Story of Those-born-at-Skedans [Told by John Sky of Those-born-at-Skedans] Qꜝō′na-qē′g̣awa-i
There lay Flat-slope[1] town. At that time there was sickness in the place. Da′tcꜝi-kî′lsʟas’s[2] daughter, Woman-whose-feet-make-a-thunderous-noise, owned a knife that shut up.[3] Then Woman-whose-feet-make-a-thunderous-noise died at Tcixodᴀ′lx̣a.[4] They said that something carried her off on account of the knife. They then took the body of Woman-whose-feet-make-a-thunderous-noise to Flat-slope town. They also said that the knife belonged to Pestilence,[5] and they took it to the middle of the inlet. They then put feathers on it and let it sink easily into the water. On account of the knife they owned the sea water.[6] ʟꜝ′x̣îñᴀs lnagā′-ihao g̣ag̣odai′yag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao gu stꜝeqa′ga­g̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao Datcꜝi-kî′lsʟas gudjā′ñg̣a, Djat-stꜝag̣a-ga-xē′gᴀns, sqao-qꜝō′dax̣uñ dag̣ai′yag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao Tcixodᴀ′lx̣a gu Djat-stꜝag̣a-ga-xē′gᴀns kꜝotwā′lag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao sqa′oqꜝodax̣uña-i ga′gi lᴀ gi ga stalᴀ′nsʟañ ʟꜝ sā′wag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao ʟꜝ′x̣îñᴀs lnagā′-i g̣a Djat-stꜝag̣a-ga-xē′gᴀns kꜝō′da ʟꜝ qꜝa-isʟai′yag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao sqa′oqꜝodax̣uña-i Ha-iłī′las gia′g̣a î′sîñ ʟꜝ sūs giên siga′-i g̣a lᴀ ʟꜝ qꜝā′-isʟsg̣aiyag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao lᴀ ʟꜝ łtᴀng̣oa′das giên lᴀ ʟꜝ hagᴀñg̣asʟgai′yag̣ᴀn. Sqa′-oqꜝodax̣uña-i tꜝa′gu g̣ayuwa′-i g̣a ʟꜝ kî′lskidag̣ᴀni.
Some time after that Tꜝā′giao began hunting with dogs. One time, while he was going after his dogs, the bear turned upon him. Then the bear pulled the skin of his head from him. They went out and got him. And they brought him away. They laid his body away, and again they owned the sea, the land, and all the inlets.[7] Ga′-istᴀ ga′g̣et qa′odi Tꜝā′giao xagī′g̣ax̣idag̣ᴀn. Ga-iʟ̣ū′hao gaatxᴀ′n xā′ga-i ʟ̣g̣a ᴀ′ñg̣a la qā′giagᴀñgᴀndixᴀn lᴀ gui tā′ng̣a-i qꜝa′-iłg̣ᴀłdaiyag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao tā′ng̣a-i l’ qā′dji qꜝᴀl wᴀ stᴀ dᴀñʟꜝʟai′­yag̣ᴀni. Giê′nhao g̣a lᴀ ʟꜝ tang̣ai′yag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao stᴀ lᴀ ʟꜝ ʟgā′­wag̣ᴀn. Lᴀ ʟꜝ ʟꜝnsgułgīgas giên hitꜝᴀg̣ᴀ′n g̣ā′yuwa-i g̣a ʟꜝ kî′lskidag̣ᴀni ʟga-i î′sîñ g̣a′oaga-i wa′ʟ̣uxᴀn î′sîñ.
Then the Common-food-steamers[8] gave them a plate of copper for their inlet. He was Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn’s son.[9] He was the one [the bear] killed at Kꜝial. And a woman of the Town-of-Cumshewa people[10] also gave a plate of copper to Those-born-at-Skedans for her inlet. Ḷū′hao ga Dā′g̣aña-sê′lga tꜝa′g̣o ᴀ′ñg̣a g̣a′oag̣a-i sqa′ogu ᴀ′ñg̣a tꜝa′g̣o qꜝā′-isʟaiyag̣ᴀni. Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn gi′tg̣a hao īdjā′g̣ᴀn. Kꜝia′l gu′hao lᴀ ga isdai′yag̣ᴀn. Giên nᴀñ Łqê′nuł-djī′naga î′sîñ g̣a′og̣as sqa′ogu ᴀ′ñg̣a tꜝa′g̣o Qꜝō′na-qē′g̣awa-i gi qꜝa-isʟai′yag̣ᴀn.
After that Skî′ltꜝakîñañ[11] began to hunt with dogs. And his dogs began barking at something at Łg̣a-i.[12] While he was following them his leg slipped into some [crevice]. His leg was scraped to the bone. He died there. And again they claimed the sea water, the inlets, and the land. The Common-food-steamers put out another copper plate for G̣ałî′ns,[13] and the Town-of-Cumshewa woman put out another copper plate for Qa′na.[13] They claimed all the islands along with them. There was no land lying vacant. Ga′-istᴀhao î′sîñ Skî′ltꜝakîñañ xagī′ᴀg̣ax̣idag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao Łg̣a-i gu lā′g̣a xā′ga-i gada′osi. G̣ō′ʟ̣ᴀg̣a lᴀ qagᴀ′ndixᴀn l’ yäł­tcꜝai′yag̣ᴀn. L’ kꜝial skū′dji sg̣u′nxᴀnhao lā′g̣a wa g̣ei sqꜝadjā′wa­g̣ᴀn. G̣ei l’ kꜝotᴀłsī′ giên î′sîñ g̣ā′yuwa-i g̣a′og̣a-i wai′giên ʟga-i î′sîñ g̣a ʟꜝ kî′lskidag̣ᴀni. Ga Dā′g̣aña-sê′lgas î′sîñ tꜝa′g̣o kîtqꜝā′i­djîłgwagag̣ᴀn G̣ałî′ns sqa′ogu ᴀ, giên nᴀñ Łqê′nuł djī′naga î′sîñ Qā′na sqa′ogu tꜝa′g̣o kitqꜝā′-idjîłgwagag̣ᴀn. Gwai′tcꜝida-i dᴀ′ñat xᴀ′nhao ga ʟꜝ kî′lskidag̣ᴀn. Gᴀm ʟgu ʟga′-i g̣a ga ā′gīxanag̣a′ñ­ag̣ᴀn.
Some time after that Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn again came there (to Skedans) to live. And he had a daughter, Flowing-property,[14] when they settled at Skedans. After that Flowing-property went to Skedans bay for something. And a woman of the Witch people[15] went with her. A woman of the Common-food-steamers[8] also went with her. While they were going along they upset. Then Flowing-property, with the woman of the Witch people, was drowned. Then the people wept, wept, wept. Presently they sent food to them through the fire, and in the same house laid claim to the sea and the islands.[16] Those-born-at-Skedans owned them. Ga′-istᴀ ga′g̣et qa′⁺odi î′sîñ Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn tcia′xaʟꜝxaiyag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao Tꜝaogwa′g̣anat lᴀ qe′igag̣ᴀn Qꜝō′na ʟꜝ łg̣ā′sʟas ʟ̣ū ᴀ. Ga′-istᴀhao Łg̣a-i g̣a Tꜝaogwā′g̣anat gī′nᴀ tā′ng̣aiyag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao nᴀñ Stꜝa′o-djidᴀga la at īdjā′g̣ᴀn. Giên nᴀñ Dā′g̣aña-sê′lga î′sîñ la at īdjā′g̣ᴀn. Qagîñg̣ᴀ′ndixᴀn l’ xasʟg̣ā′wag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao Tꜝaogwa′g̣anat nᴀñ Stꜝa′o-djidᴀgas dᴀ′ñat l’ tcā′ʟ̣g̣adag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣ū sg̣ā′-igaga-i îs, îs, îs. Qa′odi lᴀ gi ʟꜝ ūga′-i na′-ig̣ahao î′sîñ g̣ā′yuwa-i at gwai′tcꜝida-i ga ʟꜝ kî′lskidag̣ᴀni. Qꜝō′na qē′g̣awa-i ᴀ′ñg̣a dag̣ag̣ea′la­g̣ᴀni.
After the death of Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn another Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn who came to live in his place had Gîtko′na[17] as his son. It was he who built [the [[88]]house] Gutkwa′-ida.[18] Gîtko′na married a woman of Those-born-at-Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o-creek.[19] Ga′-istᴀ Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn. kꜝotula′-i sî′łg̣a î′sîñ Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn hᴀn kī′g̣a nag̣ea′lga-i ʟ̣ū Gîtko′na lᴀ qe′igag̣ᴀn. La′hao Gutkwai′daxełdaiya­g̣ᴀn. Nᴀñ Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o-qē′g̣ao djī′daga Gîtko′na ī′nagag̣ᴀn. [[89]]
One day he went out to hunt seal on Gwai′ya.[20] When he went with his spear for some hair seal that lay on the rocks, outside of the hair seal lay a small killer whale with two dorsal fins and white stripes. It looked pretty. And he speared it. Gaatxᴀ′nhao Gwai′ya g̣a xōt gi lᴀ saiyā′nag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao xō′da-i tā′-isʟg̣a qꜝa dᴀ′ñat lᴀ qā′giagᴀña-i ʟ̣ū xō′da-i qꜝadax̣ū′stᴀ sg̣ā′na łg̣a′na sqꜝastî′ñ qꜝa′lᴀñag̣a kꜝᴀ′tdju ʟ̣łî′ndaiyag̣ᴀn. L’ hā′nagadᴀs. Giê′nhao qꜝa′ga-i at lᴀ lᴀ kidā′g̣ᴀni.
And, when the killer whale wriggled away from the spear, it went along the surface of the sea blowing. It went under at Corner-of-mouth.[21] They fled at once. When they came abreast of Gwī′g̣ᴀl[22] all the broad water was crowded with killer whales. They were jumping over the canoes. He looked southward. The surface of the sea was covered. He looked northward. It was the same. The mats[23] rolled toward him and stopped near by. The stringers[23] also stood up on end and fell close to them. Tcꜝa′g̣ᴀnsqꜝa′gida-i[23] also fell near by. Ḷū′hao qꜝa′ga-i la g̣e′istᴀ łkū′stᴀga-i ʟ̣ū sg̣ā′naga-i g̣ā′yuwa-i qꜝā′łgut lᴀ stᴀ kwaskᴀ′ñgîñañdalag̣ᴀni. Xē′łag̣ot gu′hao l’ gayu­gai′yag̣ᴀn. Gañā′xᴀnhao stᴀ lᴀ ga-itg̣oqa-itg̣ā′wag̣ᴀni. Gwī′gᴀl ʟ̣ū l’ g̣eiłg̣awa′-i ʟ̣ū ʟ g̣ā′yao qꜝā′gas sg̣ā′na at skꜝulʟꜝxai′yag̣ᴀn. ʟua′-i tꜝᴀ′lgi kwax̣a′otcꜝigagañag̣ᴀni. G̣ᴀ′ñxet gui l’ qē′xaiyas. G̣ā′yuwa-i qꜝᴀl-skꜝū′daga. Qꜝa gui î′sîñ l’ qē′xaiyas. Ga-i î′sîñ wᴀgañā′xᴀn g̣ēt. Lgudja′-i la g̣a skꜝax̣unᴀ′ñdalasi giên l’ xᴀ′ñg̣astᴀ xᴀn ʟan idjā′ñag̣ᴀni. Sqꜝag̣awa′-i î′sîñ l’ gia′xaʟꜝxasi giên l’ xᴀ′ñg̣astᴀxᴀn qꜝagā′ñag̣ᴀni. Tcꜝa′g̣ᴀnsqꜝa′gida-i î′sîñ qꜝaʟꜝxagā′ñ­ag̣ᴀni.
