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Each annual (measured by the period of twelve full moons) assembly of the Payómkawichum has a different chief, who is picked by agreement among his or her contemporaries. Tuye Utea-Min is the presiding chief this year. The wise leader of a northerly constituent of the Payómkawichum commands even more respect than younger chiefs for his great height, wrinkled face, and bald, graying hair. While presiding at the annual assembly of the leaders of the Payómkawichum, Tuye Utea-Min heard an unusual commotion in the distance. Just then, a lookout came up to Tuye and informed him that the commotion was being caused by an unknown group of people, with unusual garb, who had arrived at the base of Mayanapa. Even for Tuye, who had seen much in his long life, the prospect of people not part of the Payómkawichum existing was so unbelievable that he instantly rushed off to see the visitors with his own eyes.

Several minutes later, panting from exertion, Tuye finally arrived at the bottom of Mayanapa, where the visitors still resided. That was when the apparent head of the visitors’ group greeted him in a booming voice. “Many moons have elapsed since I last spoke with you! My friend, how have you been in that time?” exclaimed the group leader, a large, middle-aged man in more elaborate garb than the rest of his entourage. In his quiet but nonetheless commanding voice, Tuye replied: “Who are you, and what do you seek from the Payómkawichum?” At this, the visitor waved his hands in a protesting manner and explained that he meant no harm, proceeding to identify himself as Walin-Inuhin, once the chief of one constituent tribe among the Payómkawichum. At this, Tuye was astonished, remembering that Walin had disappeared many moons back. Walin then proceeded to introduce the rest of his group to Tuye, who explained that he was deemed the presiding chief of the Payómkawichum for the summit twelve moons after the previous gathering.

Later, as the setting sun beautifully illuminated Mayanapa, the two chiefs, who sat on opposite sides of a pine-hewn table, had launched into a lengthy conversation about all sorts of matters. Walin sought admission for his new tribe, which he claimed had migrated to live beyond the horizon to the south, into the Payómkawichum. Tuye, however, proved skeptical about Walin’s claims. Finally, after much debate, Walin offered Tuye the opportunity to see the land where Walin’s tribe live for himself. At this, Tuye pointed out that Walin’s supposed tribe, if he was telling the truth, lived across a tumultuous ocean that no man, woman, or child could possibly cross. But to Tuye’s astonishment, Walin explained that he knew how to construct implements which he called boats, somewhat akin to the log-hewn canoes Tuye already knew of, that could cross oceans.

Eventually, Walin managed to convince an at first incredulous Tuye, who wished to see Walin’s tribe in person, to allow him to build a boat which Walin could steer across the ocean. In the process, Tuye also wished to learn how for himself, so the rest of the Payómkawichum could utilize the new seafaring capacity. After a few months, the great ship, complete with a wind-harnessing device called a sail, was finished. The proceeding journey to the south was surprisingly smooth, despite turbulent conditions, but Tuye himself wound up being nauseous much of the time. This left Tuye suspicious, until Walin’s boat finally landed on the shores beyond the horizon, whence the chief’s feeling of nausea faded. Tuye proceeded to be astonished by Walin’s new land, with unfamiliar plants and animals to be seen even on the beach where they had landed.