(1) kîtahtawê ôki nêhiyawak ôta,- pêhonân isiyîhkâtêw,- êkota ê-wîkicik, pêyak awa oskinîkiw ê-miyosit, êkwa ôhtâwiya ê-okimâwiyit, pêyakow; nama awiya wîtisâna. êkosi kitimâkêyimâw. namôya atoskêw ta-mâcît; namôya: piko pisisik ê-mêtawêt, wiyâkan mistikoyâkan êwako ê-mêtawâkêt; "ê-pakêsêt," isiyîhkâtêw êwako mêtawêwin. mâka mistahi sâkihtâw ôma mistikoyâkan, êkâ kâ-mêtawêt piko ê-pîmakâmêskahk ôma, ahpô ê-nipât âskaw ê-kikiskahk.

(1) Once upon a time when some Cree were staying right here, - Place-of-Waiting-for-Each-Other (Battleford) it is called, - there was a certain handsome youth whose father was chief, and he was an only child; he had no brothers or sisters. So he was tenderly cared for. He did no work in the way of hunting; instead, he always played, and what he played with was a cup, a wooden bowl; the cup-game this game is called. He was very much devoted to this wooden bowl; when he was not playing, he wore it on a strap round his shoulder, and even when he slept he sometimes kept it on his person.

(2) kîtahtawê ôma êkota ê-wa-wîkicik, kâ-pâpiciyit wâhyaw ohci sakâw-iyinîsa, mâka ê-macihtwâyit, ê-manitôwiyit. êkwa ê-âh-atâwêyit, atâwêwikamikohk itohtêwak ê-nisticik oskinîkiwak. kîtahtawê kâ-pîhtokêyit oskinîkiskwêwa. êkwa ôhi kisêyiniwa pôti nisto otawâsimisiyiwa, mistahi atâwâkana ê-pîhtokahâyit. sêmâk ôhi osîmimâwa akâwâtêw awa kâ-mêtawêsit.

(2) Then at one time, as they made a long stay here, one of those Bush-Fellows moved his camp here from afar, and he was one who practised evil, and a manitou person. Then, when he was doing his trading, three young men went to the trading-post. Presently some young women came into the house. It appeared that they were the old man's three daughters, and they were bringing a great store of furs into the post. At once he who was addicted to that game took a fancy to the youngest woman.

(3) "tâpwê miyosiw, nîscâs!" itêw ôhi kâ-wîcêwât.

(3) “Really, she is beautiful, Cousin!” he said to those who were, with him.

(4) piyisk kîwêwak.

(4) At last they went home.

(5) "nîscâs, tâpwê mistahi nitakâwâtâw awa iskwêw" itêw.

(5) “Cousin, really, I very much desire this woman!” he said to them.

(6) "yôw, nîscâs! âyimisiwak ê-macihtwâcik sakâw-iyiniwak; kitisi-pêhtênânaw mâna." "tânêhki êwako kâ-akâwâtat?" "iyâta-miyikawiyani iskwêwak, namôya kitâpwêhtên," itêw wîscâsa.

(6) “Dear me, Cousin! The Bush People who practise evil magic are bad to deal with; we always hear this said. Why do you fancy just her? When people want to give you women to wife, you do not accept,” said the one to his cousin.

(7) "â, nîscâs, mâka nitakâwâtâw!" itêw.

(7) “Oh, Cousin, but I am in love with her!” he answered him.

(8) êkosi ê-tipiskâyik, "nôhtâ, mahti êwako ana nitom kisêyiniw." "nitakâwâtimâwa anihi otânisa," itêw.

(8) So then, that evening, “Father, please invite that old man. I am in love with that daughter of his,” he said to him.

(9) "ahahêy!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw; "nikosis, tânêhki katâc nâtakâm kâ-wî-wîwiyan, êwako awa ê-macihtwât, ê-itikot wîci-sakâw-iyiniwa, ê-manitôwit, ê-iskwâhât otôtêma opawâmiwinihk ohci?" itik ôhtâwiya.

(9) “Dear me!” cried the old man; “My son, why must you just take a wife from the north, and just from this man who practises evil magic, as his fellow-Bush-People say of him, this man who has spirit power and kills off his fellow tribesmen through his dream helpers?” his father asked him.

(10) "hâ, mâka êkwêyâk nitakâwâtâw iskwêw!" itwêw.

(10) “Oh, but it is only now that I long for any woman!” he said.

(11) "â, cêskwa! nika-kakwêcihkêmon pita," itwêyiwa; "ê, kikitimâkêyimitin mâka, nikosis, piko ta-atâwêyân," itêw.¹

(11) “Well, wait a bit! Let me first inquire,” said his father; “But I love and cherish you, my son, and there is nothing for me to do but buy her,” he told him.

(12) êkwa nitomêwak oskinîkiwi-sakâw-iyinîsa, ê-kakwêcimâcik, mahti ta-onâpêmiyit.

(12) Then they called in a young Bush-Fellow and asked him whether those girls had husbands.

(13) "namôya onâpêmiwak." "omisimâw ana nîswâw onâpêmiw; êkwa ana tastawêyas pêyakwâw onâpêmiw; ana osîmimâw namôya cêskwa onâpêmiw." "mâka mistahi ê-macihtwât ana kisêyiniw, niyanân ôma kâ-sakâwiyiniwiyâhk ê-kostâyâhk ta-wîcêmâyâhk otânisa." "nistwâw ê-onahâhkisîmit, aspin mâna pêskêpicitwâwi, iyikohk niyîpihki wâ-wâpamihtwâwi, kayâhtê namôya wîcêwêwak onahâhkisîmiwâwa." "êkosi namôya kiskêyihtâkwan tânisi êsi-misi-wanâcihâcik." "iyâta-kakwêcimihtwâwi, namôya wî-wîhtamwak," itêw.

