Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
49. Some Indians say the bark the Spider was using for making rope and thread was that of a plant called ma'muskin, which the Indians use for that purpose, but which is considered much inferior to the spa'tsan-bark.
50. The Nkamtci'nemux say that Nli'ksentem, when he went to the upper world, was ignorant; but when he returned he was skilled and wise, for his grandfather the Spider advised him to train himself, and instructed him in all manner of magic; and thus he became possessed of the power and knowledge for which he was afterwards distinguished.
51. The full version of this passage is as follows: Canis occasione oblata, sub vestimenta mulierum pudenda suspexit.
52. Beta'ni is the name of a valley situated in the mountains about fourteen miles north of Lytton, and nine or ten miles west southwest of Spences Bridge. It is famous as a great root-digging and hunting resort, and formerly used to be a summer gathering-place for all the upper divisions of the tribe.
53. Sluq, a round or trunk-shaped basket with a lid.
54. The Nlak·apamux'o'e generally say the meadow-larks.
55. Some Indians say the Spider also tied a large knife to the basket.
56. Many of the Nkamtci'nemux say that he opened his eyes several times, and each time he did so he went up again; consequently it was only after a long time, and with much difficulty, that the Spider succeeded in landing him safely on the earth. They also say that the Spider lifted up the fire-stone of his underground lodge, which left an aperture, through which he lowered the basket with Nli'ksentem; also that through this hole the people at Lytton could be seen playing ball underneath, and appearing in the distance to be as small as flies.
57. Some of the Nkamtci'nemux say that the space on which he rolled himself was turned into this stone to mark the spot, for the Spider said that the place where Nli'ksentem should first touch the ground would be the centre of the earth (or of the Indian's country). The Nlaka'pamux hold this stone sacred, and at the present day keep it covered over with earth, so that the whites may not see it.
58. Beta'ni Lake, at the headwaters of Lower Beta'ni Creek, a favorite camping place of the Nlak·apamux'o'e. Lower Beta'ni Creek falls into Thompson River about one mile east of Lytton.
59. Skilki'lex or Upper Beta'ni Creek, which flow's through the Upper Beta'ni valley, and falls into Thompson River about three miles and a half west of Spences Bridge.
60. Some Indians say he turned himself into various animals in his attempt to save himself, before he look the shape of a piece of board.
6I. Some say three old women, others four, and that they were sisters, and great in "mystery."
62. Similar to those used by the Lower Fraser or Coast Indians.
63. Called kolei'exkin by the Indians. Some Indians say that this box also contained bluebottle or blow flies.
64. Kakulx·u', the name given to a small variety of kimkamu't, -a variety of beetle with a gray head, sometimes called meat-bugs by the whites.
65. The Indians aver that the opening of the boxes was the cause of the first appearance of the smoke wasps, salmon flies, blow flies, and meat-beetles, and that is the reason that these insects accompany the salmon at the present day. They begin to increase in numbers as soon as the salmon commence to run. All these insects, they claim, were unknown to the Indians before the Coyote introduced the salmon.
