The sticks grew, and are the kind that are used in digging roots now. When he had planted the sticks, Wanaga said: “Hereafter I will be Wus-Kumush.” Then he left Kumush, stole away in the night. Kumush stayed two or three days. When he had eaten all the ges Wanaga left, he went off toward the east. Thenceforth he traveled about in the world, alone. [[51]]

[[Contents]]

STEALING FIRE

CHARACTERS

Blaiwas Eagle Múkus Owl
Dásläts California Lion Nébăks Sickness
Gowwá Swallow Sältgăls The Red of Morning
Kāhkaas Stork Súbbas Sun
Kânoa A Small Bird Tcanpsaudewas The People to Come
Káwhas Blackbird Tcwais Turkey Buzzard
Kéis Rattlesnake Tsĭhläs Red Squirrel
Kékina Lizard Tusasás Skunk
Kówe Frog Tskel Mink
Kûlta Otter Wámanik Bull Snake
Lok Bear Wûlkûtska Black Marten
Moi Squirrel Wus Black Fox

The ten Nébăks brothers, who lived in the east at the edge of the world, and the ten Súbbas brothers, who lived in the west, where the sky touches the earth, were the owners of fire.

Other people had no fire, they ate their meat raw, but they knew about fire, and were thinking how to get it; they knew that those men owned it.

At last Wus called a council of all the people in the world. When they had assembled, he said: “I feel sorry for the people who are to come.” (He had heard that people would come soon, and that he and his people would no longer be persons. He called the people who were to come Tcanpsaudewas.) “It will be hard for them in the world if they have no way of keeping warm. I know where fire is, and if you will help me I will get it.”

All promised to help, then Wus said: “You must stand in a line, one person a long running distance from another, and the line must reach from here to within one running distance of [[52]]the place where the Nébăks have their house. I will go to the house and steal fire, but you must bring it home.”

Wus sent the best runner to the farthest station, the second fastest runner to the second station and so on, till near home he placed men who could run only a little, men who soon tired out. The Kéis family he sent underground. People who traveled in the air formed a line above the earth.