LA FLESCHE] 



Nl'-KI NON-K'on rite 



223 



88. You ask me to search for a way out of the difhculty. 



89. I shall make search for a way. 



90. Thereupn he pushed forth even against the current of the water. 



91. Walkmg swiftly upon the surface, 



92. He came to a second bend of the current. 



93. He paused at this bentl 



and spake, 



94. Saj^mg: It is not possible, 



O, my grandchildren. 



95. Although it is not possible 



to find a way out of the 

 difficulty, 



96. The little ones shall make 



of me their bodies. 



97. My walk in life is upon the 



surface of the water. 



98. When the little ones make 



of me their bodies, 



99. They shall be free from 



all causes of death as 

 they travel the path of 

 life. 



100. When the little ones make 



of me their bodies, 



101. They shall cause themselves to be difficult to overcome by death. 



102. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



103. They shall enable themselves to live to see old age as they travel 



the path of life. 



104. It is well, the people replied, 



105. What is said here shall stand. 



106. To the Sho'-ka, who stood near, 



Ijii-l ^^!^ X l*^''- "^^^ people spake, saying: O, 

 younger brother. 



108. Then, verily, at that time and 

 place, 



109. The Sho'-ka hastened to the 

 Walker-on-the-water (Water- 

 strider) (fig. 13), to whom he 

 spake, 



no. Saying: O, my grandfather, 



111. It is not possible for the little ones to dwell upon the surface of 



the water. 



112. The people ask you to search for a way out of the difficulty. 



113. The Water-strider replied: You say it is not possible for the 



little ones to dwell upon the surface of the water. 



114. You ask me to search for a way out of the difficulty. 



Fig. 12.— The water spider. (Courtesy of Dr. Wm. E. 

 Saflord.) 



Fig. 13.— The water strider. (Courtesy of 

 Dr. Wm. E. Saflord.) 



