cusHiNO] ORIGIN OP PEIESTHOOD OF THE BOW. 421 



On its shoulder the plume- waud of man-folk ; 



The drum-master lifted his sound-hoop, 

 In its circle the symbol of thunder, 



On its handle, the red sign of lightning; 

 Six times did they lift up in sileuce 



The song-statt' and hoop of the drum, 

 Then struck, with the might of their sinews. 



The sound shook the valley with tliuuder 

 And above and below echoed thunder; 



The meal on the drum-head was lifted 

 And danced as a rain-cloud around them. 



Then the water below moved and bubbled, 

 And mists like a cold breath ascended; 



As wind in a vase the song sounded; 

 Black cloud-steps rose up from the quarters 



And darkened the day with their shadows. 

 When the first name was named by the singers, 



The world rocked with earthquake and thunder 

 And the roar of swift storms in the northland. 



Hii'hl'tuuk'ya, with dire eyes and staring — 

 Gleaming yellow as firelight in winter — 



And teeth with rage gnashing, and yellow 

 As sluicks of the corn-plant grown aged — 



Tumbled dowu from the north with his hail-balls, 

 And, mingling with mud the deep water. 



In a voice like the sound of a torrent, 

 Bellowed loud to the Twain and the singers : 



" Why call ye, small worms of the waters 

 And spawn of the earth and four quarters. 

 Ye disturbers of thought, lacking shame ; 

 Why call ye the words of my name?" 

 "Thy feet stay with patience, grandfather; 

 We are small, but we joy in thy fury. 

 Whence we yearn for thy counsel and spirit; 

 For we long to smite foes from the pathways 

 As thou canst the trees from the highlands." 

 " Being so, it is well," said the ancient. 



Lo! the seed-stuff of hail, bound with treasure. 

 Gleamed with ice from the breath of his answer. 



When they named the nest name of the son<T strand. 



Vheponolo rolled from the westland 

 In saud-ljlasts and dust-clouds like mountains. 



And stayed fast their feet with his driftings; 

 And [etc.]. 



When they named the third name of the song strand, 

 Oloma swirled up from the southland 



Like a fire draught, and crackled the pool-rim ; 

 And [etc.]. 



When they named the fourth name of the song strand, 

 TsaCluh'Isanok'iiii shrieking shrilly. 



Shot the mountains and valleys with dawn- frost ; 

 And [etc.]. 



When they named the fifth name of the song strand, 

 Saushiilima streamed from the zenith. 



