Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
221. This man is described as being an Indian and a hunter.
222. Some say that there were four young grizzly bears, and the same number of black bears.
223. Some say a basketful of service-berries, deer-fat, and starchy roots boiled together.
224. This is said to be the name of a man. He is described as being an elderly or old man, and generally employed in making or repairing canoes.
225. Compare Fraser Delta, p. 19; Cathlamet, Comox, p. 81 ; Gatschet. The Klamath Indians, Contr. North American Ethnology, vol. ii. part 1 p. 118 ff. Page 71, § 1. Cathlamet, Fraser Delta, p. 32 ; Comox, p. 81.
226. Also called "The Story of Sîlôlaxi'x·tem."
227. Some say the mountains in the neighborhood of Beta'ni.
228. Diminutive form of the word s'oixi'tem, meaning "some one burned for some one."
229. Some say a few finger-lengths in height.
230. All edible root which grows abundantly in some parts of the mountains, and is much used as food by the Nlaka'pamux and some other tribes.
231. Some, in telling this story, say that there were three Grizzly Bear sisters and three hunters.
232. Some say that she was singing about her brothers having burned the hill side for her, and that when the Grizzly Bears found her they pulled her out of the hole by means of the string which was fastened to her waist, and threatened to kill her if she did not give them all the information they desired.
233. It is a usual custom for hunters to cut up large game in pieces, and then put them inside of the skin, the skin of the hind legs being fastened together and used in place of a packing-strap.
234. There seem to be some details wanting here, and I think that I have formerly heard the latter part of the story given in greater detail, but the Indians I have interviewed on the matter lately cannot give me any further details.
235. Compare page 73, § 1 ; Cathlamet, Tillamook.
236. In Nlaka'pamux mythology the Short-tailed Mouse is generally described as an old woman who lived in the mountains alone, and who was noted for her great magic and unbounded wisdom. She was also a prophetess, and her advice was often sought in great difficulties.
237. The narrator of this story was unable to tell how the country came to be inhabited again, but ventured the suggestion that it was probably occupied afterwards by the Coyote people, who he said, according to some Indians, were the ancestors of the present Nkamtci'nemux and Shuswap. When all the animals were created by the Chief or Old Man, some of these people who were bad were turned into coyotes. The good ones of the Coyote people, being left, multiplied in the country, becoming the ancestors of the present inhabitants. Another Indian said that the land of the Nlak·a'pamux became inhabited by the Old Man at the dispersion, leaving some of the good people there; or some of them wandered and took up their abode there afterwards.
238. This is the name of a small bird which I have been unable to identify with certainty, but think that it is the wren. It is always called stetso', or statso', by the Nkamtci’nemux; but some of the Nlak·apamux'o'e pronounce it Tsa'stso' and ste’stsu’.