After they had fled for some time they landed at Gwī′g̣ᴀl. They then turned over the canoe among the driftwood. At that time the killer whales were jumping about upon their tails on the dry land. By and by they (his comrades) said to Gîtko′na: “Come, let us try to do something.” Big killer whales lay in the canoe cove. At that time they took out tobacco for them. When they laid it down with calcined shells behind it the g̣ō′tgadugᴀmłg̣al[24] took it into its mouth. The big creature at once moved seaward. Immediately, all vanished into the ocean. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao l’ ga-itg̣ogî′ñg̣o qa′odi Gwī′g̣ᴀl gu lᴀ ga-itg̣og̣ā′sgida­g̣ᴀni. Ḷū′hao ga′-ina-i sū′g̣a ʟua′-i lᴀ dagū′tꜝᴀłdag̣awag̣ᴀni. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao sg̣ā′naga-i kꜝidᴀ′ñ at ʟga-i qꜝa′g̣aga-i gut agᴀ′ñ kîtqadadjî′ñgañag̣ᴀni. Qa′odihao Gîtko′na hᴀn ʟꜝ sūdai′yag̣ᴀn “Ha′lᴀ tꜝalᴀ′ñ ū gudᴀ′ntcꜝañ.” G̣agaga′-i g̣a′hao sg̣ā′na yū′ᴀnda ʟ̣g̣oxā′ñgialag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao gū′la-i wa g̣a ʟꜝ gia′lgasg̣aiyag̣ᴀni. Wᴀ dī′tgu gwa′ga-i dᴀ′ñat ʟꜝ î′sdag̣a-i ʟ̣ū g̣ō′tgadugᴀmłgala-i wᴀ xełī′­g̣ei ū îsdai′yag̣ᴀni. Gañā′xᴀnhao nᴀñ yū′ᴀns ʟ̣′dax̣îtsg̣aiyag̣ᴀni. Gañā′xᴀnhao ʟ gī′na na′odᴀgas gagugai′yag̣ᴀn.
When they got home the shamans did not say anything good about him. They said he had better not go anywhere on the ocean for four years. He had struck the son of Corner-of-mouth. The shamans told his father and himself that the supernatural beings were talking about him—whether they would let him fall from a steep place, or let him fell a tree upon himself, or let him capsize. The shamans said that they would give him up at the end of four years. During all that time he did not go out to sea for anything. During all that time he did not go after anything at all. Ḷū′hao l’ îsg̣oa′s giên ʟꜝ sg̣ā′ga l’ qî′ñgutg̣añx̣idag̣ᴀn. Ḷū tā′da stᴀ′nsîñ g̣ᴀn lᴀ ʟꜝ gī′na tā′ng̣axałga′ñag̣ᴀn. Xē′łᴀg̣ot gī′tg̣a hao lᴀ ki′tadjag̣ᴀn. Sg̣ā′na-qeda′s l’ xᴀ′nsgu ga kî′lłas ʟꜝ sg̣ā′ga l’ g̣ō′ñg̣a gi at la gi sūdagā′ñag̣ᴀn lᴀ ʟꜝ ʟ̣goē′xałîñ at gwī′g̣añ lᴀ ʟꜝ xa′-ixałiñ at lᴀ ʟꜝ xā′sʟxałañ. Tā′da stᴀ′nsîñg̣eił giên lᴀ gi ʟꜝ qa-î′nsʟaasañ ʟꜝ sg̣ā′ga lᴀ gi sū′gañag̣ᴀn. Kꜝiä′łhao gᴀm l’ gī′na tā′ng̣ag̣añag̣ᴀn. Kꜝiä′łhao gᴀm gī′na lᴀ da′og̣añag̣ᴀni.
Skilanʟî′nda spoke to him as follows: “I see something strange near you, and I will break something you love.”[25] One day they made a box for him. He kicked it. The box then burst. Gîtko′na at once lay down in bed [for sorrow]. Skilanʟî′nda hao hᴀn l’ kî′ñgugᴀñadaiyag̣ᴀn: “Dᴀñ gwa′di gī′na ł qêñakꜝi′g̣a giên gī′naga dᴀñ kꜝū′g̣a ł qā′-itgusʟasga.” Gañaxᴀ′nhao la g̣ᴀn g̣o′da la ʟꜝ ʟg̣ołg̣ai′yag̣ᴀn. Lā′g̣a lᴀ la stꜝaqadai′yag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao g̣oda′-i g̣ei g̣atłai′yag̣ᴀn. Gañā′xᴀnhao Gîtko′na ta-iqā′­wag̣ᴀn.
While he still lay there a white animal[26] swam into Skedans harbor. He at once told his father not to allow anyone to go to it. So his father directed. Then he set out after it with three canoe companions. They pursued it. After he had shot at it in the inside of the harbor for a while it led him out. At the same time a fog enveloped him. They then beat drums for him and they threw skids one against another. After two foggy nights had passed it cleared in the morning. Then some went toward Lake inlet.[27] Some also went to Rock-point.[28] [[90]]They picked up his paddle. They again owned the sea. They again owned the land. Ha′oxᴀn l’ ta-idig̣ᴀ′ndixᴀn Qꜝō′na-g̣ag̣aga-i g̣ei g̣adagᴀ′ndjao ʟ̣gīʟꜝxatcꜝai′yag̣ᴀn Gañā′xᴀnhao g̣ō′ñg̣añ gᴀm la g̣a nᴀñ lᴀ ʟuqā′­sg̣axałg̣a′ñag̣ᴀn. Gañā′xᴀnhao l’ g̣ō′ñg̣a sā′wag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao tcꜝa′ał łg̣unwā′lgu lᴀ ʟ̣g̣a lᴀ tcꜝix̣iā′ñag̣ᴀn. Lᴀ gi g̣ag̣aga′-i g̣ei lᴀ tcꜝī′dju qa′odi lᴀ ga g̣ᴀ′lgastᴀgwa’gag̣ᴀn. Atguʟ̣ū′ yä′nᴀña-i lᴀ gi qa′ogusʟaiyag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao Qꜝō′na gu gaodja′o lᴀ gi ʟꜝ sqotxē′gᴀns at tꜝakꜝu′nxēt guta′t ʟꜝ qꜝā′-itg̣ag̣adañgañag̣ᴀn. G̣āl stîñ yä′naña­g̣ea′lga-i ʟ̣ū l’ qadjī′sʟia-ułaiyag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao Sū-qā′łi gui ga qa′-it. Tꜝēs-ku′n gui î′sîñ ga qa′-it. Ga-iʟ̣ū′hao ā′la-i lā′g̣a ʟꜝ qî′nstᴀ-îndjā′­wag̣ᴀn. [[91]]Ga′-iʟ̣u î′sîñ g̣ayuwa′-i ga ʟꜝ kî′lskît. ʟga-i ga î′sîñ ʟꜝ kî′lskît.
After that his father died, and G̣oa′łdao took his place.[29] His son was Lg̣akꜝia′o. At that time they went to Gwai′ya to fish. He (the son) begged some boys to accompany him thither. And they went out in a crowd. Then, as soon as they had taken out hadja,[30] they plucked off their feathers and made fun of them. Ga′-istᴀ l’ g̣ō′ñg̣a kꜝotwā′lasi giên lᴀ sî′łg̣a G̣oa′łdao nag̣ea′lag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣u Lg̣akꜝia′o lᴀ qē′gag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao Gwai′yᴀ g̣a ʟꜝ xaona­î′nsg̣aiyag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iguhao ʟ g̣ā′xa lᴀ tcꜝag̣ᴀ′nłiñasi. Giê′nhao ʟꜝ qꜝoa′łdax̣idag̣ᴀni. Ga′-iʟ̣ū hadjiga′-i ʟꜝ ʟ̣′īʟꜝxa ʟā′guda ʟꜝ gadā′si at ʟꜝ nᴀ′ñx̣îsg̣alᴀñgā′ñag̣ᴀn.
After they had been doing this for some time they went to I′ʟꜝga-i-ᴀ′ndjusg̣as[31] after ʟꜝkꜝia′o.[32] They then let down Lg̣akꜝia′o into a crevice. After he had taken off ʟꜝkꜝia′o and given them to the children for a while he tried to get out. The walls were jammed in against his head. The tide was coming up to him. ʟꜝ îsdadjā′gadᴀñ qa′⁺odi I′ʟꜝga-i-ᴀ′ndjusg̣as g̣a ʟꜝ qꜝō′skꜝax̣una′ñ­gaiyag̣ᴀn. Ga-iʟ̣ū′hao nᴀñ ʟꜝadanā′ g̣ei Lg̣akꜝia′o ʟꜝ x̣idatcꜝai′ya­g̣ᴀn. ʟꜝkꜝiwa′-i lᴀ kîtx̣unᴀ′nsi kꜝiäł g̣axaga′-i gi la isdag̣ᴀ′ndi qa′odi l’ qax̣uā′lg̣aʟꜝxaiyas. L’ qā′dji ga qꜝoqꜝā′-isgidag̣ᴀn. Lᴀ g̣a gᴀ-iłdai′yag̣ᴀn.
They at once carried the news to his parents. His parents immediately took hides, paints, and feathers and went thither. They then started a fire there and put these into it, and talked [through the fire] to I′ʟꜝga-i-ᴀ′ndjusg̣as.[33] They asked to have him let out. When all the property was destroyed the crevice became large and they pulled him out of it. They (supernatural beings) started to take him because he made fun of the hadja of I′ʟꜝga-i-ᴀ′ndjusg̣as. Gañaxa′nhao l’ yā′g̣alᴀñ gi ʟꜝ kî′ndaiyag̣ᴀn. Gañaxᴀ′nhao yā′g̣alᴀñ qꜝētqꜝā′mal at xa′-idᴀ-ma′sg̣a wai′giên łtᴀ′ng̣o îsda′si giên g̣a ʟꜝ gᴀnłg̣alā′ñag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao gu ʟꜝ tcꜝanū′g̣adasi giên wa g̣ei ā′si ʟꜝ sîsg̣ā′si ʟā′guda I′ʟꜝga-i-ᴀ′ndjusg̣as g̣a ʟꜝ kîłgulgā′ñag̣ᴀn. Lᴀ ʟꜝ qā′x̣ułxałs. Gī′naga′-ixᴀn ha′-ilusg̣aga-i ʟ̣ū ʟꜝā′dana-i yū′xałsi giên g̣e′istᴀ lᴀ ʟꜝ dᴀñʟꜝstai′yag̣ᴀni. I′ʟꜝga-i-ᴀ′ndjusg̣as hadjiga′-i at la nᴀ′ñx̣isg̣alᴀñᴀsi tꜝa′g̣a lᴀ gi stalᴀ′ñx̣idag̣ᴀn.