(13) “They are not married. That oldest one has twice been married; and the middle one has been married once; the youngest one has never had a husband. But as the old man is a great sorcerer, the fact is that we Bush Folk are afraid to consort with his daughters. Three sons-in-law he has had, and each time, when off they went to camp by themselves, and then in spring were seen again, to our surprise their son-in-law was not with them. And so it is not known in what way they destroyed them. When they are asked, they will not tell,” he told them.

(14) êkosi ohcitaw akâwâtêw awa oskinîkiw. êkosi âhci piko sîhkimêw ôhtâwiya, ta-nitomâyit kisêyiniwa, ta-nitotamawâyit otânisiyiwa. piyis tâpwê nitawi-nitomêw awa kisêyiniw ôhi sakâw-iyiniwa.

(14) The youth longed for her none the less. So he kept urging his father to invite the old man and ask him for his daughter. At last the old man really did go and invite that Bush Cree.

(15) ê-pîhtokêyit, ômisi itêw, ê-kîsi-mîcisocik: "hâw, nitôtêm, kâ-ôh-natomitân, pêyak oskinîkiskwêw ê-akâwâtamâtân." "nisto êtokê kitayâwâwak oskinîkiskwêwak," itêw; "niyanân wiya ôtê paskwâhk kâ-ayâwâyâhk,- êkoyikohk miyo-atimêw mostoswa, iyikohk ê-ispisît,- êwako kimiyitin, miyiyini kitânis."²

"namôya niya ê-wî-wîcêwak, nikosis ê-wî-wîcêwât." "namôya apiw; kî-wayawîw." "mâka ê-nôhtê-wîcêwât, 'mahti kakwêcim,' kâ-ôh-isit," itêw.

(15) When the latter came to the tent, he spoke thus to him, after they had eaten: “Now, Fellow-Tribesman, the reason I have invited you is because I want one of the young women. It appears that you have three young women,” he said to him; “That creature which we have here in the Plains Country, - then does he well pursue the buffalo, when he has his growth, - such a one I give you, if you give me your daughter. It is not I that wish to consort with her, but my son wishes to consort with her. He is not here; he has gone out. But, wishing to be married to her, 'Do ask him,' he has said to me,” he told him.

(16) "yahô, nitôtêm, niya ani wiya nika-miywêyihtên, paskwâw-iyiniw tita-otêmiyân."³

"tâpwê mâka niyanân itê kâ-otaskiyâhk ma-manêpayiwak misatimwak," itêw; "namôya anohc nânitaw ka-kî-ititin, nitôtêm." "wiya tipêyimêw otawâsimisa ninôtokwêm; wiya kî-âyimihik ê-wî-ohpikihât," itêw; "mahti kiyi-itêyihtahk; nika-wîhtamawâw," itêw.

(16) “Hoho, Fellow-Tribesman, as for me, I shall be glad to have an animal like the Plains Cree. Truly there where we others dwell, there is a lack of horses,” he told him; “I cannot at this time tell you anything, Fellow-Tribesman. It is my wife who has decision over her children; it is to her they gave trouble when she labored to bring them up,” he told him; “Let us see what she thinks; I shall tell her of this,” he told him.

(17) êkosi konita ay-âcimôwak.

(17) Then they conversed of other things.

(18) iyikohk ê-kîwêt awa sakâw-iyiniw, ê-pîhtokêt, "yahah, nôtokêsiw, kâ-nitomit awa paskwâw-iyiniw, ê-nitotamawit kitânisinawa." "pêyak misatim kiwî-miyikawinânaw;" "mâka kiya ê-tipahitân, ê-kî-âyimihiskik, ê-wî-ohpikihacik kitawâsimisinawak," itêw.

(18) When the Bush Cree went home, and entered his tent, “Yah, Wife, this Plains Cree invited me to ask me for our daughter. We are to be given one horse; but it is by you I shall guide myself, since it was to you our children gave trouble when you labored to bring them up,” he said to her.

(19) "nâh, êkosi mâna mâka kê-mêkiyahk!" "wiyâyêpac wiya otôtêmiyahk!" itwêw awa nôtokêsiw.⁴

(19) “Goodness, do let us give her, then! We ought to be glad to have him in our family!” said the old woman.

(20) êkosi ê-wâpaniyik, "kisâkamisikê, nôtokêsiw; nika-nitawi-nitomâw paskwâw-iyiniw," itêw.

(20) So, the next morning, “Prepare hot water, Wife; I am going to invite the Plains Cree,” he told her.

(21) tâpwê nitawi-nitomêw. ê-wâpamât awa kisêyiniw, pôti mistahi miyosiyiwa ôhi oskinîkiskwêwa.

(21) So he went and invited him. When that old man saw her, he saw that the young woman was very beautiful.

(22) "ta-kî-êcik-âni-miywêyimât nikosis!" itêyihtam.

(22) “No wonder, I see, that my son fell in love with her!” he thought.

(23) êkwa ê-kî-mîcisocik, "nitôtêm, anima kâ-kî-isiyan tipiskohk, miywêyihtam awa ninôtokwêm;" "têpêyimôw pêyak otânisa ta-ayâyit paskwâwiyinînâhk, ê-itwêt."

(23) Then, when they had eaten, “My fellow-tribesman, my wife is pleased with that which you said to me last night; she is content that one of her daughters stay in the Plains Cree country, she says.”

(24) êkosi awa kisêyiniw nanâskomôw.

(24) Then that old man gave thanks.

(25) "tâni êwako êtokê mâka, nitôtêm?" itêw.

(25) “But which one is it, Fellow-Tribesman?” he asked him.

(26) "â, tâni ana êwako wêsîmimâwit, êwako kâ-nôhtê-wîcêwât nikosis," itêw.

