Yes, they were almost there. Now, the Eagle’s heart was high with hope. When the two gods below reached the center of the plaza they turned to the people and asked: “Where are they? Where have they gone?”
“There they are in the skies—almost there,” replied the people.
“Humph!” responded the gods. “Suppose they are almost there; they shall never reach the home of our father!”
“Now, then, hurry, brother younger!” exclaimed the elder; “with which hand wilt thou draw the arrow?”
“With thy hand, my right,” said the younger.
“Very well; with thy hand, my left,” said the elder.[41]
[41] The twin children of the Sun were, in the days of creation, the benignant guardians of men; but when the world became filled with envy and war, they were changed by the eight gods of the storms into warriors more powerful than all monsters, gods, or men. The elder one was right-handed, the younger, left-handed; hence the form of expression here used. [Back]
So they drew their medicine-pointed arrows to the heads. Tsi-ni-i-i! sang the arrows as they shot through the air. Soon they reached the home of the Sun, crossed one another over his face, and shot downward more swiftly than ever toward the coming Eagle and the maiden. “Alas! my mother, my child,” said the Sun as the arrows flew past him and from him, “thou art no more.” And the arrows shot downward on their course.
Tsook! sang the arrow of the elder god as it pierced the back of the girl and entered her heart. Tso-ko! sang the arrow of the younger as it struck in the middle of her back.
“Alas! my mother, my mother,” cried the Eagle, “it is over, alas, alas!” said he, as she released her hold, and, fainting, he left her to fall through the air. Over and over, this way and that, fell the beautiful maiden; and as the people strained their eyes, nearer and nearer to the town neath the mountain she fell. Soon, over and over, this way and that, she came falling even with the top of the mountain.