After that they again went for birds. Then again, as soon as they had plucked the hadja, they let them fly away. They made fun of them. While they were going along the edge of a cliff Lg̣akꜝia′o fell down. And he fell from the cliff. When he was caught halfway down they told him not to move. But still he did move, and fell again. That time he was smashed to pieces below. Ga′-istᴀhao î′sîñ ʟꜝ ʟꜝx̣îtgai′yag̣ᴀn. Ga-iʟ̣ū′ î′sîñ hadjiga′-i ʟꜝ gadā′si ʟā′guda ʟꜝ ñā′łgalᴀñsg̣adagā′ñag̣ᴀni. Ga′-iʟ̣u ga ʟꜝ sī′kꜝia­gañag̣ᴀni. Nᴀñ stala′-i qo′lgut ʟꜝ gᴀndalg̣ᴀ′ndixᴀn Lg̣akꜝia′o ʟ̣tꜝᴀł­dai′yag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao sta′la-i gū′stᴀ l’ ʟ̣g̣awai′ag̣ᴀn. Taʟ̣djū′ l’ ʟ̣łinaga′-i ʟ̣ū gᴀm lᴀ ʟꜝ hî′ldᴀñxałgᴀñᴀs. Tꜝᴀ′lgi xᴀn lᴀ hî′ldᴀña-i ʟ̣ū î′sîñ l’ ʟ̣′goe-lg̣ai′yag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao xē′da la g̣ei g̣atłai′yag̣ᴀn.
Then, when the children went home, his father told them not to enter their houses. At once the parents of the children gave him property. They paid him many moose skins. They then set him (i.e., his body) up there. They made four posts for his grave.[34] It is the one on [35] Ga′-iʟ̣u g̣axaga′-i gᴀndax̣ida′-i ʟ̣ū l’ g̣ō′ñg̣a gᴀm gᴀ′ndalʟꜝxa­xᴀłg̣ā′ñag̣ᴀn. Gañaxᴀ′nhao ʟ̣ū′hao g̣axaga′-i yā′g̣alᴀñ l’ ʟ′skuʟꜝxa­x̣idag̣ᴀn. Tcꜝî′sgu qoan ʟꜝ wā′łaiyag̣ᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣uhao gu l’ ʟꜝ tcꜝî′s­łnagag̣ᴀn. L’ xā′da lā′g̣a ʟꜝ łgī′stᴀnsîñdai′yag̣ᴀn. Haoxᴀ′nhao gu nᴀñ u′ngu qa′-it gia′gᴀñ gu ī′djîñ. Ga′-istᴀ hao ʟan Qꜝō′na-qē′g̣awa-i at ʟ g̣ā′xa nᴀñx̣idā′g̣ᴀn ʟꜝ wałai′yag̣ᴀn g̣aga′n ᴀ.
Before that a woman of Those-born-at-Skedans became a shaman. When she began to perform she told her father to tie a dancing skirt upon her. Her father did so. The supernatural power spoke to her. He promised her ten whales. Ku′ng̣ᴀstᴀhao nᴀñ Qꜝō′na-qē′g̣ao djī′daga sg̣ā′g̣adag̣ᴀn. La′hao sg̣ā′g̣ax̣idies giên xā′dᴀñ gî′ñg̣añ gᴀntcꜝiłg̣ā′giga-i lᴀ kiūdjî′skitxalag̣ᴀn. Gañā′xᴀnhao l’ xā′tg̣a wagā′ñag̣ᴀn. Sg̣ā′na hao lᴀ gi sā′wag̣ᴀn. Kun ʟa′ał gī lᴀ kî′ñgugañag̣ᴀn.
After she had fasted for a while she went out, and something made a noise near by, such as a person makes between his lips. When she looked toward the noise she saw some mussels. Those were the souls of whales. She said they were going to be in Skedans creek. After ten nights had passed they went to look. Whales floated there. There was a row of them. They found ten whales in the creek. Even at this day their vertebræ are to be seen there. L’ qꜝa-isa′ldi qa′odi l’ qax̣uā′lg̣aga-i ʟ̣ū la g̣ei gī′na kꜝutʟū′ʟdaiyag̣ᴀn. Gī lᴀ qēxaga′-i ʟ̣ū tā′xao lᴀ qea′ñag̣ᴀni. A′hao kuna′-i g̣ā′łanda-i īdjā′g̣ᴀn. Łg̣a-i-g̣ᴀ′nʟ̣a-i qałī′ᴀg̣ei î′sgasañ lᴀ sā′wag̣ᴀn. Gañā′xᴀnhao g̣ala′-i ʟa′ałg̣ea′lga-i ʟ̣ū ʟꜝ qeā′ñgagasi. Wa g̣ei kuna′-i g̣ei ʟ̣′gīlañdalag̣ᴀni. Ga-iʟ̣gilañdā′lag̣ᴀni. Ku′na-i ʟa′ał g̣ᴀ′nʟ̣a-i qałī′g̣a ʟꜝ qî′nstaiyag̣ᴀni. Haoxᴀ′nhao wa g̣ei qā′maqamiga-i ʟꜝ qîñgᴀ′ñgᴀñ.
They said something against a supernatural power which was walking on the seaweed [on an island owned by Those-born-at-Skedans]. [[92]]One day a certain person entered Gutkwā′-ida and said: “Some one is walking about on Island-that-turns-about-with-the-tide.”[36] She then went out and called toward it: “Who is it on that island, A′wiya kūdā′lła.”[37] Then, they launched a canoe quickly, and went over to look. There was nothing on it to be seen. And when they got back they wept much in Gutkwā′-ida.[18] She had spoken against the supernatural being. She died. This was told by the best story-teller in Skidegate, himself a member of that family. It was that division to which the town chief of Kloo belonged, and was reputed to be one of the most powerful Eagle families on the islands. Part of the family lived at Skedans, and, as may be inferred from the story itself, the town chief of that place was generally father of the town chief of Kloo, who therefore lived at Skedans before assuming his position at Kloo itself. [[87]] Sg̣ā′na î′sîñ lᴀ kî′ldᴀsg̣awañ wᴀnsū′gᴀñ, sqe′ua-g̣ea′lañ wᴀnsū′ga. Gaatxᴀ′n Gutkwā′-ida g̣ei hᴀn nᴀñ suqatcꜝa′s. “Dalqꜝā′-iłgᴀłgîñ gut nᴀñ qag̣ō′ñga, auwiyā′, auwiyā′,” hᴀn l’ sī′wus. Giê′nhao l’ qax̣uā′las [[93]]giên gī lᴀ kî′ñgusg̣asi, “Gī′sto ʟgu îsʟdjū′gᴀñ ā′wiya kūda′lła.” Ḷū′hao ʟū î′sîñ ʟꜝ qꜝā′dagias giên ʟꜝ qîñyä′nasi. Gᴀm gī′na gut g̣ałgā′gᴀñᴀs. Giên wᴀ stᴀ î′sg̣ogila-i ʟ̣ū Gutkwā′ida g̣a ʟꜝ sg̣a′-i­gayūᴀnᴀs. Sg̣ā′na hao lᴀ kî′ldadjañ wᴀnsū′ga. L’ kꜝotwā′lag̣ᴀn. Hao ʟ ku′ndju. [[94]]
[1] It was built upon a steep hillside on Louise island. [↑] [2] Kî′lsʟas, “chief.” He was chief of Those-born-at-Qā′gials. [↑] [3] Literally, “a knife that opens its mouth.” This statement places the date of the story subsequent to white contact. [↑] [4] A salmon creek. [↑] [5] See the story of [Big-tail], note [16]. [↑] [6] They claimed the sea water as blood money for the death of a member of their family, the cause of that death having been sunk in it and it being the home of Pestilence. [↑] [7] Again, this was because their chief had been killed in that country and his death might have been due to one of the supernatural beings inhabiting it. [↑] [8] A division of Those-born-at-Skedans of low social rank. ↑ [a] [b] [9] Wā′nᴀg̣ᴀn being town chief of Flat-slope town. [↑] [10] Another name for Those-born-at-Qā′gials, the ruling family of Skedans. [↑] [11] A chief of Those-born-at-Skedans. The name means something like “property sounding.” [↑] [12] Skedans bay. [↑] [13] That is, they pay blood money for his death instead of surrendering the inlets or salmon creeks so named. G̣ałî′ns and Qa′na are the inlets referred to above. ↑ [a] [b] [14] I am not absolutely sure of the correctness of this translation of Tꜝaogwā′g̣anat. [↑] [15] The Eagle family of Cumshewa, a town situated on the north side of Cumshewa inlet, near its mouth. [↑] [16] Still another time, for the death of their kinswoman. [↑] [17] Said to be a Tsimshian word. It was one of the favorite names of the chiefs of Kloo. [↑] [18] Very likely this should be, when given at length, Gut-qwē′g̣a-ga-xē′gᴀns, “[House]-upon-which-the-clouds-thunder.” At any rate, the house of one of the town chiefs of Skedans was so called. ↑ [a] [b] [19] A Raven family of Kloo, descended from the Raven families of the west coast. [↑] [20] Big Low island. [↑] [21] Name of a cape. [↑] [22] An island. [↑] [23] Various sea creatures, whether fabulous or not I do not know. The Tcꜝa′g̣ᴀn sqꜝagida-i are said to be long sea animals that roll themselves up and unroll on the water. ↑ [a] [b] [c] [24] A creature resembling a porpoise, except that it has large dorsal fins. [↑] [25] These words are said to have signified that his wife was unfaithful to him. When this happened to a man he would be unlucky, perhaps losing his life in hunting or war. [↑] [26] A young sea otter. [↑] [27] Skincuttle bay. [↑] [28] Between Copper bay and Cumshewa point. [↑] [29] As chief of Skedans. [↑] [30] This bird burrows to lay its eggs, except in rocky places. It was much hunted by the Haida with torches. [↑] [31] A point at the eastern end of the larger Low island. [↑] [32] This creature is probably something like a chiton. [↑] [33] The “Old-woman-under-the-fire” usually carried messages from men to the supernatural beings. [↑] [34] That is, the box in which his body was placed was supported by four posts. [↑] [35] The story-teller affirmed that, when he was young, children of other families did not want to play with him for the same reason. [↑] [36] One of the Skedans islands. See the story of [Sacred-one-standing-and-moving, Stone-ribs, and Upward], note [35]. [↑] [37] An exclamation of astonishment used when something happens suddenly. [↑]

[[Contents]]

A Story Told to Accompany Bear Songs [Told by Job Moody of the Witch people] A Story Told to Accompany Bear Songs
A man began to set deadfalls. His son was always with him. Whenever he went out to see them he found that in some way or another they had got away from the deadfalls. And he now became angry. He became angry with himself because he could not get the black bears. Now he began fasting. Nᴀñ ī′łiña hao sqā′badax̣idag̣ᴀn. L’ gī′tg̣a ī′łiña lᴀ gi ʟ̣′dadja­g̣ᴀn. Uiê′dhao l’ daotꜝagā′ñgas kꜝiäł lā′g̣a sqā′baga-i lā′g̣a ʟguxᴀ′n⁺ga î′sdagᴀñas. Giê′nhao uiê′dhao l’ stꜝexag̣ia′lag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao qꜝenᴀ′ñ hao l’ stꜝē′xag̣ia′lag̣ᴀn tana′-i g̣adō′ lᴀ g̣etsgia′si g̣aga′n ᴀ. Uiê′dhao agᴀ′ñ la g̣e′idax̣idag̣ᴀn.