(26) Oh, the one who is the youngest; she is the one whom my son desires to take to wife,” he told them.

(27) "êkosi mâna mâka, nitôtêm, otâkosiki ta-itohtêw nitânis." "pita kêkway ta-kî-kaskikwâtasiw," itêw.

(27) “So then, Follow-Tribesman, this evening my daughter will go there. First she will have to do a little sewing,” he told him.

(28) êkosi kîwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(28) Then the old man went back home.

(29) ê-pîhtokêt, "hâ, nikosis, kimiyikawin ana kâ-nitawêyimat," itêw okosisa.

(29) When he entered the tipi, “Well, my son, the one you love is given to you,” he said to his son.

(30) awa miywêyihtam awa oskinîkiw. iyikohk ê-otâkosiniyik, êkoyikohk pê-wîcêwêw otânisa awa nôtokêsiw, ê-pê-nayahtahkik ayiwinisa, kiki ocayânisa awa oskinîkiskwêw; ayis anohc piko mistahi atâwêw awa kisêyiniw. êkosi pîhtokêw awa, tita-isi-miyikot awa oskinîkiw, ê-kaskikwâtamoht; kayâhtê miyohôw wiya, ôhtâwiya ê-okimâwiyit. tâpwê mêkiw pêyak misatimwa; tâpwê wîkimêw.

(30) The youth rejoiced. When evening came, that old woman came with her daughter, and they carried a burden of clothes and the young woman's belongings; for, only a short time before, that old man had traded much at the post. So she entered, and they gave the youth what had been sewn for him; they were surprised at the fine clothes he wore because his father was a chief. As he had promised, he gave one horse; really, he took her to wife.

(31) piyisk kinwêsk wîkiwak. piyisk kotakak ayîsiyiniwak pâh-piciwak, mîna kayâs kâ-nakatiht awa kisêyiniw sakâw-iyiniw, otôtêma ê-kî-piciyit, ê-ka-kisâtât otânisa. kîtahtawê nitomêw awa otihtâwâwa.

(31) They camped there for a long time. After a while the other people, one by one, moved camp, until it was long since the old Bush Cree had been left as the last, staying on with his daughter after his fellow-tribesmen had moved away. Then at one time he called his daughter's father-in-law.

(32) ê-pîhtokêyit, ê-kî-ma-mîcisocik, "yôh, nitihtâwâw, êkoyikohk ôma kâ-ispîhtâwahk, êkwa mâna niyanân kâ-mâci-nôtatâwâkanêyahk," itêw; "ninôhtê-nâtakâsin; êkwa êkoyikohk kinwêsk ê-kisâtitân," itêw; "êkosi mâka niya mîna kiyipa kê-piciyân;" "êkoyikohk nîsta ê-ihkêyihtamân, kayâs kâ-nakacipicistawicik nitôtêmak," itêw; "êkosi ômisi nititêyihtên," itwêw awa kisêyiniw sakâw-iyiniw; "nitihtâwâw, pita nâtakâm ninôhtê-isi-wîcêwâw ninahâhkisîm, ta-kiskinôhamawak sakâwi-mâcîwin, nôcihcikêwin," itêw; "itâp nîpinisiyâhko, êkoyikohk kiyâskociwâw ka-pamihikowâw kistimiwâw," itêw.

(32) When the latter had entered, and when they had eaten, “Now, my fellow-father-in-law, the time has come now when we others always go out to hunt for furs,” he told him; “I want to go to the Bush Country; this is as long as I can stay with you,” he told him; “So now I too shall soon move camp; I think it long enough now, since long ago my fellow-tribesmen have moved camp and left me behind,” he told him; “And so this is my idea,” said the old Bush Cree; “Fellow-Father-in-Law, for a while I should like to take my son-in-law along to the North Country, to teach him the woodland way of hunting and getting furs,” he told him; “When we come back to summer camp, then you, in return, will have the service of your daughter-in-law,” he told him.

(33) "êha."

(33) “Very well.”

(34) âta pakwâtam; mâka kostêw ôhi otihtâwâwa, "mâna oka-nitawi-misi-wanâcihoh!" ê-itêyimât okosisa. iyikohk ê-kîwêt, wîhtam ê-wî-piciyit.

(34) To be sure, he disliked the plan; but he feared this man, his son's father-in-law, thinking of his son, “If only he does not go to his destruction!” When he came home, he announced that the others were going to move camp.

(35) "pita nistim ta-nitawâpamêw, ta-wîhtamawât, ta-pêhikoyêk," itêw.

(35) “My daughter-in-law had better first go see them and tell them to wait for you,” he told them.

(36) êkosi wayawîw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(36) So then the young woman left the tipi.

(37) "â, nikosis, âyiman itê kâ-nahâhkapiyan." "kipêhtênânaw ê-macihtwât, ê-manitôwit kimanâcimâkan." "mahti pita pônihtâ kimêtawêwin." "itâp iyikohk takosiniyini ôtê, kika-ma-mêtawân," itêw; "awahê êkâ wiya kakwê-kisiwâ kimanâcimâkan." "âhkamêyimo, isko kaskihtâyan, kîkway ta-kakwê-nipahtâyan," itêw okosisa; "âta ani kisâkihitin; mâka nikostâw kimanâcimâkan, ê-manâ-kisiwâhak," itêw.

(37) “Oh, my son, it is a dangerous place where you are to stay with your wife's people. We hear that your father-in-law is a sorcerer and a person of manitou power. Do for a time give up your game. When you come back here, you may play as much as you like,” he told him; “Do your utmost not to anger your father in-law. Gather your energies, as far as you are able, and make an effort to kill things,” he told his son; “I hate to let you go; but I fear your father-in-law, and should dread to displease him,” he said to him.

