Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
XXXVII. THE MAN WHO STOLE THE HORSE.
[ Nkamtci’nemux and Cawa’xamux]
Once upon a time there lived an Indian who was noted for his great "medicine." One day, while on a journey to a distant part of the country, he happened to see a horse belonging to another man, and taking a fancy to the animal, stole it, and made for home. The owner soon discovered the theft, and, saddling his horse, started in pursuit. He had almost overtaken the thief, when the latter, who saw him coming, had recourse to his magic, and caused a large river to flow between him and his pursuer. After a little difficulty the man crossed the river and followed in pursuit, as before he had again almost overtaken the fugitive, when he was stopped by an immense tract of mud which stretched between them. This obstacle was surmounted after some delay, and the chase continued. Presently the thief conjured up an almost impassable tract of country, full of thick timber, and broken up with rocks; but this obstacle the pursuer also soon overcame, and at length began to gain on his fleeing enemy, who said to himself, "I will cause yet another obstacle to divide us, and, if he surmounts that, I will leave his horse to reward him for his trouble and perseverance." So he caused a field of smooth ice to lie between them. This his pursuer tried to cross, but, finding it too slippery, he sat down and cried, and then arose and went home, with the full determination to be avenged on his enemy. He told his wife not to be alarmed if he stayed away a long time, because he was going to strengthen his "medicine." He also told her to make plenty of moccasins for him, because when he came back he would start on a long and tough journey. Then he went up the mountains, where he spent ten months in training, dreaming, sweat-bathing, fasting, purifying, and praying. At the end of this time he returned home, reduced in flesh and weak. He told his wife that he had dreamed of a canoe and of water. After a few days spent in recruiting his strength, he created a lake which stretched from himself to the village of his enemy. Then he caused a canoe to appear, and painted the prow a bright red. In the latter he embarked, but, before leaving, told his wife that he would stay away for ten days, during which time she must fast and purify herself. On the fifth day after his departure he neared the village of his enemy, and the people, seeing him coming, ran and told the thief, "A canoe approaches. Its prow is like fire." But he answered, "I already know all about it. That is the man coming for his horse." On reaching the shore the man jumped out, and, going up to the people of the village, asked them where his horse was. They pointed to a large loon away out on the lake, saying, "That is your horse," for his enemy had changed the horse into a loon. The Indian did not believe what the people told him until he heard the loon neigh. Then he took his canoe and gave chase over the water. In the mean time his wife had done as he had told her, and had become so strong in magic that she far surpassed her husband. At last she said to herself, "I am tired of that fellow. I will have another husband." So she changed him and the canoe into a fish, and, having taken a fancy to pretty little Teal Duck, she changed it into a man, who became her husband.
XXXVIII. THE BROTHERS.288
Two brothers, when boys, started out and traveled until they were full-grown men. Now a haxa', who was also a cannibal, lived on a hill across a large river. The light from his house could be seen over all the world. It was the house that the boys reached and entered. The wife said to them, "My husband will soon be home, and will eat you." But they replied, "We are not afraid." Presently the Cannibal came home carrying a man (for he ate Indians), and his wife said to him, "Do not eat those boys just now ! I will feed them up, and when they are fat you shall kill and eat them." The haxa' had several children, with whom the boys played for a time. After a while, the Cannibal made up his mind to kill the boys on the morrow. But they already knew of his intentions, and when he retired to rest they induced his children to change bed places with them, after every one had fallen asleep. Then they arose and stole his magic staff. Reaching the river, where they threw it down, it formed a bridge, and they crossed on it. Early in the morning the haxa’ arose and killed his own children by mistake. Then he gave chase, but could not cross the river without his staff. The boys then went to a white man's town and worked for wages. They worked for saloon-keepers. The elder brother squandered all his money for drink, but the younger one saved his. The chief ofthe town, hearing; that they had stolen the Cannibal's staff, asked them to go and steal the light from the Cannibal's house, which the younger one volunteered to do. He reached there, and, unperceived, put a large quantity of salt into the Cannibal's kettle amongst the human flesh. The Cannibal was surprised at the fine taste, so he and his wife finished the mess and licked the kettle, trying to get more salt. Thus they became thirsty, and, upon their going to the river to drink, the lad stole the light, putting it on his head and running away with it.