After eight nights had passed he became weak. In the ninth night his son lay by him, and some time before daylight he pushed against his father with his feet. Then his father did not move, and he looked at his father. He was already dead. He saw foam piled up in front of his mouth. Lᴀ gi g̣ā′la-i stā′nsîñxag̣ea′lga-i ʟ̣ū l’ qada′og̣ā′xag̣ia′lag̣ᴀn. G̣ā′la-i ʟaałî′ñgīsg̣oa′nsîñgao g̣ala′-i′g̣a l’ gī′tg̣a la at tā′-idaiyag̣ᴀn, giên sî′ñgaʟ̣an stᴀ g̣adjī′iñag̣ela-i ʟ̣ū g̣ō′ñg̣añ lᴀ ʟg̣adā′ñag̣ᴀn. Giên gᴀm l’ g̣ō′ñg̣a hiłdᴀg̣ᴀ′ns giên xᴀ′ñgustᴀ ū lᴀ qea′ñagᴀn. L’ g̣ō′ñg̣a ʟʟ̣ū′xᴀn kꜝotwā′las. Xēłᴀg̣e′istᴀ sqol qꜝa′-idjuʟꜝxadies lᴀ qea′ñag̣ᴀn.
Now, although his father was dead, he went to see his father’s deadfalls. There was one in the first deadfall he looked into. Then he pulled the bear out of the deadfall. He laid it face up to skin it. Now, when he took his knife the bear’s body began to sing through him: Uiê′dhao g̣ō′ñg̣añ kꜝotulā′gas skꜝiä′xᴀn g̣ō′ñg̣añg̣a sqabaga′-i lᴀ qîñgai′yag̣ᴀni. Uiê′dhao sqā′ba lᴀ qênʟā′gañas g̣a xᴀn nᴀñ g̣a qꜝā′dag̣adai′yag̣ᴀn. Uiê′dhao sqā′baga-i g̣e′istᴀ tā′na-i lᴀ dᴀñʟ̣stai′yag̣ani. Uiê′dhao l’ ʟꜝstaga′-i g̣ᴀn xᴀ′ñagi lᴀ la dag̣ag̣ā′wag̣ᴀn. Uiê′dhao sqawa′-i la g̣ᴀn lᴀ qagī′ga-i ʟ̣ū tā′na-i kꜝō′da la g̣ei sg̣alᴀ′ñʟꜝxax̣idaiyag̣ᴀn.
Chief,[1] chief [that I am], be careful how you pull your grandfather around. Be careful how you pull around your grandfather as you sit beside him. I am too much of a boy for you (i.e., too old). Chief, chief [that I am]. 𝄆 𝄆 “O′ho hâ hâlī′x̣ia′â Chief (in bear language) 𝄇 gū′stᴀlasxa′n be careful ła tcī′nañ your grandfather dᴀñʟ̣g̣ō′skinᴀñ. [you] pull around. “Gū′stᴀlasxa′n Be careful ła tcī′nᴀñ your grandfather g̣eiʟ̣g̣ō′sginᴀñ, [you] pull him around sitting beside him. “Dᴀñ You g̣a for dĪ I g̣axā′ g̣e′ida, am too much of a boy 𝄇 𝄆 o hâlī′īx̣iēâ chief 𝄇 𝄆 â hâlī′x̣ias chief 𝄇 [Â hâlī′x̣ias was sometimes replaced by Suwayē′.]
After he had skinned it he looked at one (a deadfall) farther inland. One also lay in that. He pulled it out to skin it. Now he took his knife. [It then sang through him]: Uiê′dhao lᴀ la ʟstagī′ga-i ʟ̣ū didᴀx̣ū′stᴀ lana′ î′sîñ lᴀ qea′ñgag̣eala­g̣ᴀn. Lᴀ g̣a î′sîñ nᴀñ ʟ̣′g̣odi la ê′sîñ ʟꜝstaga′-i g̣ᴀn lᴀ dᴀñʟ̣stai′yag̣ᴀn. Uiê′dhao sqawa′-i la g̣ᴀn lᴀ g̣agī′gag̣ᴀn.
Chief, chief [that I am], I am already far away. At the cliff, coming from my passage through the mountains,[2] I hold up my head grandly. Chief, chief [that I am], I am already far away from it. From my blue mountain I am now far away. On the island I travel, led about proudly. From it I am far away. Chief, chief [that I am]. 𝄆 “Â hâlī′x̣ias Chief sâ′hâhaiyē, 𝄇 𝄆 hâ stᴀ from dī I gai′xââgīwañ am already far away 𝄇 ʟdag̣a′oxē′lagᴀñ My passage through the mountains stᴀ from stᴀls cliff gu at ł I ᴀ′ndjudala-i hold up my head greatly 𝄆 â hâlī′x̣ias chief 𝄇 A′hao Now stᴀ from dī I qꜝaixā′gĪwañ am far away ʟdag̣a′o my mountain g̣ō′łg̣ałg̣ᴀ′ñ blue stᴀ from A′hao Now stᴀ from dī I qꜝaixagī′wañ am far away gwa-is island gut upon ł I ᴀ′ndjudala-i travel about proudly 𝄆 hâ stᴀ from dī I qꜝaixā′giwañ am far away 𝄇 𝄆 hâlī′x̣ias. chief. 𝄇
He started for one still farther inland. One was also in that. He pulled it out. When he laid his hand on his knife to skin it, that one also sang through him: Hao î′sîñ dī′dᴀ nᴀñ īdja′s g̣a lᴀ qā′x̣iagîł. La g̣a î′sîñ nᴀñ ga qꜝadag̣ā′di. La î′sîñ wa g̣e′istᴀ lᴀ dᴀñʟ̣′stᴀʟꜝxa. La î′sîñ ʟꜝstaga′-i g̣ᴀn sqawa′-i lᴀ qagī′ga-i ʟ̣ū la î′sîñ la g̣ei sg̣alᴀ′nʟꜝxa. [[97]]
Chief, chief [that I am], they say [that I have] green mountains. They say that I went into the creek I own which stretches its length afar.[3] Chief, chief [that I am]. His younger brother having disappeared, Marten traveled around this island rapidly.[4] He then heard people singing [these songs]. And he sent word back quickly. He said: “The human beings have already finished singing.” He immediately turned his marten-skin upside down and held his beating stick to dance for his younger [[96]]brother. And they now made the words of the songs we are singing. Then he acted as if he were choked. They then said: “Go and get the chief.” And they held him up. Marten was Black-bear’s elder brother. One fall both had been gathering salmon, and he said to Black-bear: “Younger brother, stand in the creek downstream. I will stand above in the creek. I will float down to you the bodies of those I kill.” They did it at once, and his younger brother, Black-bear, went into the creek below and stood there. Now, as soon as Marten got into the creek above he floated one down, and his younger brother below threw it out. He was at some distance from where they lived. After he had been gone for some time he came in to his wife and children, and as he caressed his children he said: “Fresh salmon, my daughter, fresh salmon.” Now, she went out to get them and saw nothing. Then she came in and said to her father: “Father, I saw nothing there.” And he said to his daughter: “They lie just outside, my daughter.” Now, she again went out. Again she could not find them. “Father, only gills [with entrails attached] lie outside.” “Those are the things, my daughter.” She then brought them in and roasted them. And he went opposite to where they were being cooked and said: “[Give me] the milt of a salmon.”[5]. 𝄆 Halīx̣iâ′â Chief hâ â hâlix̣iē′ chief 𝄇 ʟdag̣a′o-g̣ᴀñ my mountain g̣ołg̣a′lañ green su they say g̣ᴀnʟ̣g̣ā′ñ my creek hao x̣iê′nłg̣ᴀłdalan flowing along in a long stream sū they say g̣a in ᴀ′ñg̣a mine ł I ʟ̣′gisʟi went halix̣iâ′â chief. hâlisū′yē. (L’ daog̣ᴀ′ng̣a gaosg̣oa′nᴀñᴀs giê′nhao asi gwai′ya-i g̣ada′oxa Kꜝux̣ugina′gîts g̣a′-idᴀñᴀñ wᴀnsū′ga. Giê′nhao ʟgu ʟga-i g̣a xᴀn ʟꜝ xā′-idᴀg̣a ga sū′diesi lᴀ gudᴀ′ñᴀsi. Giê′nhao siłgia′n l’ kî′ndgāñañ wᴀnsū′ga. Giên hᴀn l’ sī′wus “Xa′-iʟ̣a xā′-idᴀg̣a-i ʟꜝa sī′gaiya-i g̣eiłgīdai′yagᴀn.” Gañā′xᴀnhao kꜝux̣ua′-i sa′ʼgui ᴀ′ñg̣a lᴀ kꜝig̣ā′­g̣eiłdasi giên tꜝa′skꜝia-i lᴀ sqꜝagī′gᴀñ wᴀnsū′gᴀñ da′og̣ᴀnᴀñ gi sī′gia g̣ᴀn ᴀ. Giên uiêd sg̣alᴀ′ñ ga tꜝalᴀ′ñ sū′ugᴀñ ʟꜝ gia′ʼgoyîñas. Giê′nhao l’ x̣ā′łdax̣idᴀñᴀñ wᴀnsū′ga. Giên hᴀn lᴀ ʟꜝ sū′dag̣ᴀñ wᴀnsū′ga, “I′ʟꜝga-i ła dao.” Giên g̣ei lᴀ ʟꜝ sqatgiā′⁺xᴀ′ñgwañ. Kꜝū′x̣u hao tān g̣ᴀn kꜝwai′yᴀñ wᴀnsū′ga. Tꜝā′nutgāgas giê′nhao stî′ñxᴀn tcī′na gī la hᴀ′lxag̣ogᴀñ wᴀnsū′ga. Giên hᴀn tān lᴀ sū′dagᴀñᴀñ wᴀnsū′ga “Dō′na-i tꜝā′x̣ua ła g̣ᴀnʟ̣a′-i g̣a gia′gᴀñᴀñ. Ła ê′sîñ sia′ g̣ᴀnʟ̣a′-i g̣a gia′gᴀñasi. Tcī′na-i ła ʟꜝda′ hao dᴀñ g̣a kꜝō′da łᴀ dā′łx̣unᴀñtꜝałda′asañ.” Gañā′xᴀn lᴀ g̣etg̣oa′si giên tān daog̣anā′gas g̣ᴀnʟ̣a′-i g̣a xē′da ʟ̣′łagi giên gu lᴀ giagᴀ′ñgiᴀgᴀñ. Kꜝux̣ua′-i ê′sîñ sa hitꜝᴀg̣ᴀ′n g̣ᴀnʟ̣a′-i g̣ei lᴀ ʟ̣łagia′ atxᴀ′n l’ dā′lʟ̣łas giên l’ daog̣ᴀ′ng̣a tꜝā′x̣ua l’ kꜝatagî′lgᴀñas. Naxā′ñg̣oas stᴀ hao lᴀ īdjā′ñañ wᴀnsū′ga. L’ gaodjī′iñagas stᴀ djā′g̣ᴀñ at gitg̣alᴀ′ñ gu lᴀ qatcꜝa′s giên gitg̣alᴀ′ñ g̣a lᴀ kꜝū′g̣adies gu la sū′dagañag̣ᴀn: “G̣a′oʟ̣łîñ djat łqên, g̣a′oʟ̣łîñ.” Uiê′dhao lᴀ la daogoa′ʼga giên gᴀm gī′na gut qꜝałgā′gᴀñas. Giên l’ qatcꜝa′s giên xadᴀ′ñ gi lᴀ suuda′si: “Hā′da-i, gᴀm gī′na gut qꜝałg̣ᴀ′ñga.” Giên hᴀn la ê′sîñ gī′tg̣ᴀñ sū′udas “Kia axᴀ′nhao xā′g̣odigᴀni, djat łqên.” Uiê′dhao î′sîñ g̣a lᴀ qā′x̣uł. Î′sîñ gī lᴀ qî′nskiasi. “Hā′da-i, djixu′l sg̣u′nhao kiä xā′g̣odiga.” “Hao ī′djîn, djat łqên.” Giên la xā′sʟ­tcꜝasi giên kīdjia′osi. Giên wa′g̣alᴀña-i xᴀ′nłgui lᴀ g̣ā′dᴀsi giên hᴀn l’ sī′wus “Ga-i g̣e′istᴀ qꜝadjā′wa-i djat łqên.”)
