Then lifting it on their shoulders, they bore it lightly, singing loudly as they went, to the shores of the deep black lake, where gleamed from the middle the lights of the dead. Uprose at this point, the Sálamopia Tém‘hlanahna or of all the six regions, led by the leader of them all and taking K‘yäk´lu on their shoulders, they in turn bore him out over the water to the magic ladder of rushes and canes which reared itself high out of the water; and K‘yäk´lu, scattering sacred prayer-meal before him, stepped down the way, slowly, like a blind man, descending a skyhole. No sooner had he taken four steps than the ladder lowered into the deep; and lo! his light was instant darkened. But when the Sálamopia of the regions entered the central sitting place of the Kâ´kâ with K‘yäk´lu, Shúlawitsi lifted his brand on high and swinging it, lighted the fires anew, so that K‘yäk´lu saw again with fulness of sight and so that they shone on all the gods and soul-beings therein assembled, revealing them. Yea, and through the windows and doorways of all the six chambers encircling, and at each portal, the Sálamopia of the region it pertained and led unto took his station. And Páutiwa, and his warriors the bluehorned Saía‘hliawe, and the tall Sháalako-kwe, yea, and all the god-priests of the regions six, those who are told of without omission in the speech of K‘yäk´lu and in other speeches of our ancient talk, bade K‘yäk´lu welcome, saying, "Comest thou, son?" "Yea," he replied. "Verily then," said Páutiwa-- Sit thee down with us, That of much we may tell thee, For far thou hast wandered And changed art become. As a woman with children Is loved for her power Of keeping unbroken The life-line of kinsfolk, So shalt thou, tireless hearer, Of all sounds with meaning, Be cherished amongst us And worshipped of mortals For keeping unbroken The Tale of Creation, Yea, all we shall tell thee Of past days and future. So said Páutiwa, cloud-sender and sun-priest of souls, and his brothers younger of the regions all, joined in so saying. Then K‘yäk´lu sat him down and bowed his head, and calling to the Duck, who had guided him, stretched forth his hand and upon it she settled, as upon a wave-crest or a wood bough. THE COUNCIL OF THE K´KÂ, AND THE INSTRUCTION OF K‘YÄK´LU BY THE GODS. The gods sent forth their runners, the Sálamopia and the timid, fleet-footed Héhea, to summon all beings, and then, gathering themselves in a sacred song-circle, called in from the several chambers dancers in semblance of the Kâ´kokshi, or Dance of Good. And with these came, behold! the little ones who had sunk beneath the waters, well and beautiful and all seeming wonderfully clad in cotton mantles and precious neck jewels. And these played, sad only with the sadness of their mothers, but resting therefrom when in dreams, above, these rested.