29. Xe'niax
(Lower Uta'mqt.)
(cont.)The men were out hunting, but they had not waited Iona before they heard the Girls coming. Owl was walking ahead crying like an owl, and saying, "Some one sits in our house." We'latck became afraid, and wished to sit down beside her sister; but the latter told her to stay where she was and keep quiet. Owl, entering, sat beside his wife; and Eagle, following, went to his place, and sat down beside Stata'ga. Owl boiled some venison., but it could not be eaten, as he had killed a very poor deer, and the meat was extremely tough. Then Eagle boiled some of his venison, which was very nice and tender, because he had killed a fat deer. Now, Owl's wife took roots from her pack and made soup,' but it was so thin and watery that it was unfit to be eaten. Then Eagle's wife took roots from her pack and also made soup1; and it was very good, because she knew how to cook it properly. Thus the women staid with their husbands for many months. They always fed the dogs, and, when doing so, used to jump over them: so the dogs eventually became quite gentle, and very fond of the women.
After a time both women gave birth to children. Owl's child was a frog, and Eagle's a boy. Now their husbands went hunting, and did not return: so, after two days and two nights had elapsed, their wives became very anxious about them, and prepared to go in search of them. They had been taken by a woman called Xe'niax, who lived in the mountains and stole men. She is described as having no hair at all on her head or on any part of her body. Any men she captured became powerless, weak, and indolent
so they would neither hunt nor work, nor did they have any ambition to help themselves, or desire left to escape.2After making a miniature fawn, bow and arrows, for Eagle's son to play with during their absence, and leaving food and water with him, the women departed, taking the Frog along with them. His mother carried him on her back. At last- they struck the trail of the woman and her prisoners, and followed it up. Owl had plucked the feathers out of his body one by one, and dropped them as they went along for a sign. When he had finished all his feathers, Eagle had done likewise with his, so they followed the track easily. Coming to a lake, they saw the line of eagles' feathers right across so they placed the Frog in the water, and, getting on his back, they crossed over. They followed the feathers until they came to the top of a very steep cliff, where they saw Xe'niax's house. They entered and found it filled with men who were mostly lying down. Those she had captured recently were nearest to her, and the oldest ones farthest away. They were thus in rotation according to time of capture, - those she had captured first being at the far end of the row, and those of recent date nearest to her, - the latest captive having to sleep beside her until she caught the next one. Owl and the Eagle were lying one on each side of her.
1. Nqaux, a sort of thick soup, generally made of roots, berries, and fat, boiled together.
2. It is supposed she captured men by seducing them; and as soon as they had intercourse with her, they became utterly helpless and altogether in her power. losing all their energy; and as long as they were within her spell, they had no desire to leave her.