He (the hunter) then went up to one farther inland. When he came in sight of it one also lay in that. He pulled it out. Now, when he took his knife they also sang through him: Giên didᴀx̣ū′stᴀ lā′na g̣a ê′sîñ lᴀ qa′-îł. La g̣ᴀn lᴀ g̣atqea′sgida-i ʟ̣ū lᴀ g̣a î′sîñ nᴀñ ʟ̣′g̣odi. La ê′sîñ lᴀ dᴀñʟ̣′stᴀ uiêd la g̣ᴀn î′sîñ sqā′wa-i lᴀ g̣agī′ga-i ʟ̣ū la g̣ei î′sîñ lᴀ sg̣alᴀ′nʟꜝxa.
Chief, chief [that I am], When the sun rises I start traveling about. [Now] I am lying under the deadfall. Chief, chief [that I am]. 𝄆 “Ha la ye he ha la hala′ñ ha lâ yâ hâ lâ hâ li ha 𝄆 hâlī′x̣iesi chief, 𝄇 | hali 𝄆 x̣ie′sahalañ chief 𝄇 𝄇 Ha ha djigwi′s sun hao qag̣a′-i rises stᴀ ga then hagū′thao about ł qa′sgut start I traveling gīgiê′nhūs dead falls xē′txa under dī I ʟ̣g̣a′ogwañ. am lying about. Halâ′yi hē yē 𝄆 hâlī′x̣ias. chief. 𝄇
When he had gone farther back he came to still another in a deadfall. He also pulled that out. When he took out his knife that also sang through him: Ga′-istᴀ didᴀx̣ui′ lᴀ qa-ila′-i gu î′sîñ nᴀñ ga qā′dagadi. La ê′sîñ lᴀ dᴀñʟ̣′stᴀ. La g̣ᴀn sqawa′-i lᴀ g̣agī′ga-i ʟ̣ū î′sîñ la g̣ei lᴀ sg̣alᴀ′nʟꜝxa. [[99]]
Chief, chief [that I am], my power is all taken away, My power is all taken away. Chief, chief [that I am], my power is all taken away, My power is all taken away. Chief, chief [that I am]. 𝄆 𝄆 “Ha ē⁺līx̣ia Chief.
(repeated four times) 𝄇 hēlē 𝄇 𝄆 dī gut gī′łdjiwa-i my bravery, strength, etc., ga qî′nx̣it-hatꜝᴀ′lgañ. is all taken away. 𝄇 𝄆 ha ē⁺līx̣ia chief.
(repeated five times) 𝄇 𝄆 Dī gut gī′łdjiwa-i ga qînx̣it-hatꜝᴀ′lgañ My power is all taken away. 𝄇 hâlīx̣iâsâwa-i⁺ chief, 𝄇 hâlī′x̣ias. chief. 𝄇
After he had sung this song through he went still farther up. One lay in that also. He pulled it out. When he began to skin it it began to sing as before: A′nis sg̣ā′lᴀña-i ga lᴀ sugī′ga-i ʟ̣ū î′sîñ didᴀx̣ui′ lᴀ qa′-îł. Lᴀ g̣a î′sîñ nᴀñ ʟ̣′g̣odi. La ê′sîñ lᴀ dᴀñʟ̣′stᴀ. Lᴀ la ʟ̣′stᴀx̣idia′-i ʟ̣ū ałgwᴀ′nxᴀn l’ sg̣alᴀ′ñx̣idi.
Chief, chief, whither did my great brother[6] wander proudly? My mind shakes as I go about. Chief, chief. [[98]] 𝄆 “Hâlīx̣iâ Chief, hâ hâ hâ hâ 𝄇 gīdjā′x̣ui which way gī′hao dī dā′ga my brother qō′naiya-i great qaᴀ′ndju⁺dal hē lē. proudly travels about Dī My qꜝā′ñᴀłg̣a mind g̣a in hî′ldᴀñda′lgᴀñ. while I go around is shaking. 𝄆 Hâlīx̣iâ Chief.
(repeated three times) hâ hâ hâ hâ 𝄇 𝄆 Hâlī′xias. Chief.
(recited) 𝄇
When he went up from that place he came to where another was caught. He pulled it out. This was the seventh. When he again took his knife it began singing as before: Ga′-istᴀ ê′sîñ dī′tgi lᴀ qa-ila′-i ʟ̣ū î′sîñ tān xᴀn ga qꜝadaga′dies. Giên lᴀ la dᴀ′ñʟ̣stas. Lᴀ dᴀ′ñat djī′guaga-g̣eił. Î′sîñ la g̣ᴀn sqawa′-i lᴀ g̣agī′ga-i ʟ̣ū ałgwᴀ′nxᴀn l’ sg̣alᴀ′nx̣idi.
Chief, chief, tell me where he fell.[7] I do not know the place. Chief, chief, chief. 𝄆 “Halīx̣iâsē ē Chief,
(repeated six or seven times) 𝄇 gīdjax̣ui′gī⁺ which way (where) kugwaiya [did he] fall da′og̣o for si′la-i the place ga′odiañ â absent from (or is wanting) 𝄆 Halīx̣iâsē ē Chief.
(repeated four times, voice falling at the end) 𝄇 𝄆 Hâlīx̣ias. Chief.
(recited) 𝄇
That day he took out ten black bears. But his father died of thirst. Ten black bears were taken in the deadfalls, and each of these sang a song through the mouth of the human being. My informant, however, knew only seven of these. [[95]] Tā′na-i ʟa′ałao wᴀ g̣e′igi lᴀ iʟꜝxai′yag̣ᴀn. L’ g̣ō′ñg̣a ʟꜝᴀ qadao′­kꜝotwā′lag̣ᴀn. Hao ʟ g̣e′idᴀñ. [[100]]
[1] The word for chief used here, Halī′x̣ias, is supposed to be that employed by the Black-bear people or perhaps generally by the supernatural beings. It is used as a refrain and often is repeated many more times than I have represented. [↑] [2] The black bears are supposed to have had a trail from one end of the Queen Charlotte islands to the other, and back of Tasoo harbor there was supposed to be a hole in the mountains through which they passed. [↑] [3] Referring to the episode narrated just below. [↑] [4] Explains the reference in the last song. The first part of this episode tells how Marten danced for his younger brother Black-bear, who was being killed in the deadfall, and sang the same songs that came out through the hunter; the remainder goes back farther to explain the words of the last songs. Either Black-bear left none of the salmon but the worthless parts for Marten to carry home or Marten ate them himself. [↑] [5] See the story of [The-one-abandoned-for-eating-the-flipper-of-a-hair-seal], note [3]. The word translated “gills” (djixu′l) is supposed to be in the Marten language. [↑] [6] The bear’s sister is supposed to sing this. [↑] [7] Probably also supposed to be sung by the bear’s sister. [↑]

His younger brother having disappeared, Marten traveled around this island rapidly.[4] He then heard people singing [these songs]. And he sent word back quickly. He said: “The human beings have already finished singing.” He immediately turned his marten-skin upside down and held his beating stick to dance for his younger [[96]]brother. And they now made the words of the songs we are singing. Then he acted as if he were choked. They then said: “Go and get the chief.” And they held him up. Marten was Black-bear’s elder brother.

One fall both had been gathering salmon, and he said to Black-bear: “Younger brother, stand in the creek downstream. I will stand above in the creek. I will float down to you the bodies of those I kill.”

They did it at once, and his younger brother, Black-bear, went into the creek below and stood there. Now, as soon as Marten got into the creek above he floated one down, and his younger brother below threw it out.

He was at some distance from where they lived. After he had been gone for some time he came in to his wife and children, and as he caressed his children he said: “Fresh salmon, my daughter, fresh salmon.” Now, she went out to get them and saw nothing. Then she came in and said to her father: “Father, I saw nothing there.” And he said to his daughter: “They lie just outside, my daughter.” Now, she again went out. Again she could not find them. “Father, only gills [with entrails attached] lie outside.” “Those are the things, my daughter.” She then brought them in and roasted them. And he went opposite to where they were being cooked and said: “[Give me] the milt of a salmon.”[5].

[[Contents]]

Fight at the Town of Da′x̣ua [Told by Moses McKay, sole survivor of the Seaward-Sqoā′ładas] Fight at the Town of Da′x̣ua
From Da′x̣ua Ya′ʼgît sent to Masset inlet for a canoe. He belonged to the Seaward-Sqoā′ładas.[1] He was town chief at Da′x̣ua. After some time had passed they brought the canoe to him. Then, although Ya′ʼgît owned it, while it was being brought Sg̣agᴀ′ño[2] bought the canoe, his (Ya′ʼgît’s) head slave being then away fishing.[3] His (the slave’s) name was Yū′lᴀñ. Da′x̣ua lnaga′-i g̣e′istᴀ hao Ya′ʼgît G̣ao g̣a ʟ̣ū da′ʼg̣ag̣ᴀ′n gi kiñgugā′ñag̣ᴀn. Djax̣ui′ sqoā′ładagag̣ᴀn. La′hao Da′x̣ua lnaga′-i gu lā′na-aog̣agā′g̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao ga′-istᴀ g̣a′g̣et qa′odihao ʟua′-i lᴀ gi ʟꜝ qꜝā′-isʟʟꜝxatcꜝai′yag̣ᴀni. Giê′nhao ha′oxᴀn Ya′ʼgît l’ daʼg̣a′-i wa g̣a qā′gᴀndixᴀn Sg̣agᴀ′ño ʟuwa′-i daʼg̣ā′g̣ani hā′lgui sū′g̣a lā′g̣a nᴀñ ku′ndjaowaga′g̣ani xaoya′nag̣ani sila′-ig̣a ᴀ. Yū′lᴀñ hᴀ′nhao l’ kig̣ai′ag̣ᴀn.