(38) tâpwê wawêyîwak, ê-wî-picicik. tâpwê nîswayak isi sipwêhtêwak. êkwa awa sakâw-iyiniw sipwêhtahêw onahâhkisîma. â, miywêyihtam awa kisêyiniw.

(38) Accordingly they made themselves ready to move camp. And so in two different directions they went from there. The Bush Cree took his son-in-law away with him. Oh, the old man liked that.

(39) iyikohk nâtakâm ê-ayâcik, êkoyikohk ati-mâh-mâcîw awa kisêyiniw, ê-wîcêwât onahâhkisîma, ê-kiskinôhamawât tânisi tita-isi-mitihtâyit pisiskiwa. piyisk nakacihtâw awa oskinîkiw. hâ, pêyakôw êkwa, ê-mâh-mâcît, môswa ê-mâcîtotawât, nanâtohk pisiskiwa ê-nôcihât. êkâ miyâcîci, kîtahtawê mâna, "mêtawêtân!" ê-itikot owîkimâkana, mîna ôhi wîtimwa ê-pakêsêcik, piyisk miywêyihtamwak ôki oskinîkiskwêwak. âta wiya namôya tahki iyisâc ê-pônihtât mâna awa oskinîkiw.

(39) As soon as they were in the wooded country, the old man kept hunting as they went on, taking his son-in-law with him and teaching him to track the game. In time the young man became skilled. So now he went alone, as he continued to hunt, hunting moose and pursuing all kinds of game. When he was not hunting, presently always, “Let us play!” his wife would say to him, and then they, as well as his sisters-in-law, would play the cup-game, until, in time, those young women became fond of it. Indeed, the young man was always loth to cease from it.

(40) piyisk ê-ati-piponiyik, "hâh, êkoyikohk ôma êspîhtâwahki, êkotê kâ-mâwacîhitohk," itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(40) Then, in time, as the winter went on, “Now then, the time has come when the band assembles over yonder,” said the old man.

(41) êkwa ispiciwak. êkoyikohk ayâwak nîmâwin. tâpwê pâpiciwak ita ê-ayâcik kotakak sakâw-iyiniwak. â, miywêyimâw awa paskwâw-iyiniw, êkotê ê-takosihk.

(41) Then they moved camp to that place. By this time they had food for the journey. They came to where the other Bush People were staying. The Plains Cree was liked when he came there.

(42) cîhkêyimik oskinîkiwa, mâka ê-itikot, "âyiman anihi!" "tânêhki ita kâ-ôh-nahâhkapiyan?" "mistahi ana âyimisiw." "âta, 'namôya mistahi nânitaw nitôtên,' kâ-itêyihtamiyit awiya, âsay ê-misi-wanâcihât awa kisis." "mîna nistwâw kî-onahâhkisîmiw; ati-misi-wanâcihêwak," itêw, ôhi ê-itikot oskinîkiwa; "awahê kakwê êkâ wiya kisiwâ kisis;" "âyimanohk ôma kâ-wîkihkêmoyan, ana ana mîna kîtim omisimâw ê-wîcôhkamawât ôhtâwiya, ê-macihtwâyit, ê-manitôwicik."

(42) Another young man became his friend, but he told him, “It is a hard thing! Why are you staying here with your wife's people? He is really a hard man to be with. Even though one thinks, 'I am doing nothing serious,' before one knows it, this father-in-law of yours has done for him. He has had three sons-in-law before you; one after another they have destroyed them,” he told him, that youth told him; “Be on your guard and try not to incur your father-in-law's displeasure; it is in a dangerous place you are, staying with your wife's people, for that oldest sister-in-law of yours, too, makes common cause with her father in his bad magic, and both have manitou power.”

(43) êkosi êkwa êkota ayâwak, iyikohk ê-mâwacîhitocik, ê-mihcêtisicik, nanâtohk ê-âh-isi-wîhkohtocik, mîna ê-nîmihitocik. wiya oskinîkiw kîtahtawê pêyak cîhkêyimik oskinîkiwa, pisisik ê-kiyokâkot.⁵

mâka ôhi wîtimwa tahki mawinêhok, ê-pakêsêcik. ayis namôya mâcîwak: ôma ê-otami-wa-wîhkohtowiht. piyisk awa oskinîkiw kâ-ôh-kâ-ka-kiyokêt, êwako mîna kiskêyihtam ê-mêtawêt, piyisk ê-wîhtamawât kotaka oskinîkiwa ê-ayât awa paskwâw-iyiniw pakêsêwiyâkan. kîtahtawê mâna pîhtokêyiwa oskinîkiwa, ê-wî-kiskinawâpahtamiyit ôma omêtawêwin, ê-kiskinôhamawât; piyisk kiskêyihtamiyiwa; piyis mâna nitomâw êkotê ê-mêtawêcik, ê-kiskinôhamawât oskinîkiwa; piyisk kâ-kapê-kîsik mêtawêw, nêtê kâ-kîsi-miywêyihtahk pisisik kâ-kî-mêtawêt. êkosi êkwa tôtam, pisisik ê-mêtawêt.

(43) So there they stayed, when the band had assembled in great number, inviting one another to all manner of feasts, and dancing religious dances. In time a certain other young man became fond of this youth and constantly visited him. His sisters-in-law kept bothering him to play the cup-game with them. For they did no hunting, but were busy with feasting one another. After a time that young man who kept visiting them had, he too, learned the game, and in time told the other young men that the Plains Cree had a bowl for the cup-game. Presently some young man would always be coming into the tipi, to learn that game of his by looking on, and he would teach it to him; in time the other would learn it; in time he would be invited to come where they were playing and teach it to the young men; presently he was playing all day and every day, with the same addiction that had kept him always a-playing in his home off yonder. That was what he did, he played all the time.

