Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
The young man divested himself of all his clothing, and began to climb. While he was climbing up, the Coyote caused the tree to grow, so that after a while NLi'ksEntEm43(for such was his name) said, "I cannot reach it. It is higher than I thought. I will descend again." But the Coyote encouraged him, saying, "You will soon reach it. With my help you are sure to do so. Keep on climbing!" So the young man renewed his efforts. After climbing a long time, he saw that he was not much nearer the top than before. When he found himself at a great distance from the earth, he became afraid to descend, and concluded that it was best to continue his ascent. At last the tree touched the sky, and ceased to grow. NLi'ksEntEm, who had kept on climbing, now gained the top, and put forth his hand to seize the eagle's nest; but when he touched it, it turned into excrement. He then perceived that he had been deceived by his father, and cursed him for a dog. He noticed, moreover, that he was now in a new world -- "the upper world,"44 or " sky country."
He did not know where to go, and started to walk at random. The country seemed to be a vast plain (in reality it was a plateau), reaching as far as he could see, nor were there trees in sight. There was a steady cold wind blowing, and, being naked, he felt the cold keenly, therefore he continued to walk at a brisk pace. He saw plants which resembled wild potatoes45 of a large size, and, being hungry, he stooped and pulled one out of the ground. He saw with surprise that the wind from the world below rushed through the hole made by pulling out the root. He then knew that these plants were the stars. Thus he traveled, hungry, and tired, and naked, exposed to the keen wind, which blew steadily over the plateau. Presently he saw an underground lodge in the distance, which he eventually reached, and entered. Inside everything looked comfortable and snug. He saw no people, but instead, a row of baskets all around the house. He thought, "I will take one of these baskets. It will do for holding water in my sweat-house." So he took one, and immediately the whole row jumped up and attacked him, bumping him on the head, face, and all over the body, so that he was nearly stunned. He then cried out, "Stop, stop! Do not strike me! I will put back your friend." As soon as he set down the basket, all was quiet, and the baskets resumed their places. He then went out of the house, and on departing, cursed the baskets for treating him thus, saying, "You will be servants to people forever." He then traveled on as before, not knowing in which direction he was going. Before long he saw another underground lodge. He reached it and entered. Everything looked comfortable within. All around the house were spread fine clean mats of exquisite finish.