He now came in from fishing. Then they said to him: “Yū′lᴀñ, Sg̣agᴀ′ño has bought the canoe.” He at once became angry because they had taken away the canoe from his master. Then he chewed native tobacco. After that he tried to mix calcined shells with it, but he was so angry he shoved it outside [of his mouth] against his cheek.[4] Uiê′dhao l’ xaoî′ntcꜝawag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao hᴀn lᴀ gi ʟꜝ sā′wag̣ᴀn “Yū′lᴀñ, Sg̣agᴀ′ño ʟuwa′-i da’′gani.” Gañā′xᴀnhao l’ stꜝexag̣ia′la­g̣ani l’ qꜝo′lg̣ᴀ stᴀ ʟuwa′-i ʟꜝ da-isda′si g̣aga′n ᴀ. Giê′nhao xā′-ida gu′lg̣a la xagadjai′yag̣ᴀn. Wᴀ ʟ̣g̣a gwa′ga-i lᴀ sʟtcꜝā′-i kia′ʼgustᴀ ʟꜝa tcꜝidᴀ′ñ lᴀ sʟꜝî′ñałañdigoañag̣ᴀn.
And at night he went to the place where the canoe lay. He then said: “Are you awake in the canoe?” And the one in the bow and the one in the stern replied. “We are,” they said to him. And he further said to them: “It is well that you are. They say that Yū′lañ says that he is going to break up this canoe.” Giê′nhao sî′ñx̣ias giên gia′gu ʟuwa′-i gīg̣odia′si g̣a lᴀ qā′-idag̣ani. Giê′nhao hᴀn l’ sā′wag̣ᴀn: “Dalᴀ′ñ gua ʟuwa′-i gū′g̣a skiä′na-igiñ.” Giên sqꜝeū′x̣ua lᴀ gi nᴀñ ā′⁺ñas giên tꜝā′ng̣a î′sîñ gañā′ñ. “Tꜝalᴀ′ñ g̣e′idᴀñ” hᴀn hao lᴀ gi ʟꜝ sā′wag̣ᴀn. Giên “Dalᴀ′ñ g̣e′idag̣a-i lā′ga. Yū′lañ ʟuwa′-i g̣ei dalᴀ′ñg̣a qꜝatnanᴀ′ñsîñᴀ′ñ ʟꜝ sū′gᴀñ,” hᴀn hao la xᴀn sā′wag̣ᴀn.
And after he had waited some time longer, and it was midnight, he went there again. And he spoke as before. And again they answered him. He again went away. Giên ga′-istᴀ lᴀ gū′tg̣a qa′odi g̣al-ya′ku la g̣ela′-i ʟ̣ū î′sîñ g̣a lᴀ qā′-idag̣ani. Giên ku′ng̣ada l’ sā′wag̣ᴀn gañā′ñ î′sîñ l’ sā′wag̣ᴀn. Giên î′sîñ lᴀ gi ʟꜝ kîłg̣adā′g̣ᴀn. Giên î′sîñ stᴀ lᴀ qā′-idag̣ani.
And just before dawn, at the hour when it is always dark, he went thither once more. He again asked: “Are you awake?” And they did not answer him. He then struck upon the bow with his stone ax, and one who was with him struck upon the stern. They split the canoe into pieces. They then went away to the house. Giê′nhao ga′-istᴀ sî′ñg̣aʟ̣an kꜝiū′stᴀ g̣alg̣agî′lgᴀñᴀs ʟ̣ū′hao î′sîñ g̣a lᴀ qa-idā′g̣ᴀni. Giê′nhao î′sîñ l’ kiäna′ñag̣ᴀn: “Dalᴀ′ñ gua skiä′­nadia?” Giê′nhao gᴀm xᴀ′ñgiañ lᴀ gi ʟꜝ sug̣ā′ñag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao sqꜝe′ux̣ua łg̣ā-ʟꜝua′-i lᴀ skîtkꜝū′dju giên lᴀ gi nᴀñ ʟ̣dadjā′g̣ᴀn î′sîñ tꜝā′ñg̣a nᴀñ skîtgudjā′wag̣ᴀn. ʟua′-i lᴀ skîtskꜝā′mᴀłg̣o. Giê′nhao na gi stᴀ lᴀ gᴀ′ndax̣îtg̣āwag̣ᴀn.
When daylight came and people knew that he had smashed the canoe they all moved at once. They put on their armor to fight one another. After they had put on their gorgets, helmets, and hide coats they went out to fight one another with spears and bows. Uiê′dhao siñg̣aʟ̣ana′-i ʟ̣ū ʟuwa′-i g̣ei lᴀ skitłaga′-i g̣ᴀn ʟꜝ u′nsᴀt­dala′-i ʟ̣ū tꜝa′łg̣awai′yag̣ᴀn. Gañaxᴀ′nhao gutxᴀ′nłag̣a gut g̣ᴀn ʟꜝ gia′-îłaiyag̣ᴀn. Qꜝōg̣ā′gīga-i sqē′łdadjiña-i kꜝî′tg̣agīga-i g̣eiłgīga′-i ʟ̣ū′hao tca′aʟ at łg̣ēt at gut ʟꜝ daowa′ʼgag̣ᴀn.
Now, after they had fought for a while, they shot Yū′lᴀñ in one eye and put it out. He went to the house. And after he had sat in the house for a while news came to him: “Yū′lᴀñ, we are being worsted.” At once he again went out to fight. And after he had begun to drive them back they put out his other eye. Uiê′dhao gut ʟꜝ î′sdadi qa′⁺odihao Yū′lañ xᴀ′ñē sg̣oa′na ʟꜝ tcꜝidā′lag̣ᴀn. Uiê′dhao na gi l’ qā′-idag̣ᴀn. Giên na l’ qꜝao-u qa′odi î′sîñ lᴀ gi ʟꜝ kindatcꜝai′yag̣ᴀn: “Yū′lañ, ʟꜝᴀ ʟꜝ qatꜝa′g̣o-gutg̣a′ndax̣idig̣a.” Gañaxᴀ′nhao î′sîñ l’ da′ox̣idag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao lᴀ x̣îtstatax̣îtx̣idaiya′-i ʟ̣ū l’ xᴀ′ñē sg̣oa′na î′sîñ lā′g̣a ʟꜝ tcꜝidā′lag̣ᴀn.
He then crept to the house. While he was creeping along he fell into a deep hole into which they used to defecate. Then he was creeping into [the house] all covered with ordure. And his master’s wife said to him: “Yū′lᴀñ, you never used to ask how an affair was [[102]]started.[5] Look at yourself.” “Well, noble woman, it is not so bad as if I sat below by the creek.”[6] Giê′nhao na gi agᴀ′ñ l’ ʟx̣uqā′-idag̣ᴀn. L’ qagīg̣ᴀñᴀ′ndixᴀn qoa′n­łg̣agiᴀ′ñ g̣ei l’ ʟ̣g̣oetcꜝai′yag̣ᴀn. Giên l’ na′g̣a-ʟ̣djus dᴀ′ñat agᴀ′ñ lᴀ ʟx̣uqatcꜝai′yag̣ᴀn. Ḷū′hao l’ qꜝo′lg̣a djā′g̣a l’ sū′daiyag̣ᴀn: [[103]]“Yū′lañ, gᴀm gī′na g̣ēt ku′nłg̣ala-i gī dā kiä′nᴀñg̣ᴀ′ñgᴀñgîn. Gu dā qîñ.” “A î′ldjao, gī′na dā′g̣ᴀña tꜝa′g̣a qꜝa′o-uwa-i gañā′ñ ʟguag̣ē da′ogus.”
Yū′lᴀñ could then do nothing. And his friends G̣a′nqꜝatxa and Sa′diya passed. They alone fought. But still the Seaward-sqoā′ładas won the day.[7] Giê′nhao gᴀm ʟgu g̣e′itłiña-i Yū′lañ g̣ᴀn qea′ñg̣agag̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao l’ djī′gîn G̣ā′nqꜝatxa qā wai′giên Sadiyā′ ê′sîñ. Ga-i sg̣u′nxᴀnhao g̣agā′lañ îsdadai′yag̣ᴀni. Skiä′xᴀnhao Djax̣ui′-sqoa′ładaga-i gui ga-i g̣e′igî qayä′lag̣ani.
Then Sg̣agᴀ′ño and his family fled to the woods. They were not then called Pebble-town people. Sg̣agᴀ′ño’s family came to Pebble-town and bought it. And the Sea-otter people[8] sold the town. Then they had a town there. The interest of this story lies in the fact that it tells of the first civil disturbance among the people of Skidegate inlet, which ultimately led a part of them to move to the west coast. This version was obtained from the last survivor of the Seaward-Sqoā′ładas. Another, differing in some particulars, was obtained in English from Wī′nats, chief of the Seaward Gîtî′ns, also an inlet family, and may be found in Publications of the Jesup North Pacific Expedition, volume V, part I, page 80. The town of Da′x̣ua stood just north of Lawn hill, at the entrance of Skidegate inlet. [[101]] Giê′nhao Sg̣ag̣ᴀ′ño gwai′giagᴀñᴀñ dᴀ′ñat gᴀ′nstaiyag̣ᴀn. Gᴀm xᴀn wa′ʟ̣u Łg̣ā′xet-gu-lā′nas hᴀn ʟꜝ kig̣adagā′ñag̣ᴀni. Giê′nhao Łg̣ā′xet lnaga′-i gi Sg̣ag̣ᴀ′ñogaña wa′daxaʟꜝxaiyāg̣ᴀn. Giê′nhao Qogā′ñas lnaga′-i at giê′tagā′g̣ᴀni. Giê′nhao gu lᴀ lanadag̣eiłg̣ā′­wag̣ᴀn. [[104]]
[1] One of the leading Raven families of Skidegate inlet. See [notes] to the story of the [House-point families]. [↑] [2] Chief of the family afterward known as Pebble-town people (see below). They were originally part of the Middle-town people. [↑] [3] Even in Haida the construction of this sentence is awkward, and translation makes it worse. [↑] [4] His anger was so great that he could not control his arm. [↑] [5] Because he was always ready for a fight. [↑] [6] That is, “as if I were away.” The woman taunts him that he who was always foremost in fighting should be in that condition, and he replies that the warriors succeed better when he is along than when he is away. [↑] [7] According to another informant the Pebble-town people won, but fled to the woods for fear of the blood vengeance sure to follow. This, however, seems to be a mistake. [↑] [8] See [notes] to the story of [He-who-travels-behind-us]. [↑]

[[Contents]]

War between the West Coast Haida and the Tlingit [Told by Richard of the Middle-Gîtî′ns] War between the West Coast Haida and the Tlingit
The Tlingit destroyed Those-born-at-Stasaos[1] in Skidegate channel. For that reason ten canoes went to war from Gū′dᴀl,[2] and three canoes of us came apart from the rest [when we were] among the Tlingit. Then they (the others) plundered. They destroyed a fort. On that account they had many slaves. Sta′saos qē′g̣awa-i hao Łî′nagîts kꜝē′djîs g̣a ha-ilū′dasg̣aiyagᴀn. Ga-i tꜝa′guhao Gudᴀ′l stᴀ ʟū g̣aʟa′ał gu ʟꜝ qa′-idaogᴀn. Giê′nhao Łî′nagîts sū′g̣a ʟꜝᴀ′stᴀ iʟꜝ g̣ałg̣u′nuł g̣atxadī′djîñ. Giê′nhao ga-i taskidā′ñagᴀni. Tꜝa′odjî hao ʟꜝ qꜝai′yuwaidaiyagᴀn. Wa′athao tā′gidjîgida-i qoa′ngᴀni.
