul from the cliff above, power- 

 less to aid, beheld the mighty encounter. Suddenly 



