Now at last never more did the world rumble; yet the fathers of the
people questioned in their hearts, fearing further misfortune to their
children, if so be they still erred in the resting place of the sacred
mysteries whatsoever. So, when the sun had reached the middle between
winter and summer, they devised an ordinance and custom whereby this
might be tested. They brought out the things of lightning and the
earthquake; even the keepers of the great navel-shell were summoned as
having canny and magic skill. And as now we do in observing the custom
of the Middle-arriving, all the people fasting, all the fires close
kept, so then, for ten days they made ready, and on the last night the
shell was laid by the sacred fire in Héin Kíwitsina of the North, and
watched all the night through, by its keepers and the fathers foremost,
and the Priests of the Bow. Meanwhile the incantations of dread
meaning, taught of the Twain in Hán‘hlipiŋk‘ya, were chanted, yet the
world only rumbled deeply and afar down, but it trembled not, neither
did the Seven Fell Ones breathe destruction--only storms. Then, said
the fathers, "O, thanks! In peace-expecting mood may we kindle afresh
the fires of our hearths for the year that is dawning." And they sent
forth new fire to all houses, causing the old to be cast out as is seen
and known to us all in the custom of this day of the Middle-arriving!
So, happily abode the people, they and their brothers round about them
at the Middle, for surely now the sacred things were resting over the
stable middle of the world, and were the foundations of Hálona Ítiwana
or the Midmost place of Favor (or fortune).