Traditions of the Thompson River Indians (cont.)
239. Some say that the Crow and the Magpie were the thieves.240. Some say he pulled out the tail-feathers in the struggle, and while falling.
241. Some add that these old men lived in the Shuswap country, a little north of Cache Creek, which falls into the Buonaparte River about seven miles from the mouth of that river. The neighboring mountains are celebrated for the large quantity of arrowstones to be found there.
242. Some Indians further add that the old men said, " If you had asked for arrowstone, we should gladly have given you some. You did not need to set us quarrelling."
243. Some claim that he was the only person who knew how to flake and chip arrowstone.
244. Most Indians say that the Raven distributed the chipped arrowstone, whilst others claim that it was Stetso' who distributed them.
245. Compare page 75, The Theft of Provisions: Comox, p. 78; Kwakiutl, P. 1,19; Nahwitti, p. 189; Heiltsuk, p. 237; Bilxula, pp. 254, 256; Ponca, p. 216. Page 75, Making Bow and Arrow: Okanagon. Page 76, Making of Arrow-Heads: Tillamook, Kalapooya.
246. Some also add that the birds and quadrupeds accompanied them.
247. Some say from Lytton and Fraser River below and above Lytton.
248. Semaê'sul, pi'sul, s'lê'kasu'l, tsô'Lla, varieties of trout. The latter grow to a very large size, sometimes weighing forty pounds, and are delicious eating. Pî’sul is, I think, the ordinary lake trout. I do not know the proper English names of any of these fish.
249. A small gray bird, of which I do not know the English name. It is plentiful in the timbered parts of the Nlaka'pamux country; and the Indians interpret its song as meaning, "Nax'lênt câ'tca."
250. Some Indians say that the sister used to go out hunting with him, and as soon as he would shoot a deer she used to run up and commence to eat it. He warned her against doing this, but she persisted, and for this reason he got angry at her.
251. Some say that she did not transform herself, but was afterwards changed into the kaqwa'.
252. I think, the American golden plover. This bird was formerly very abundant in the Upper Nlak·a'pamux country, but is now very scarce.
253. The Indians believe that there is an underworld (situated below the earth), which is inhabited by the Ant people, who are celebrated for their activity, gayety, and disposition for play. Lacrosse, or ball play, is their favorite game.
254. Compare tales of visits to the country of the ghosts, collected among many tribes.
255. Some Indians say that Aq was not a personage of the speta'kl, or ancient world, but merely a haxaôi'mux ("land mystery or spirit) or one of the genii which frequent certain parts of the mountains, and called Aq on account of his cry.
256. Some say ten women, and that they belonged to Thompson River, a few miles below Spences Bridge. It is also said that the scene of the tragedy was at or near the Nzuke'ski Mountains, some miles south of Spences Bridge.
257. Some say ten men.
258. The carcass is cut up into nine pieces.
259. The Indians disagree as to the particular parts thrown to each tribe; but it is generally conceded that the back was thrown to the Shuswap, the heart to the Okanagon, the genitalia and feet to the Lillooet and Slaxai'ux, and the washings and wipings of their hands to the Uta'mqt and S’â’tcinko. This is the reason that the Okanagon are brave, the Shuswap strong and stubborn fighters, the Lillooets, Slaxai'ux, and Eyu't immoral and unwarlike, and their country full of haxaôi’mux and haxaa'tko, and that the Uta'mqt and S’â’tcinko are inferior people. Some Indians, in telling the story, simply say that the different parts were thrown to the tribes of the east, of the south, of the west, and of the north respectively.
