Yet soon again the world rumbled, and again they led the way into a country and place called Támëlan K‘yaíyawan (Where tree boles stand in the midst of the waters). There the people abode for long, saying (poor people!) "This is the Middle!" Therefore they built homes. At times they met people who had gone before, thus learning much of ways in war, for in the fierceness that had entered their hearts with fear, they deemed it not well, neither liked they to look upon strangers peacefully. And many strange things also were learned and happened there, that are told in other speeches of the ancient talk. Having fought and grown strong, lo! when at last the earth groaned and the conches sounded warning, and the Twain bade them forth, forsooth! they murmured much, and many (foredoomed!), turned headstrong and were left to perish miserably in their own houses as do rats in falling trees, or flies in forbidden food! THE MEETING OF THE PEOPLE OF DEW, AND THE FOURTH TARRYING. But the greater company went obediently forward, until at last they neared Shípololon K‘yaía (Steam mist in the midst of the waters). Behold! they saw as they journeyed, the smoke of men's hearth-fires and a great assemblage of houses scattered over the hills before them! And when they came closer they met dwellers in those places, nor looked peacefully upon them--having erstwhile in their last standing-place, had touch of war--but challenged them rudely, to know, forsooth, who they were and why there. THE GENERATION OF THE SEED OF SEEDS, OR THE ORIGIN OF CORN. "We are the People of Seed," said these strangers, replying to our fathers of old, "born elder brothers of ye, and led of the gods!" "Nay," contended our fathers, "verily, we are led of the gods and of us are the Seed people and the substance of seed whereof our wise elders carry the potencies." Whereupon they grew yet more angry, so dark were they of understanding! The people who called themselves "Of the Seed"--who were none others than the "Drinkers of the Dew of Grasses"--bade them pause. "Behold!" said they, "we have powers above yours, yet without your aid we can not exert them; even as the mothers of men may not be fertile save of the fathers. Ye are our younger brothers, for verily so are _your_ People of Seed, and more precious than they know, are they and their sacred keepings, ye--unwittingly, alack!--so boast of; even as we are more wise than ye are and in ourselves quickening withal, for ye are, like virgins, unthinking, yet fertile. Now go to! Let us look peacefully upon one another. Do ye, therefore, try first your powers with the sacred things ye carry according as ye have been instructed or may best devise; then will we according to our knowledge of these things and our own practices try our powers with them also, showing forth our customs unto you."