[The following short story, obtained by Professor Boas from Charlie Edenshaw, chief of the Stᴀ′stas at Masset, is added for purposes of comparison and as containing supplementary material.]
After the deluge, Naēku′n was the first place to emerge from the waters. People were holding a council to determine which way to go. While they were still deliberating a two-faced man came and asked them why they could not make up their minds, and told them which way to go.
At that time the Raven traveled all over the earth, and one day he found a cockle which was being thrown about by the waves. He heard a noise inside the shell. He went near to see what it was. He hid near by and discovered many children in the cockleshell. He opened it and found many people. Then he made towns. One of these he called Yaku lanas, another one Kuna lanas, and he gave all the families of the Haida their names. On the beach he made a town, Tas lanas; and in the woods he made one which he called Sʟeng lanas (“rear part of the house”).[18]
My informant, who is now chief of Those-born-at-House-point, began by saying that when the flood raised by Raven’s uncle subsided a woman was sitting upon House-point (i.e., Nekoon or Rose spit). This woman had four teats, each of which was owned by one of the Raven families of House-point, the Eggs of Skî′tg̣ao Rear-town people, Point-town people, Those-born-at-House-point. After her people had begun to increase they pulled grass over themselves, began to twirl one stick upon another to light fires and, since they had no canoes, floated their fishing lines off from the great spit. The story-teller probably intended these particulars to be included as part of his relation. I also have a Masset version of that part of the story which deals with the war at House-point. [[322]]
[1] A level spot back of the town. [↑]
[2] A hill south of Rose spit. [↑]
[3] The present Haida name. [↑]
[4] Aythya americana, Eyt. So identified by the story-teller himself in the museum at Victoria. Haida, qadjî′ñ-g̣ᴀl-g̣a′ksʟa-i. [↑]
[5] Inserted between the layers of cedar bark to be lined for roofing. [↑]