“Whither goest thou, Wimawita, 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.”
“‘Tis well, and I will reward your faith in me.”
Tsileu, inwardly raging, cast a look of hate upon them, and sped northward through the land of the Klamaths.
The next day Wimawita and Tculucul journeyed up the river. They came to a large lake, and after some distance this gradually narrowed to a small but rapid stream. After a course for some distance through a deep ravine, the water again spread out into a lake, and far north could be seen the prairies of the Klamaths. Towards the east was a succession of rolling hills, with scanty vegetation, clear cut in the rarified atmosphere. On the west high mountains rose up precipitously, while here and there a snowclad peak towered in the sky.
“‘Tis there,” said Wimawita, “where we must seek for the deep mountain lake.” At last, after many weary days, they reached the lake and made camp close to the precipice. All night Wimawita chanted’ his song, and when the sun was just lighting up the circular wall across the lake, he clambored down the steep and rocky walls, and plunged into the deep, clear water. His spirit seemed to soar from him: but it required all his strength to climb back to the rim of the crater. Next day he bathed again, and on returning said, “Once more only, Tculucul, will I have to bathe in the crystal water, then wisdom and strength will he mine, our tribe will be the grandest in the land, and you will be the greatest squaw of all. Thus will your faith and help to me be rewarded.”
On the third morning he started, but, just as he reached the last descent, he beheld Tsileu.
“Dog of Wimawita, we will here find who is the greater man.”
Like two great whirlwinds they came together, then struggled on the edge of the cliff, advancing, retreating, swaying far out over the dizzy height, watched by Tculucul from above, powerless to aid. Suddenly Wimawita slipped on the mossy rock, and Tsileu, exerting all his strength, raised and hurled him far out into the lake. Then the Llaos arose in their wrath, tore Tsileu’s body in pieces and cast them on the lake. As they disappeared the waters parted and lava, burst out with a mighty noise. The island of Llao Nous* arose as the gasp of a dying crater, and here it is said dwells the spirit of Wimawita, the brave, and Tculucul, the lark.
*Wizard Island.
*Grizzly bear. ** Shastas.
*Large spring. *McCloud river.
***Forethought. ****The lark. *****Red Flicker.
***previous*** — ***next***
