The Earth people wanted to make war on the Sky people. Grizzly Bear was their chief, and he called all the warriors together. They were told to shoot in turn at the moon (or sky). All did as directed, but their arrows fell short. Only Wren had not shot his arrow. Coyote said, "He need not shoot. He is too small, and his bow and arrows are too weak." However, Grizzly Bear declared that Wren must have his turn. Wren shot his arrow, and it hit the moon (or sky) and stuck fast. Then the others shot their arrows, which stuck each in the nock of the preceding one, until they had made a chain reaching from the sky to the ground. Then all the people climbed up, Grizzly-Bear going last. He was very heavy; and when he was up more than half way, the chain broke by his weight. He made a spring, and caught the part of the chain above him; and this caused the arrows to pull out at the top, where the leading warriors had made a hole to enter the sky. The whole chain fell down, and left the people without means of descending. The Earth people attacked the Sky people (i.e., the Stars), and defeated them in the first battle; but the latter soon gathered in such numbers that they far outnumbered the Earth people, and in the next battle routed them, killing a great many.2 The defeated Earth people ran for the ladder, many being overtaken and killed on the way. When they found the ladder broken, each prepared himself the best way he could, so as not to fall too heavily, and one after another jumped down. Flying-Squirrel was wearing a small robe, which he spread out like wings when he jumped: therefore he has something like wings now. He came down without hurting himself. Whitefish looked down the hole before jumping. When he saw the great depth, he puckered up his mouth and drew back: therefore he has a small puckered mouth at the present day. Sucker jumped down without first preparing himself, and his bones were broken: therefore the sucker's bones are found in all parts of its flesh now.
VI. COEUR D'ALENE TALES, BY JAMES A. TEIT.
A LONG time ago conditions on the earth were different from what they are now, and people had a hard time to live. There was much wind and heat, and little rain or snow. It was very dry. Some say thunder was frequent, and lightning killed many people. Many monsters lived on earth and killed people. Gradually these conditions were changed by Coyote and others, who made many transformations beneficial to the people. Coyote also introduced the salmon, made fishing places, and taught the people many arts. Giants and dwarfs of several kinds inhabited some parts of the country, particularly mountains and forests. Coyote did not transform all of them, and some are said to exist at the present day. In the same way some "mysteries" -- both land and water beings -- continue to exist. Even many beings that Coyote transformed had not all their evil powers taken from them, and they sometimes harm people at the present day.
Other informants stated that they had heard many stories of giants, dwarfs, and land and water mysteries. One of the last was called "The Water-Buffalo." They had heard some stories of Old-One,3 a great many Coyote stories, the Arrow-Chain story,4 the Snake-Lover story,5 two stories of the origin of death, a Fox story, an Eagle story, some Star stories, a Sun and Moon story, an Elk story, a Coyote and Wolf story, etc. They had forgotten all of these, and could tell none of them properly or in detail. Stories similar to the following Thompson tales they did not remember having heard: Kokwe'la story,6 Great Deluge story, Great Fire story, Origin of Fire story,7 story of visiting a country underneath the earth, story of the origin of daylight and darkness, story of stars coming down and marrying women,8 Sun coming down and obtaining a bright-colored blanket.9 Perhaps some very old people might know some of these stories.
Spoxani’tcelt was a chief and a great man. He often appeared in the shape of a old man, and helped the people. He travelled about, visited the people, and learned what they did. When he saw that they did not know how to act, he taught them. He did many good, helpful, and kind things, and never fooled people, like Coyote. He was like Christ of the whites, because he did many wonderful things, and always spoke good and did good. At last he ascended to the sky, and was transformed into the moon.
1 BBAE 59 : 288 (note I).
2 At that time there were a number of different animals on earth that are not here now; but they were killed in this war, and transformed into stars. Had they all come back to earth, there would be many more kinds her now. Those we have now represent only the survivors of the war.
3 JE 8 : 320.
4 JE 8 : 246.
5 JE 8 : 372.
6 JE 8 : 319.
7 JE 8 : 229.
8 BBAE 59 : 309 (note 2).
9 JE 8 : 230.
10 RBAE 31 : 617. See p. 80.