Then we landed on a fine beach, not knowing where the Tlingit lived, and we started a fire. We acted as if we were visitors. And after we had had a big fire there for some time seven Tlingit came to us in a canoe. They asked us: “What warriors are these?” Then Skᴀ′ngwai’s father said: “We are not warriors. We come to buy food of you.” And they said: “No; you are warriors.” Then we denied it. We told them to come near shore, and they entered the mouth of the inlet. Giên ga tā′djia lā gu Łî′nagîts gᴀm ʟgu naxᴀña′-i g̣ᴀn iʟꜝ u′nsᴀtg̣ᴀñgᴀn giên tꜝalᴀ′ñ tcꜝā′nug̣adagᴀn. Agᴀ′ñ tꜝalᴀ′ñ qaʟū′­īdjiña′g̣eiłdigᴀn. Giê′nhao gu gîndja′oga-i î′sdi qa′odihao ʟꜝa g̣ᴀ′nstᴀ ga Łî′nagîda tcꜝadjī′guag̣aga g̣a ʟuqā′ʟꜝxagᴀn. Giê′nhao hᴀn iʟꜝ at kiänᴀ′ñgᴀn: “Gī′ʟ̣g̣ᴀn qa-idawa′-i hao ē′djîn.” Giê′nhao Skᴀ′ngwai g̣ō′ñg̣a hᴀn sū′gᴀñ: “Gᴀm tꜝalᴀ′ñ qa′idaog̣ᴀñgᴀn. Gatā′hao dalᴀ′ñ gi tꜝalᴀ′ñ dā′xo-î′ngᴀn.” Giên hᴀn sū′gᴀni “Ga′oano dalᴀ′ñ qa-idā′­wagᴀn.” Giê′nhao gī ʟꜝ qā′dagᴀne. Giên dia′nᴀñ ʟꜝ gā′yiñxᴀlgᴀni giên g̣ag̣aga′-i g̣ei qā′x̣iatcꜝigᴀni.
And after he (one of them) had talked for a while, he said: “Get [into] the canoe. I do not understand their pronunciation.”[3] As soon as they got [into] the canoe they went off in fright. Then we pursued. [The other canoes] shot at them, one from each side, and we were behind. And after we had shot for a while we upset them near an island. One whom we had shot lay there, having fallen out into the water. Then Xᴀ′ñxogutg̣as[4] and his brothers started to get out to fight, and I stopped them. Giên g̣a lᴀ kîłgu′ldi qa′odi hᴀn l’ sū′gᴀn: “ʟua′-i łᴀ da′og̣o. Kî′łgulia-i ł kî′lsgudaiyagᴀni.” Gañā′xᴀnhao ʟua′-i ʟꜝ da′oga-i ʟ̣ū ga′-itg̣oqa-idᴀni. Giê′nhao g̣ō′ʟ̣ag̣a ʟꜝ djîskī′dᴀni. Dagwu′lgî ga g̣astî′ñ xā′dasi ā′xᴀn tcꜝînłg̣oa′ñgᴀni. Giên tꜝalᴀ′ñ î′sîñ g̣ō′tgi g̣atꜝē′djᴀni. Giê′nhao ʟꜝ tcꜝî′nłg̣oañgîn qa′odi nᴀñ gwai′ya gu ʟꜝ tcꜝîtgutꜝᴀ′łdagîlgᴀn. Gū′g̣a nᴀñ ʟꜝ tcꜝigā′gᴀni ʟua′-i gug̣e′istᴀ g̣ā′yuwa-i g̣ei ʟ̣x̣ia′ñgāgîñgᴀn. Giê′nhao Xᴀ′ñxogutg̣as-gā′ña l’ da′otꜝᴀłx̣idigᴀn giên g̣a ł qꜝa-igidᴀ′lgᴀn.
After that we went away and started across [to the Queen Charlotte islands]. The wind blew strong from the north. In the middle of the night a great wind arose. The canoe was split. I nailed the parts together with some staples I had. We also tied ropes round the canoe. Some of us cried from fright. We thought the other canoes had capsized. This was the first time I experienced a strong wind since I was grown. Giê′nhao wᴀ stᴀ îsdax̣ī′dᴀni gañā′xᴀn ʟuda′ogᴀni. Qꜝa′ʼgustᴀ tā′dju yuᴀ′ngᴀn. G̣āl ya′ku ʟꜝᴀ gi tadja′o g̣ā′tg̣oyuᴀ′ngᴀn. ʟua′-i g̣a ʟgū′sʟgᴀni. Dī ga kꜝᴀtłg̣askiä′lu ī′djîn at łᴀ qā′tgogᴀni. Îsîñ ʟuᴀ′-i ʟꜝ łg̣adjigū′sʟgᴀni. ʟꜝ īłī′ łg̣osg̣ā′-igagᴀñgîn. Djigî′n xā′txatgwañ tꜝalᴀ′ñ gudᴀ′ñgᴀni. A′hao ʟnōt dī inā′sʟ g̣ᴀ′nstᴀ tadja′o ʟā′djîga ł g̣ā′ndᴀñgᴀn.
At daybreak we were in front of Paint mountain.[5] And after we had sailed from there for a while I shouted: “He he he he he; chiefs’ nephews whom I have for sons-in-law, do not let your minds be downcast. We go out to have a warm time. Make your minds strong.” Then they stopped weeping. G̣a-iʟ̣ū′hao sîñgaʟ̣ana′-i gu Mas-ʟdag̣a′os xē′tgu lᴀ gi sîñgaʟ̣a′nga. Giê′nhao wᴀ stᴀ x̣uqa′-îłgîñ qa′odi qagᴀ′ndjūñ ła g̣atgadā′gᴀni: “He he he he he ē′ʟꜝxagît nā′tg̣alᴀñ ł qō′nᴀldᴀgᴀn gᴀm xē′da gudᴀñā′ñ g̣eidᴀg̣ᴀ′ñg̣o. Gī′hao tꜝalᴀ′ñ îsx̣iā′gᴀni a′hao ga kꜝī′na tꜝalᴀ′ñ g̣ā′ndᴀñgîñga. Gudᴀñā′ña ʟā′djîgadᴀg̣o.” Ḷū′hao sg̣a′-iłia-i ʟan g̣î′lgᴀni.
Some time after that our canoe came to Gwi′gwᴀñ-bay,[6] and there was one canoe there. There we spent the night. When we left next day another sail came in sight from Skidegate. Then we saw each other. And we were glad to see each other. And when we came to Gū′dᴀl the [other] warriors had taken thirty-eight slaves. We were [[106]]ashamed. Then it was reported that a woman said of us: “What open place do they keep going out for, I wonder?”[7] We immediately prepared for war. Giên ga′istᴀ qā qa′odi Gwī′gwᴀñ-sʟꜝîñ gu ē′ʟꜝg̣a qaʟꜝxagî′lgᴀni giên ʟua′-i ga sg̣oa′na ê′sîñ wᴀ gu īdjā′gᴀni. Gu ʟꜝ g̣ā′ldagᴀne. Dag̣ala′-ig̣a stᴀ ʟꜝ qasā′g̣aga-i ʟ̣ū ga g̣asg̣oa′na î′sîñ Łg̣agî′lda stᴀ gīx̣iawa′-i gī′sdagani. Giên gu ʟꜝ qî′ñgᴀn. Giên guta′t agᴀ′ñ ʟꜝ xᴀña′lgᴀn. Giên Gudᴀ′l gu ʟꜝ î′sʟꜝxaga-i ʟ̣ū ʟꜝ qa′ido-î′ndjawagᴀn [[107]]xᴀ′ldañ ʟa′ala-i łg̣u′nuł wᴀ gi stā′nsᴀñxa ʟꜝ î′sdagialagᴀn. Iʟꜝ g̣e′ida­xagᴀn. Ḷū′hao nᴀñ djā′da hᴀn iʟꜝ sudā′ñ ʟꜝ sū′gᴀñ: “Gī′ʟg̣ᴀn gadjā′wasi gī′hao lᴀ ga′-itax̣uñgwa′-ani.” Ḷū′hao g̣eidā′ñ xᴀn tꜝalᴀ′ñ qa′idox̣idigᴀn.
The people went then to the camps from Gū′dᴀl. And after they had fished for some time the fish were dried. Then we went to war in four canoes. We started across from North island.[8] We went against the Klawak[9] people. Giê′nhao Gudᴀ′l stᴀ ʟgᴀnła′ñ g̣ei ʟꜝ qasā′gīgᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣u ʟꜝ xao qa′odi qꜝā′g̣asʟgᴀni. Giên ʟū g̣astᴀ′nsîñ gu ʟꜝ qa′-idogᴀn. Giê′nhao Qꜝā-its-gwai′ya-i stᴀ tꜝalᴀ′ñ ʟuda′⁺ogᴀn. Łᴀwa′k xā′-idag̣a-i hao tꜝalᴀ′ñ tā′ng̣agᴀn.
We pulled up our canoes at the mouth of the inlet. The next day we again went up the inlet. We went, went, went for a while and landed where there was a strong tidal current. In one [stream] there were plenty of dog salmon. After we had been there a while [we saw] some broad sails coming from above. And it (the canoe) landed below the place where we had pulled up our canoes. He (the owner) had his wife and two slaves. Then he got off and put on his cartridge box. And he passed up near the place where we were watching. After he had gone a slave killed dog salmon in the creek with stones. During all that time they talked Tlingit to one another. And they started a fire at the foot of a tree which stood near them. Ga′iʟ̣uhao g̣a′oga-i qꜝe-ū′g̣a ʟua′-i ʟꜝ ʟꜝstagî′lgᴀni. Dag̣ala′-ig̣a î′sîñ ʟꜝ ʟu-î′sdax̣îtłgᴀn. Isdā′lgᴀni. Qa′odi nᴀñ djī′wa-i djē′gᴀs gu ʟuwa′-i ʟꜝ ʟstagî′lgᴀni, nᴀñ g̣a sqā′gî qoa′na gu ᴀ. ʟ̣! g̣ētg̣ᴀ′ndi qa′⁺odi sa′stᴀ ga gīx̣ia′wa-i gaostᴀtꜝᴀ′lgᴀn. Giê′nhao ga′gu ʟua′-i ʟꜝ ʟstagilā′digᴀni gu ʟꜝ xē′tgu lᴀ g̣askī′dᴀn. L’ djā′g̣a îsî′s giên xᴀ′ldᴀña-i î′sîñ lā′g̣a stî′ñgᴀni. L’ qatꜝᴀ′lgᴀn giên g̣eiga′ñ g̣ᴀlqa′-i­giga-i lᴀ daqa′-iłgᴀni. Giê′nhao ʟꜝ g̣ētg̣ᴀ′ndies ʟꜝa gut lᴀ qā′łgᴀn. Giê′nhao nᴀñ xᴀ′ldᴀñas l’ sila′-ig̣a sqā′gi gī g̣ᴀ′nʟa-i g̣ei lᴀ qꜝadjū′gᴀni. Kꜝiä′łhao Łî′nagît kî′łg̣agî gutg̣ā′ lᴀ kîłgulg̣ō′gᴀn. Giên ʟꜝ qꜝō′łg̣a qa-it giagᴀ′ñgᴀn qꜝo′lgî lᴀ tcꜝā′nog̣adag̣ogᴀn.
