ccsHmo] SEEKERS OF "THE MIDDLE." 399 



ever the inner beginning! So, when it was asked who of the precious 

 ones (children of priest- fathers and priest-mothers) shoukl journey 

 northward, seeking to learn the distance thitherward to the great 

 embracing waters, that the Middle might be the better surmised; nor 

 said the Twain aught, as we say naught, to little children weary of a 

 way that must, weary or nay, be accomplished! When this was 

 asked, Ka'wimosa, the priest, bethought himself of his wise eldest 

 son and said, '-Here is he!" Thus K'yiik'lu was summoned, and made 

 ready with sacritice presentations from all the priests to all the sur- 

 passing-ones for the great journey ; and he departed. 



Long the people waited. But at last it was said, " Lost is our 

 K'yak'lu! For wise of words was he, but not wise of ways!" 



And the fathers, mourning, again called a council. Again, when it 

 was inquired, KiVwimosa the iiriest, bethought liim, and cried, 

 "Here!" and again were made ready duly and sent forth messen- 

 gers, this time southward, the next younger brothers of K'yak'lu 

 (Anahohoiitchi) ; for, said the father, they will guide one another 

 if ye send twain. And of these, also, much is told iu other talks of 

 our ancient speech; but then, they too, lingered by the way. 



Once more a council was called, and again, when it was inquired, 

 Ka'wimosa cried, ''Here!" and this time the youngest son, who was 

 named Siweluhsiwa, because he was a long-haired j'outh of great 

 beauty; and the daughter, who was named Siwiluhsitsa, because 

 she was a long-tressed maiden of beautiful person; they also were 

 summoned and made ready duly and sent eastward. 



THE CHANGE-MAKING SIN OF THE BROTHER AND SISTER 



Far they journeyed, and as the day quickened they saw before them 

 a distant high mountain. 



Let 118 hasten, O, sister, my sister! 

 Thou art weary with travel, my sister; 

 We will rest in the shade of yon mountain. 

 I will build you a bower of cedar, 

 And seek in the clitts for game-i-reatuies; 

 And you shall rest happily, sister. 



Thus spake he, for he loved his sister and her beauty. (Nay, but she 

 was soft and beautiful!) 



And so, they hastened. When they reached the mountain, Siwe- 

 luhsiwa built a bower of cedar branches under the shade of a tree. 

 Then he went forth to seek game. When, having captured some, he 

 returned, his sister was sleeping in the bower; so he stepped softly, 

 that he might not disturb her — for he loved his sister, and gently he 

 sat himself down before her and leaned his chin on his hand to watch 

 her. The wind softly blew to and fro, and she slept on; her white 

 cotton mantle and garments were made light for the journey, and thus 

 the wind played with them as it listed over her prostrate form. As the 



