Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
[Nkamtci'nEmux.]
A long time ago the country along the Thompson River east of Lytton34 was inhabited by the Coyote people. The surrounding country to the east and south was also occupied by them; but they were probably more numerous around Spences Bridge, Nkamtci'n, and the immediate neighborhood35 than any other place. The chief of these people was the Old Coyote. He was great in magic. No person could vanquish him or kill him; and it is said that he could never die. Although magically so powerful, yet he was often made a dupe of by other people. He was always trying to do things beyond his power, and to imitate others, and generally failed in such attempts. Although he sometimes proved himself to be very simple, and easily taken in, yet, on the whole, he was wise, crafty, cunning, selfish, and deceitful. He traveled around the country a great deal from place to place. He had many wives, most of whom he obtained by trickery, or in some unusual manner. He used to dress in alkali grass.36
[Nkamtci'nEmux and NLak·apamux'o'e.]
There was once a great flood which covered the whole country excepting the tops of some of the highest mountains. It was probably caused by the Qoa'qLqaL, who had great power over water. All the people were drowned except the Coyote, who turned himself into a piece of wood; and three men,37 who went into a canoe, and reached the Nzûkê'ski Mountains, but who, with their canoe, were afterwards transformed into stone, and may be seen sitting there at the present day. When the waters subsided, the Coyote, in the shape of a piece of wood, was left high and dry. He then resumed his natural form, and looked around. He found that he was in the Thompson River country.38 He took trees for wives, and the Indians are said to be his descendants. Before the flood there were no lakes or streams in the mountains, and consequently no fish. When the water receded, it left lakes in the hollows of the mountains, and streams began to run from them. That is the reason that we now find lakes in the mountains, and fish in them.