By and by, when evening came, he came down. From afar he spoke Tlingit to them. Three persons presently came along behind him. When two reports were heard the people ran down. The slaves already had their hands in it (the canoe). The gun box was untouched. There were five [guns] in it. Since he had come there he had lain down on his back and spoken in the Tlingit language. The roasted salmon was still stuck in the ground.[10] Qa′odi sîñx̣aiya′-i ʟ̣ū la qaʟꜝxā′sgag̣ᴀni. Wā′djx̣ui xᴀn g̣a lᴀ djîłgita′ogadalgᴀni. Qa′odihao l’ dī′tg̣a ga łg̣u′nuł gᴀndax̣ī′dᴀn. Djigwa′-i sqꜝastî′ñ wᴀ gu qꜝadō′gaga′-i ʟ̣ū g̣a ʟꜝ x̣a′ostagᴀni. Tagī′­djigida-i ʟgī′xᴀn wa g̣ei ʟꜝ qᴀngixā′ñgᴀni. Djī′gu g̣oda′-i wa g̣a gᴀm gīdjigî′łdag̣agᴀn. Sqꜝaʟe′ił wa g̣a īdjā′gᴀni. L’ qā′ʟꜝxas gu lᴀ ta-ig̣ā′gîtwas gu Łî′nagît kî′łg̣agî lᴀ kiłgulai′agᴀn. Ha′oxᴀn wa′g̣alᴀña-i kîtsgîlagā′gᴀni.
Then they shot him from in front. And then he exclaimed: “What people have done this to me? Save me.”[11] Then he (the assailant) shot him again with a pistol. A male slave, however, escaped into the woods. And when they ran down to his canoe there were cuts of whale in it. By that time they were speaking Kaigani[12] together. I then said to them: “Why did you, who are Haida, talk Tlingit? We would not have touched you.” Then she (his wife) said: “We did not think anything like this would happen.” Ḷū′hao l’ qᴀn g̣ei lᴀ ʟꜝ tcꜝigā′gᴀn. Ḷū⁺ ʟꜝa hᴀn l’ sā′wagᴀn: “Giʟg̣ᴀ′n xa-idᴀg̣a′-i hao dī î′sdañ. Dī łᴀ qagᴀ′ndᴀ-kuxa′ogu.” Giê′nhao djī′gu kꜝudja′o at î′sîñ lᴀ la tcꜝigā′gᴀn. Nᴀñ xᴀ′ldᴀña īłinagā′gᴀn ʟꜝa agᴀ′ñ tꜝaqagᴀ′ngîlgᴀn. Giên ʟua′-i lā′g̣a ʟꜝ da′ox̣ît­sg̣agᴀna-i kun lᴀ qꜝeidā′gᴀn lā′g̣a gā′yiñgîñgᴀn. ʟʟ̣a la ê′sîñ gu′tg̣a Qꜝeits xā′-idᴀg̣a-i kî′łg̣agî gu′tg̣a lᴀ kîłgu′lg̣ogᴀn. Ḷū′hao hᴀn lᴀ ł sudag̣ō′gᴀn: “Gasî′nʟao dalᴀ′ñ Xā′-idᴀg̣as skꜝiä′xᴀn gu′tg̣a Łî′nagît kî′łg̣agî dalᴀ′ñ kîłgulā′-udjañ. Gᴀm dalᴀ′ñ g̣a tꜝalᴀ′ñ ʟā′gaskig̣ā′ñaxᴀñga.” Ḷū′hao hᴀn l’ sūgᴀn “Hᴀ′nʟgua gī′na g̣ā′-itgasañ tꜝalᴀ′ñ gudᴀñō′-udjî.”
And when they got ready to start she said: “Those who came with us have a fire on the other side. They are Klawak people.” In the night we went over to them. And we landed near. We ran toward them. The fire there was large. And after we had gone toward it for a while we peeped over a log. They lay asleep around the fire. Ḷū′hao ʟꜝ dag̣a-ilansʟia′-i ʟ̣ū hᴀn l’ sū′gᴀn: “Inax̣ua′hao iʟꜝ ta′ogᴀn ga ē′djîn tcꜝā′nudig̣a. Łᴀwa′k xa-idᴀg̣a′-i hao ī′djî.” Giê′nhao g̣ā′lx̣ua tꜝalᴀ′ñ tā′ng̣ax̣îttꜝē′djîni. Giê′nhao qꜝō′łg̣a tꜝalᴀ′ñ g̣agadā′ñgᴀnî. Giên tꜝalᴀ′ñ da′ox̣idᴀnî. Tcꜝā′nuwa-i wᴀ gu yug̣odī′­gᴀnî. Giên g̣a agᴀ′ñ łkꜝî′nxet tꜝalᴀ′ñ gᴀndā′ldi qā′odi qꜝā′xo łgī′­g̣odia tꜝᴀ′lgî gi tꜝalᴀ′ñ gwasqā′ñgᴀnî. Tcꜝā′nuwa-i djî′nxa qꜝaxasʟg̣a­wā′gᴀnî.
Just before daybreak we ran upon them. Then we seized a man to enslave him. He resisted more fiercely than was expected. Then I shot him. He fell. Afterward he rose. When he ran they shot him again. After that he ran into the woods. We took all the property of the men. We took six slaves. Many, too, we killed. Giê′nhao sîñg̣aʟ̣andala′-i ʟ̣ū tꜝalᴀ′ñ daoʟꜝxa′gᴀni. Ḷū′hao nᴀñ ī′łiña ʟꜝ xᴀldā′ñg̣atda′gᴀnî. ʟꜝᴀ lᴀ qꜝaixagū′łdagᴀn. Giê′nhao lᴀ ł tcꜝī′gᴀn. L’ g̣atʟ̣skī′dᴀn. Ga′-istᴀ lᴀ gia′xaʟꜝxagᴀnî. L’ g̣adaga′-i [[109]]ʟ̣ū î′sîñ lᴀ ʟꜝ tcꜝī′gᴀn. Ga′-istᴀ l’ g̣atgî′lgᴀn. Iłî′ndjîda-i gī′nag̣a waʟ̣uxᴀ′nhao tꜝalᴀ′ñ gī′⁺gᴀn. Ga ʟg̣u′nuł hao tꜝalᴀ′ñ tagī′djîgîda′dᴀgᴀn. Qoan ê′sîñ ʟꜝ ʟꜝ′dagᴀnî.
Then we got into our canoes. We prepared to go. And we arrived over against Gᴀsqo.[13] In the night a south wind came suddenly upon [[108]]us, accompanied by rain. And after we had thrown over some of the property we went back. [By and by] we sailed over [to Gᴀsqo]. There was no place to land. But after we had gone on for a while we found a landing place. Much rain fell. Giê′nhao ʟꜝ qa′-idawa-qaʟ̣′gᴀn. Giê′nhao stᴀ ʟꜝ ʟu-îsdax̣ī′dᴀnî. Giên Gᴀsqo ʟā′stᴀxᴀn ʟꜝʟuda′ogᴀni. Ga-i g̣ala′-i g̣a īʟꜝ gi xe-u′ dala′ñ dᴀ′ñat sqꜝag̣e′idᴀnî. Giên ʟꜝ tadā′ñgî qa′odi ʟꜝ stī′łsg̣agᴀn. Ga′-iʟ̣u ʟꜝ x̣ūtî′sʟꜝxagîlgᴀn. Gᴀm ʟgu g̣a ʟꜝ gig̣a′ogial-łiña′-i ga′og̣ᴀñgᴀn. Giê′nhao ʟꜝ ʟu-îsdā′l qa′odihao gia′gu ī′sʟîña ʟꜝ qē′xagᴀn. Dala′-i gug̣oyū′ᴀngᴀn.
After we had been there for a while a slave stood up in the canoe. He called for his uncle’s supernatural helper. He did so because the rain chilled him. By and by the rain stopped and a north wind set in. Giên gut ʟꜝ î′sdi qa′odi ʟūgoag̣a nᴀñ xᴀ′ldᴀña gā′yiñgîñgᴀn. Qāñ sg̣ā′nag̣wa-i gī lᴀ kiägā′ñgᴀn. Dala′-i l’ gîñx̣uaiga′-i hao l’ gîñsū′gᴀn. Qa′odi l’ x̣îlgā′g̣ada-i gañā′xᴀn qꜝa′gustᴀ kwē′ʼg̣ax̣idigᴀn.
At once we started across [Dixon entrance]. We reached the islands the same day. The day after we sang war songs there. After we had remained there for a while we came to Tcꜝā′ał.[14] Gañā′xᴀnhao ʟꜝ ʟuda′ogᴀn. G̣ē′gixᴀn ʟꜝ ʟuda′oʟꜝxagîlgᴀn. Dag̣ala′-ig̣a gᴀ stᴀ ʟꜝ ī′djîñ gu ʟꜝ qa-idjū′ʟꜝxagᴀn. Ga′-igu ʟꜝ naxā′ñ qa′odi Tcꜝā′ał g̣a ʟꜝ ī′djîn.
Here is the end of this. [[105]] A′hao ʟan ā′sga-i g̣e′ida. [[110]]
[1] A Raven family at Tcꜝā′ał on the West Coast. [↑] [2] A camping place of the West Coast people. [↑] [3] Because the Haida spoke Tlingit with a foreign accent. [↑] [4] One of Richard’s brothers, that is, one belonging to his family in the large sense. [↑] [5] A mountain on Banks island, which lies on the east side of Hecate strait. [↑] [6] A bay that is close to Spit point at the entrance to Skidegate inlet. [↑] [7] A sarcastic reference to their nonsuccess. [↑] [8] The Haida name means “strait island,” referring no doubt to the narrow strait which separates it from Graham island. [↑] [9] A place still of considerable importance, having large canneries, on the west side of Prince of Wales island. [↑] [10] This part of the narrative is somewhat obscure. [↑] [11] He characterizes himself as of low caste in compliment to them: “Save me, your poor servant.” [↑] [12] “Language of the strait people.” It is almost identical with the Haida dialect of Masset. [↑] [13] Forrester island; see the story of [Łᴀguadjî′na], note [4]. [↑] [14] See story of [Sacred-one-standing-and-moving], note [31]. [↑]

ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

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