(44) piyis êkwa âskawi-piciwak kotakak. piyis êkwa nâh-nôhtêhkatêwak; ayis ôma kâ-wâh-wîhkohtocik mistahi mêscipayihtâwak mîciwin. kîtahtawê êkwa awa kisêyiniw tânitahto kîsikâw êkwa êkâ kêkway tâpwê ê-mîcit, ê-kisâtât onahâhkisîma, pisisik ê-mêtawêyit, kîtahtawê nîsotipiskwa ê-mêtawêyit, êkoyikohk kisiwâsiw awa kisêyiniw.

(44) The time came when the others, at intervals, moved camp. By and by, too, they began to go hungry; for in their feasting one another they had used up much food. Then at one time, when for I know not how many days that old man had not eaten anything to speak of, as he stayed there with his son-in-law who did nothing but play, then at one time, when the latter had been a-playing for two days and nights, at last the old man lost patience.

(45) ômisi itwêw: "êkoyikohk kinwêsk ê-isîtôwihak paskwâw-iyiniw, kâ-nôhtêhkatêyahk." "kika-picinânaw," itêw; "omêtawêwin ta-mîciw." "iyikohk minahoyâni, namôya kika-asamâwâw." "wîsta nipahtâci kîkwaya, êkoyikohk ta-mîcisôw," itêw onahâhkisîma.

(45) Said he: “Long enough now have I supported the Plains Cree, seeing that now we are starving. Let us move camp,” he told the others; “Let him eat that toy of his. When I kill game, you are not to feed him. When he kills something, then he can eat,” he said of his son-in-law.

(46) ê-kîkisêpâyâyik, mistahi pakwâtam awa oskinîkiskwêw ê-itimiht owîkimâkana. mâtôw kîmôc. êkosi êkwa ê-wawêyîwiht kiskêyihtam. kâ-mêtawêwiht kiskêyihtamwak kâ-mêtawêcik.

(46) When morning came, that young woman was greatly distressed by what had been said concerning her husband. Secretly she wept. So then he learned that his people were getting ready to leave. Where they were gaming, the players learned of it.

(47) "piciwân êkwa wîkiwâw paskwâw-iyiniw," itâw.⁶

(47) “The Plains Cree's people are moving their camp,” he was told.

(48) "êhêhêy haha" itwêyiwa ôhi sakâw-iyiniwa; "nitôtêm, âyimisiw ana; namôya ani okisêwâtisiwiniw." "kîspin kêkway kâ-kisiwâhikot, âyimisiw." "namôya kisêwâtotam kîkwaya." "âsay ani ê-kisiwâhat, êkâ kâ-ôh-pê-wîhtamâkawiyan ê-wî-picit."⁷

"sôskwâc, kîspin kêkway kikiskêyihtên, kakwê-âhkamêyimo." "manitôwiw ani!" itik ôhi nâpêwa.

(48) “Dear me!” said that Bush Cree; “Fellow-Tribesman, he is a dangerous person; he has no kindliness at all. If anything angers him, he is dangerous. He has no kindliness toward anything. You have already incurred his displeasure: that is why you were not sent the message that he is about to break camp. Without delay, if you have any knowledge beyond the common, try to gather your energies. He is a manitou person, I tell you!” that man said to him.

(49) "êkosi nikitimahik." "nama kêkway nikiskêyihtên." "nama kêkway nipawâtên." "êkosi sôskwâc nika-nipahik," itwêw.

(49) “If that is the case, he has done for me. I have no mystic knowledge. I have not dreamed anything. If it is as you say, he will soon kill me,” said he.

(50) êkosi êkwa ê-kî-nêwo-tipiskâyik, êkoyikohk sipwêhtêw. hâh, otihtam êsa ê-kî-kapêsiyit. âhci piko pimohtêw. nîswâw ê-kapêsiyit, êsa kâ-minahoyit. ê-takohtêt, ê-otâkosiniyik, pôti wiyâsa kâ-wâpahtahk.

(50) So then, when four nights had passed, he went away. He came to a place where the others evidently had camped. He kept on walking. When he had passed two of their overnight camping places, he saw where they had killed game. When he overtook them, at nightfall, there he saw the meat.

(51) "êkosi êcika ani kê-mîcisoyân! ninôhtêhkatâh!" itêyihtam.

(51) “So now I shall get a meal! I am hungry enough!” he thought.

(52) mâka ômisi kî-itwêw awa kisêyiniw: "iyikohk kêkway nipahtâci paskwâw-iyiniw, ta-mîcisôw." "âta takohtêci, êkây asamâhkêk." "misawâc nika-kiskêyihtên, kîmôc asamâyêko," itwêw.

(52) But the old man had spoken thus: “When the Plains kills anything, then let him eat. Even though he arrives, do not give him food. I shall be sure to know it, if you feed him secretly,” he said.

(53) mâka kahkiyaw kostik otawâsimisa owîkimâkana. êkwa awa oskinîkiw kâ-pîhtokêt, wâpahtam kâhkêwakwa ê-akotêyiki. êkosi ay-apiw. piyis namôya wâpahtam ta-wî-kakwê-asamiht, ê-ka-kâmwâtapiyit owîkimâkana.

(53) All feared him, his children and his wife. When the young man entered, he saw the pieces of parched meat hanging. So he sat there. At last he did not see that there was any intention of feeding him, and his wife sat silent and gloomy.

(54) piyisk, "nitawâsimisitik, mahti kâhkêwakwa nawacîk, ta-kawisimôwi-mîcisoyahk," ê-itât, tâpwê nawacîwak ôma kâhkêwak.

(54) In time, “Children, roast some dried meat for our bedtime meal,” he said to them, and so they roasted a piece of dried meat.

(55) êkwa ê-mîcisocik, namwâc asamâw. ê-âta-asamimiht owîkimâkana, nama wî-mîcisoyiwa, "kiyâm nîsta nika-nipahâhkatoson," ê-itêyihtamiyit.

