310 TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY [eth. ANN. 31 



there is only one village more before you reach there, but it takes a 

 month to go from here to that village." 



They went on again, and at the end of the following month they 

 arrived at the last village. The prince put on his sparrow garment 

 and began to sing, seated on top of the chief's house. The old chief 

 said, "Come down to me, supernatural one! I will give you advice 

 as to how to obtain the life arrow. You might perish between here 

 and Chief Gutginsa"s village." 



So the prince went in and sat down on one side of the large house. 

 The chief asked him, "Where are your companions?" and the young 

 man replied that they were in hiding behind the village. Then the 

 chief ordered his attendants to bring them to the house, and they 

 went to call them. The chief ordered his men to give food to the 

 guests, and they did so. 



After they had eaten, the chief said, "My dear prince, I have seen 

 how patient you have been all along the way you came. I know you 

 have met with many difficulties, and still you kept on going. Now, 

 there is no other village besides tliis, and no land. This is the one 

 corner of heaven, and there is only the air beyond. Therefore 

 no living being can reach there, where Chief Gutginsa"s house is. 

 Therefore let your young men remain here in my house, and I will 

 go with you. Wear your sparrow garment, and I shall put on my 

 hummingbird garment. Then we will fly to the air island where 

 Chief Gutginsa' lives, and we will borrow his life arrow until the time 

 when your enemy shall have been destroyed. Then he shall take it 

 back again. I received all your burn1>offerings that you made along 

 the way." 



The prince decided to follow his advice, and the chief also told 

 his companions to continue their offerings While they were away. 

 He said, "We shall be back tomorrow evening." 



The next morning they started. Chief Hummingbird flew first, 

 and the Sparrow behind him. They flew upward under the clouds; 

 and when they saw the air island before them, it seemed as large as 

 a man's finger. They came nearer, and arrived there at the same 

 time. Then the two birds flew into the house of Chief Gutginsa'. 



Now Chief Hummingbird said, "My dear, great chief! will you lend 

 us your five, destroying arrow until this my brother has taken revenge 

 on the enemies of his relatives ? Then you shall take it back again." 

 Chief Gutginsa' gave his destroying arrow to Chief Hummingbird. 

 They flew back, and it was late in the evening when they came home 

 safely, while the prince's companions were still making burnt- 

 offerings. 



Chief Hummingbird said, "Keep this arrow in good order, and let 

 nobody see it, lest the arrow should kill some one; but if you want to 



