91.The Grisly Bear who stole a Woman.
(cont.)When they had disappeared, he went home and put new sinew on the tip of his bow. He also made new arrows, and arrow-heads strong and sharp. He said nothing to the people, but returned to the same place in mountains, and before very long heard his wife singing. When she had seen him, he hid himself in some bushes. She came along, digging a root and there, and passed close to where he was concealed, singing, "It is foolishness to attack the Grisly Bear. You must not throw your life away.' The bear followed a short distance behind her. He had his face and head painted red.
When he came opposite where the man lay, the latter fired an arrow with great force, sending it right through the bear's body. In quick succession he shot his other arrows until the bear was dead. Now his wife joined him, She said, "Yesterday the Bear had a presentiment of his death. He sang a death-song all night, and this morning put dry red paint on his head 'and He said, -If hunters sing my song when I die, and pity me when I am slaughtered, I shall be contended." Now the woman taught her husband Grisly Bear's song, and they sang it over the body. They went home surprised the people. Thus the Grisly Bear's death-song became known, afterwards hunters always sang it when they killed a grisly bear. It soothes the bear and pacifies him, so that he does not seek revenge. Some
hunters also paint their heads and faces when they sing the Grisly Bear song.92. The Sons who sought their Mother.1
The mother of four young men died, but they did not know what had come of her. They searched for her all over the earth, - north, south, and west, - but could not find her. Now they prepared to visit the other world to find if she was there. They played on their magic flutes, commenced to go upward, as if they had wings. When they reached
upper world, they saw a large village, where the people were singing,
dancing, and beating drums in the middle of the houses. The. village was in a circle, with a large open space in the centre. The chief met them they drew near, and asked them why they had come. They answered, "We are looking for our mother." He said, "Your mother is here; but you can not see her, because you have not died. You must leave on earth your outer part, or bodies.' The brothers all returned to earth and committed suicide. Thus they ascended again to the sky, and lived with their mother and the spirit people of the upper world.1 Compare with Traditions of the Thompson River Indians, xxxiii.
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