(55) Then, when they ate, he was given no food at all. His wife was given some, but she would not eat, thinking, “Let me too starve.”

(56) "yahô, nitânis, mîciso! namôya ka-kî-kisîstên mîciwin!" itwêyiwa.

(56) “Hoho, Daughter, eat! You cannot go without food!” said the other.

(57) tâpwê mîcisôw; namôya asamêw onâpêma, ê-kostât ôhtâwiya. piyisk êkosi isi kawisimôwak. ê-kîsi-kawisimocik, ocêmêw owîkimâkana awa iskwêw.

(57) Accordingly she ate; she did not give her husband food, for she feared her father. At last they went to bed, even so. When they had gone to bed, the woman kissed her husband.

(58) "niwîkimâkan, mâskôc kêkway kikiskêyihtên." "âhkamêyimo, kêkway ta-kakwê-nipahtâyan kêkway." "ê-kitahamât ôma nôhtâwiy êkâ ta-asamikawiyan, êkosi ê-kostâyâhk kahkiyaw." "âta nipakwâtên ê-tôtâkawiyan, ê-sâkihitân." "ôki ôki nimisak iyâta-onâpêmitwâwi, êkosi ê-tôtâhcik ôma kâ-wî-tôtâkawiyan, ê-nipahâhkatosocik." "êkwa ê-manitôwit nôhtâwiy, namôya awiya wîhkâc ê-sâkôcihikot." "kisâkihitin." "kakwê-minahôstamâso," itik.

(58) “My husband, perhaps you have some mystic knowledge. Summon your forces, that you may kill something. The fact is that my father has forbidden your being given any food, and we all stand in fear of him. To no avail am I distressed at what is being done to you, for I love you. When these my elder sisters here had husbands, this was done to them which is about to be done to you, and they died of hunger. Because my father is a manitou person, he is never defeated by anyone. I love you. Try to kill some food for yourself,” she told him.

(59) "êhâ, êkosi ana kê-nipahit kôhtâwiy! namôya kêkway nikiskêyihtên," itêw.⁸

(59) “Oh, if that is so, then your father will kill me! I have no mystic knowledge,” he told her.

(60) êkosi mâtôw awa oskinîkiskwêw, ê-itikot owîkimâkana. êkosi nipâwak.

(60) Then the young wife wept, when her husband said this to her. So they went to sleep.

(61) kîkisêpâ mîna ê-mîcisôwiht, namôya asamâw.

(61) In the morning, when again the family ate, he was not given food.

(62) êkosi isi ê-kîsi-mîcisôwiht, "piko ta-piciyahk!" itwêyiwa.

(62) When in this way his people had eaten, “We must move camp!” said that other.

(63) êkosi wawêyîw, ê-mâcît. iyâta-kîkway-wâpahtahki, wâh-nipahtâci, kîkway pêhtam, ê-tapasîyit ôhi kâ-wî-nipahât. ahpô wâposwa piyâskiswâci, namôya nipahêw. êkosi piyis mâna aspin itê kâ-ispiciwiht ê-itohtêt, têkohtêci, êkosi ê-ay-apit, namôya asamâw. âta tahto-kîsikâw ê-mâcît, mâka nama kêkway kî-nipahtâw. iskâniyê kêwâhkatosot. piyis mâna mistahi nîpâhtêw, êkwa ê-kawâhkatosot. kîtahtawê êkwa namôya kî-mâcîw, êkwa ê-kawâhkatosot, pêciwihci, ê-apit matokahpihk, wîhkâc iyikohk mâna ê-sipwêhtêt. kîtahtawê ê-pîhtokêt, pahkisin êkwa, ê-nêsôwâhkatosot.

(63) So then he went out of the tent and hunted. Although he would get sight of things, whenever he was about to kill them, he would hear something, and the creature he was going to kill would run away. Even though he shot at nothing more than a rabbit, he did not kill it. When then at last he would go to where his people had moved the camp, when he arrived, and sat there, he was not given food. Although he hunted every day, he did not succeed in killing anything. How weak he grew with hunger! At last he took to walking much in the dark, so far gone with hunger was he. Then in time he became unable to hunt, for the weakness of hunger, and when they moved camp he would sit on the deserted site, able only at intervals to move himself from the spot. Then at one time, as he came into the tipi, he fell to the ground, exhausted by starvation.

(64) "yahôw, tânisi wiya êkwa paskwâw-iyiniw tiyôtahk?" itêw onahâhkisîma, ê-pâhpihât.

(64) “Oho, what is the Plainsman doing now, pray?” said the man to his son-in-law, in derision.

(65) mâtôw awa oskinîkiskwêw, ê-ocipitât onâpêma, êkwa ê-wî-nipahâhkatosoyit.

(65) The young wife wept, and drew her husband to her, her husband who was about to die of hunger.

(66) "yâ!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw, ê-wâpamât ê-mâtoyit otânisa; "kêkway ôma mêwîhkâtaman? kiyâm api!" itêw.

(66) “Bah!” said that old man, when he saw that his daughter wept; “What are you weeping about? Be still!” he told her.

(67) êkosi kîskowêyiwa. ay-apiw awa iskwêw ê-pimisiniyit onâpêma. ayis wî-nipahâhkatosoyiwa. êkwa êkota kî-pîmoyôw apisîs kâhkêwakos, iyikohk ê-kawisimocik ê-asamât onâpêma, "hâh, tânêkâ ôma miscahîs mîciyân!" ê-itêyihtahk awa oskinîkiw. mâka ohcitaw wî-nipahâhkatosôw.

(67) So she ceased her lamenting. The woman sat where her husband lay. He was dying of hunger. She had slipped into the bosom-fold of her garment a tiny bit of parched meat, and gave it to her husband when they went to bed, and, “Would I could only eat a little more of this!” was the young man's thought. But he was certain to starve to death.

