610 SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS [eth. ann.32 



very thankful to you for this good counsel, and we will try to abide 

 by it. We will pass beyond this point, as we have bound ourselves 

 by a vow to attempt to reach the place where the sun regularly sinks 

 from view — the spot where the sun goes to and fro." Then the 

 stranger said merely, " Do you, then, start on your journey." While 

 they listened to him with bowed heads he \anished, and they did not 

 know nor see whither he Avent. 



When they realized that they were again alone they departed from 

 that place. After traveling a long time, finally they saw before 

 them a very large lake, which barred their progress straight 

 ahead. AVhen they saw that there was apparently no means of cross- 

 ing the lake, Dehaenhyowens, the leader of the band, said, " What 

 should we do to pass over this lake?" Thereupon one of the band, 

 who seldom uttered a word, said: "We have made an agreement 

 bound with a vow that no matter what the circumstances or the 

 obstacles might be^ we would nevertheless pass through them as 

 we have done in the past. Now the time has indeed come for us to 

 fulfill our agreement." Dehaenhyowens answered, " It is indeed even 

 as you have stated it. Come, then, it is thou who must take the 

 lead." 



Then the man addressed started ahead, going out alone on the 

 surface of the lake. Thither did he go unflinchingly. Thereupon 

 in turn each of the others started in his wake, and crossed the lake 

 safely. 



When they reached dry land on the farther shore, they stood still, 

 looking around and examining the new counti-y. They were sur- 

 prised to see that the visible sky rose and fell at regular intervals.''^" 

 As they conjectured, it I'ose to the height of the tallest pine tree 

 known to them, and they saw, too, that the place from which it re- 

 bounded was so smooth that it glistened. AVhile they watched the 

 rising and falling of the sky they saw a large number of pigeons, 

 which flew out from the other side of the sky, and after flying around 

 returned whence they had come. 



Then Dehaenhyowens, the leader of the band, said: " What manner 

 of thing shall we now do? To be sure, here seems to be indeed the 

 end of the earth. It is evident, of course, that there is another coun- 

 try beyond this sky barrier which is thus continually rising and 

 falling." Again that member of the band who was never in the 

 .haliit of speaking much said, " You are of course well aware of the 

 nature of the agreement by which we bound ourselves together before 

 we started away from home; moreover, you know that those of us 

 Vidio are still alive number only five. The opportunity now presents 

 itself for us to do that on which we all agreed ; its fulfilment is now 

 demanded of us; it is for us to act in accordance with our agreement." 



