Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
Now there was a young woman amongst the Okanagan who had refused all offers of marriage made to her; and the Badger said to his brother, "Go and visit the girl tonight. Perhaps you may win her affections." So the Skunk went, and stealthily crawled into the house where the girl lived. When he came up to her side, she grew angry and struck him, calling him popomu'L,277 and ridiculed his manner and gait. He was insulted at this treatment, and hastily beat a retreat, feeling crestfallen, as in his heart he really loved the girl. He went and told his brother the result of his visit, whereupon the Badger replied, "Since you have been unsuccessful, I will go and see what I can do. He also crept unperceived to where the girl was lying, and, before she was aware of it, he stole away her breath, drawing it down his throat, and keeping it in his stomach.278 Then he hastily retired, and awaited events. In the morning the people found their daughter dead. There was great commotion amongst them, and on the following day the girl was buried in the graveyard. During the following night the brothers went and dug up the body of the girl, tied it on their horse, and started for home with it. When they arrived at their house, they laid down the body inside. Then the Badger said to his brother, "use the art of a shaman, and if you bring her to life again, she shall be your wife." So the Skunk commenced his incantations, and continued almost all night, but had to give it up in despair. The Badger then taunted him, saying, "I see you are no shaman. Watch me, I will bring her back to life." He commenced his incantations, took her breath from his stomach, and blew it into her mouth.279 This done, the girl sat up, and looked around, saying, "I must have been in a dream. Where do I find myself?" The Badger then told her, "You were dead and buried. My brother and I dug you up, carried you to our house, and now I have brought you to life again, in order that you may become my wife." He then gave her food, and she ate. The Skunk became angry and jealous of his brother, for he loved the woman; therefore he neither arose, nor ate for four days; and his brother said to him, "I am lonely. You do not talk to me. I have got the woman for my wife; I will give you the roan horse to be your sole property." This gratified the Skunk, who afterwards treated his brother as usual. The woman stayed with the Badger, and bore him two children.
At length she became desirous of seeing her people again. After obtaining the Badger's consent, she started for her own country, taking her two children with her. When she approached the village, she sat down a short distance from her parents' house, where she saw her younger sister, and called to her, saying, "Do you not know me?" Her sister answered, "No." She then said, "Why I am your sister." Then the younger sister ran into the house and told her mother. But her mother wept and said, "Why do you bring back the memory of your sister in such a manner? Don't you know that she has been dead and buried all these many years?" The daughter, however, persisted; and at last the mother went out, and, recognizing the young woman, took her into the house. When she had heard her story, messengers were sent out to the people to come and see the girl who had been dead. They flocked to the place, both to see the woman and to hear her story. After a few months, she returned to her husband in Nicola.
XXXIV. STORY OF THE LAD WHO CAUGHT THE WIND.
[Nkamtci'nemux]
Long ago the Wind did much damage, blowing violently over the country of the Indian. Moreover, it often killed many people and destroyed much property. At that time there was an Indian man who lived near Spences Bridge, and who had three sons. The youngest was very ambitious, and fond of trying to do wonderful things. One day he said to his father and brothers, "I will snare the Wind;" but they laughed at him, saying, "How can you do that? The Wind is unseen." However, he went out and set a snare. He did not succeed for several nights, as his noose was too large. He made it smaller every night, and, on visiting his snare one morning, found he had caught the Wind.280 After great difficulty, he succeeded at last in getting it into his blanket, and made for home with it, where he put it down. He told his people that he had at last captured the Wind. They laughed at him. Then, to verify his statements, he opened one corner of the blanket, and immediately it began to blow fiercely, and the lodge itself was almost blown over. The people cried to him to stay the force of the Wind, which he did by again tying up the corner of the blanket. At last he released the Wind on the condition that he would never blow strongly enough to hurt people in the Indian country again, which promise he has kept. After this the lad dreamed that there was a mighty chief possessed of great riches, who lived in a large high house away to the south, and had a beautiful daughter who should become his wife. He made up his mind to go to this man and try to marry his daughter. He started out, taking his bow and arrows. After travelling a long distance, he wore out all his moccasins and became footsore. At this moment he saw a Coyote on the hillside, and would have shot him if he had not cried out, "I am your friend, and I will show you to the house of the great chief." The Coyote asked him to sit on his back. The lad obeyed. Then the Coyote said, "I cant go only slowly now, but shall go faster after a while."