(68) "êtataw ana êkwa nitakohtân, niwîkimâkan," itêw; "êkosi ani ê-nipahâhkatosoyit kôhtâwiy." "matwân cî nika-takohtân, itê êkwa kapêsiyêko?" itêw.

(68) “It was only with a last effort that this time I arrived, my wife,” he told her; “And so your father is starving me to death. It is not likely that I shall arrive at your next night's camping place,” he told her.

(69) hâ, mâtôw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(69) Oh, the young wife wept.

(70) "hâw, kîspin misi-wanâtisiyini, nîsta namôya wîhkâc nika-mîcison," itik owîkimâkana.

(70) “Oh, if you come to grief, I too shall never eat,” his wife answered him.

(71) êkosi isi âta ê-wî-kakwê-nipât, mâka nama ta-kî-nipât, iyikohk ê-nôhtêhkatêt. piyis wâpaniyiw, êkwa mîna ê-paminawasôwiht.

(71) Then, though he wanted to go to sleep, he could not sleep, so hungry was he. At last day came, and again his people cooked their meal.

(72) namôya wî-waniskâw awa oskinîkiw, "misawâc namôya nika-asamikawin," ê-itêyihtahk.

(72) The young man would not get up, for he thought, “In any case I shall not be given food.”

(73) piyisk ê-kîsi-mîcisowiht, "â, nitawâsimisitik, wawêyîk! kipimipicihtânaw!" ê-itwêt awa kisêyiniw, ê-wî-kakwê-nôhtêsimât onahâhkisîma. êkwa namôya kî-waniskâw awa oskinîkiw. ê-âta-wawêyîwiht, namôya wî-wawêyîw awa iskwêw.

(73) At last, when his tentmates had finished their meal, “Now then, my children, make ready! We must not forget that we are moving camp!” said the old man, meaning to leave his son-in-law behind. The young man was not able to rise from where he lay. Although they all made ready to go, that woman would not leave the tent.

(74) "wawêyî, nitânis! ê-piciyahk ôma!" itêw.

(74) “Get ready, Daughter! Now is when we move camp!” he told her.

(75) mâtôw awa oskinîkiskwêw, êyiwêhk ê-wawêyît. piyisk iyîkatêtâcimôw awa oskinîkiw. otanâskânisiyiwa ê-pôsihtâwiht, tahki mâtoyiwa wîwa. êkwa ê-ati-sipwêhtêwiht, êkota cîki astâw mihta, ê-astât awa oskinîkiskwêw, ê-pônahk, "êkâ ta-kawacit!" ê-itêyimât onâpêma. ê-âta-sipwêhtêyit okâwiya, ayâw êkota, ê-kisâtât onâpêma, tahki ê-mâtot. ayis êkwa êtatawisiyiwa onâpêma. piyis nîpawiyiwa.

(75) The young wife wept, and listlessly went about making ready to go. At last the young man dragged himself away from the camp. His wife wept all the time, as her mats were being put on the sled. Then, as the others proceeded to depart, she put sticks of firewood close by there, the young wife, and built a fire, for, “That he may not be cold!” was her thought concerning her husband. Although her mother had gone, she stayed there, close to her husband, weeping all the while. For now her husband was barely alive. At last the others stood still.

(76) "pê-sipwêhtê!" ê-itiht, âhci piko namôya tâpwêhtam.

(76) “Come, be off!” she was bidden, but still she paid no heed.

(77) kîtahtawê ôhtâwiya kâ-matwê-pîkiskwêyit, "têpwâtihk ana! ta-pê-sipwêhtêw!" ê-itikot.

(77) Presently, there came the sound of her father's speech, “Call to that person! She is to be off and come!” he was saying of her.

(78) âta ê-tâh-têpwâtiht, piyis ocêmêw onâpêma, "ninâpêm, kisâkihitin; mâka kiwî-nakatitn." "kiyâm nîsta nika-nipahâhkatoson," ê-itikot.

(78) Although she was called again and again, at last she kissed her husband, and, “My husband, I love you; but I shall leave you. Let me, too, die of hunger,” she said to him.

(79) "niwîkimâkan, kiyâm kakwê-pimâtisi kiya." "sipwêhtê." "êkây êkosi itêyihta." "mâskôc pimâtisiyini, kîtahtawê wâpamatwâwi nôhtâwiy, kwayask ta-âcimostawat," itêw, "ka-kwatakihtân ôma kisâtamani." "namôya misawâc nika-kî-pimâtisin, âta kisâtamani," itêw.

(79) “My wife, you must try to live. Go away from here. Do not entertain such thoughts. Perhaps, if you live, someday, when you see my father and his people, you will be able to tell him the truth. [You will suffer if you stay here.] In any event, I shall not be able to live, even if you stay with me,” he told her.

(80) piyisk sâkôcimêw. ê-tâh-têpwâtiht, sipwêhtêw, mistahi ê-mâtot.

(80) At last he persuaded her. When they continued to call her, she went from there, weeping bitterly.

(81) "yôh, nitânis, kêkway ôma ê-mawîhkâtaman?" "kîskowê!" itêw awa kisêyiniw otânisa; "namôya ana nânitaw kititâhkômâw, iyikohk kâ-mâtoyan," itêw.

(81) “Why, Daughter, what are you weeping about? Stop your crying!” that old man bade his daughter; “You are not in any way related to him, to be weeping like this,” he said to her.

(82) êkosi aspin ê-ati-mâtoyit.

(82) So off she went, weeping.

(83) êkwa wiya awa ê-pa-pimisihk awa oskinîkiw, ê-otâkosiniyik, kîtahtawê kêkway kâ-pêhtahk ê-pê-yôtiniyik. kîtahtawê kâ-pêhtahk ê-matwêwêyik, "ê ê gay_gay_gay_gay!" ê-pê-itwêyit.

