cisHiNGj THE 'HLAHEKWE CUSTOM. ' 433 



" Ye have heard," said they iu low-sounding speech, " the comphxiniugs 

 of these chihlreu aud their tales of strange sights and sounds at the 

 grotto under Thunder mountain. Go fijrth, therefore, aud test the truth 

 of all this. If so be ye too hear the music, approach the cavern aud 

 send greeting before ye. It Avere no wonder if ye behold Paiyatuma 

 aud his maidens other seven, and his singers and players of flutes. 

 They will deem ye well arrived, and maychance will deigu to throw the 

 light of their favor upou us and give us help of their custom, thereby 

 adding to the contentment and welfare of our children among men, aud 

 to the completeness of our own observances." 



Then with their hands the Fathers of the House extended their 

 breaths, which breathing, the Priests of the Bow went forth, one fol- 

 lowing the other. 



THE FINDING OF PAIYATUMA, AND HIS CUSTOM OF THE FLUTE. 



When, up the trail of the river, they had some time passed MAtsaki, 

 they heard the sound of a drum and strains of soug now and then echo- 

 ing down from Thunder mountain. Then they kiiew that the sounds 

 came from the Cavern of the Kainbow, and so hastened forward ; and as 

 they neared the entrance, mists enshrouded them, and they knew now 

 also that verily Paiyatuma was there. 'J'heu they called to know if 

 there were gathering within . The singing ceased, and they were bidden 

 to enter and sit. As they did so, Paiyatuma came forward to them 

 and said : 



"Ye come well. I have commanded the singers to cease and the 

 players to draw breath from their flutes, that we might hearken to the 

 messages ye bear, since for naught never stranger visits the place of a 

 stranger." 



"True," replied the two, "our fathers have sent us to seek and greet 

 ye, it having been declared by our children that thy song-sounds aud 

 the customs thereof so far surpass our own, even those of our beloved 

 Maidens, makers of the seed of seeds." 



"Ah, well!" replied he, "thus ever is it with men, children, verily! 

 Athirst ever are they for that which is not or which they have not. 

 Yet it is well that ye come, and it shall be as ye wish. Sit ye yet longer, 

 watch and listen." 



To the left, grouped around a great world-bowl, clad in broidered 

 cotton vestment, were a splendid band of players, long flutes in their 

 hands and the adornments of god-priests on their faces and persons. 

 In their midst, too, was a drummer and also a bearer of the song-staff; 

 aged, they, and dignified with years. 



Paiyatuma scattered a line of pollen on the floor, and folding his 

 arms strode to the rear of the cavern, then turned him about and with 

 straightened mien {tsdmo^hlanishi), advanced again. Following him, lo, 

 and behold! came seven maidens beauteous like to the Maidens of 

 Corn, but taller and fainter of form. Like to them also in costume, yet 

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