Page:The Souvenir of Western Women.djvu/20

14 among those fierce braves who controlled the entrance to the Lake of the Big Medicine, where the black obsidian arrowheads are found. But the chase no. longer had pleasure for him, and he wandered far up the slopes of the Shasta, where the elk and deer abound. From this great height Wi-ma-wi-ta gazed upon the lodges far below, and then suddenly descending, disappeared in the forest, advancing to the east, where springs the great, gushing sawul, the source of the Win-i-mim. There in a little hut dwelt old Win-ni-shu-ya. "Tell me, mother," he. cried, "what can I do to regain the love of Tcul-u-cul? She laughs at me, and the dog Tsileu wanders with her over the snowclad mountain."

"'Tis well; Tcul-u-cul still loves you, but since your brave deeds among the Klamaths, your thoughts are far away, and you long for further peril, to chant your great exploits in the councils of the brave. Tcul-u-cul has noticed your neglect. Why, O Wi-ma-wi-ta, do you not seek for greater glory? Know you not of the great lake, far away and deep down in the mountain top. The way is long and difficult, and but few reach its rocky slopes. If you have the strength and courage to climb down and bathe in its crystal waters, you will acquire great and marvelous wisdom. Tcul-u-cul will look upon you with favor, and none will equal you among your people. The Lalos (children of the Great Spirit) guard the lake, and far in the past one of our own tribe reached it, but not propitiating the spirits, they killed him, and his body was sunk in the depths of the blue waters."

As she spoke the old woman's strength increased. Wi-ma-Avi-ta. listening, caught her energy.

"'Tis well, my mother; to-morrow, while all sleep, will I start upon this journey to the river where the Klamaths dwell. Then will I find the way to the wondrous lake and bathe in the deep water."

While speaking, he noted not the parting of the brush, where Tcul-u-cul was concealed, and who in her fright almost betrayed her presence. Nor was Tsileu visible behind the granite rocks near by, eagerly watching and hearing all that happened.

At dawn the following day, when even the dogs were still, Wi-ma-wi-ta stole quietly away. Close behind him, clad in the raiment of a young brave, followed Tcul-u-cul, and after a short interval, gliding stealthily in the tracks of the others, came Tsileu. Thus they marched for several long and weary days, over the prairies of Shasta and the dreary lava fields of Modoc, until Wi-ma-wi-ta reached the great river of the Klamaths. Then Tcul-u-cul came forth and accosted him.

"Whither goest thou, Wi-ma-wi-ta, and why are you alone in this desolate place?"

"I seek the great lake in the top of the mountain, to bathe in its limpid waters."

"There would I also go and share your perils."