Now the Rainbow-worm was near, in that land of mists and waters. And
when he heard the sacred sounds of the shells he listened. "Ha! these
be my grandchildren, and precious be they, for they call one to the
other with shells of the great world-encircling waters," said he;
and so, with one measure of his length, he placed himself nigh them,
saying--
Why mourn ye grandchildren, why mourn ye?
Give me plumes of the spaces, grandchildren,
That related I be to the regions,
That uplifted I be to the cloud-heights,
That my footsteps be countries and countries;
So I bear ye full swift on my shoulders
To the place of thy people and country.
K‘yäk´lu took of his plume-wands the lightest and choicest; and the
Duck gave to him her two strong pinion-feathers that he might pendant
them therewith, making them far reaching and far-seeing. And the
Rainbow arched himself and stooped nigh to them whilst K‘yäk´lu,
breathing on the plumes, approached him and fastened them to his heart
side. And while with bent head, all white and glistening wet, K‘yäk´lu
said the sacred words, not turning to one side nor to the other,
behold! the Rainbow shadow gleamed full brightly on his forehead like a
little rainbow, (even as the great sky itself gleams little in a tiny
dew-drop) and became painted thereon, and _í‘hlimna_.
"Thanks this day!" said the Rainbow. "Mount, now, on my shoulders,
grandson!"
The Rainbow unbent himself lower that K‘yäk´lu might mount; then
he arched himself high amidst the clouds, bearing K‘yäk´lu upward
as in the breath a mote is borne, and the Duck spread her wings in
flight toward the south. Thitherward, like an arrow, the Rainbow-worm
straightened himself forward and followed until his face looked into
the Lake of the Ancients, the mists whereof were to him breath and
substance.
And there in the plain to the north of Kâ´‘hluëlane, K‘yäk´lu descended
even ere the sun was fully entered, and while yet it was light, the
Rainbow betook himself swiftly back.
But alas! K‘yäk´lu was weary and lame. He could not journey farther,
but sat himself down to rest and ponder the way.