(83) And as for that youth, as he lay there, toward evening, suddenly he heard something come, as with a gust of wind. Suddenly he heard a shot, and, “Hey, hey, hi, hi, hi, hi!” someone came calling out.

(84) "êwako êcika ani kê-nipahit! êwakoni êtokê opawâkana awa kisêyiniw!" itêyihtam.

(84) “And so this is the one that is to kill me! Doubtless this is that old man's dream spirit!” he thought.

(85) êkosi kiyipa mîna âsay kâ-pê-matwêwêyik, ê-pê-sâkowêyit. mâka yôtiniyiw; ôta ê-takohtêyit, iskotêw kwâskwêyâstitâyiwa, mistahi ê-yôtinipayihtâyit.⁹

êyiwêhk ê-itâpit, akâmiskotêw mihti ê-astêyik, êkota kî-apiyiwa ayîsiyiniwa, mitoni ê-kawâhkatosoyit, wîstêpahkwaya ê-wiyâhtamiyit. ê-kitâpamât, wîsta nama pakisâpamik.

(85) Then quickly again came the report of a shot, as that person came a-whooping. But a wind blew; as that one arrived, he blew the flame into a leaping flare, striking it as with a gust of wind. When the youth at last looked, across the fire, where lay a log of firewood, there sat a man, very lean and clad in bits of smoky leather. As he looked upon him, the other did not move his eyes from him.

(86) "êkwa êtokê awa êkwa ê-wî-nipahit!" itêyihtam.

(86) “Now, no doubt, now, is when he will kill me!” he thought.

(87) kîtahtawê, "hê hê hêy ha ha!" itik; "tânisi ôma wiya ita kâ-ôh-pa-pimisiniyan?" itik.

(87) Presently, “Alas, alas!” the other said to him; “Why are you lying here like this?” the other asked him.

(88) "hâ êy, nimanâcimâkan ê-wî-nipahâhkatosoyit, êkosi ôma êkwa êkâ ê-kî-waskawiyân, ê-wî-nipahâhkatosoyân, kâ-nakatikawiyân," itêw; "âta wiya ê-mâh-minahot, mâka ê-mahyakomit, namôya nikî-nipahtân kêkway, ê-kisiwâhak, ê-mâh-mêtawêyân," itêw.

(88) “Why, because my father-in-law means to kill me with starvation, therefore now, when I am unable to stir, because I am starved almost to death, I have been abandoned,” he told him; “Although he himself continues to kill game, yet, because he has cast a spell upon my luck, I cannot kill anything, because I have incurred his displeasure by continuing to play a game,” he told the other.

(89) "êhê êy, ha ha, nôsisê! âta ani nîsta nikî-kitimâkêyimâw, tâpwê ana ê-kitimâkêyihtâkosit, mâka pêyak kêkway nikî-mihtawamâw, ôma kâ-tôtâsk âhci."¹⁰

"namôya kika-nipin; âta wiya, 'ninipin,' kitêyihtên." "mâka kika-papâ-wa-wîcêtin." "pimiya kika-omîciwininânaw, êkotôwahk anihi ê-omîciwiniyân," itik; êkwa, "hâ, nôsisê, kakwê-waniskâ! simatapi!" itik.

(89) “Alas, alas, my grandchild! The fact is, to be sure, that I have blessed him, for truly he was in a piteous state, but one thing I regret having given him, that with which he is doing this to you. You will not die; even though, 'I shall die,' is your thought. But you will go about with me. Fat will be our food, for such is my food,” the other told him; and then, “Come, Grandson, try to get up! Sit up!” the other told him.

(90) piyisk kaskihtâw ê-waniskât.

(90) At last he managed to raise himself.

(91) "nôsisê, kakwê-pasikô!" itik.

(91) “Grandson, try to rise to your feet!” the other told him.

(92) pasikôw, ê-micimît opâskisikan, ê-âswâskokâpawit.

(92) He rose to his feet, holding fast to his gun and leaning on it to stand.

(93) "â, nôsisê, aswêyihta!" itik.

(93) “Now, Grandson, watch out!” the other told him.

(94) ê-tâwikipayihikot, sâposkâk; ohpimê êkota kî-nîpawiyiwa.

(94) As the other bumped into him, he went right through him; over there, off to one side, the other was standing.

(95) "ha, niwîcêwâkan!" itik; "pê-ohpipayiho!" itik; "'pâkahkos,' kâ-itwêcik ayîsiyiniwak, êkotôwahk niya; mâka kîsta kika-pâkahkôwin." "namôya ta-kiskêyihtam kimanâcimâkan ê-pimâtisiyan," itik.

(95) “There, my comrade!” the other was saying to him; “Come rise from the ground!” he was saying to him; “When mortal men say, 'Bony Spectre,' such am I; but you too shall be a bony spectre. Your father-in-law shall not know that you live,” he told him.

(96) êkosi ê-ati-ohpipayihoyit, ê-ati-sâkôwêyit, wîsta, kâ-tôtamiyit owîcêwâkana, êkosi wîsta tôtam, ê-kîwêhtahikot. tâpwê takohtahik wîkiyihk. â, sêmâk asamik pimiy. êkota ohci pâkahkosiwiw, piko itê wiyîhkohtowihci, âsay ê-asamihcik pimiy.

(96) At that, when the other rose into the air and whooped as he went on his way, he too did as his companion had done, and the latter took him home. Truly, they arrived at the other's dwelling. Oh, at once he was given fat to eat. Through these things he became a bony spectre, and, when a feast anywhere was given with thought of him, they were given fat to eat.

(97) êkwa nâha kisêyiniw miywêyihtam, "ê-nipahâhkatosot ninahâhkisîm," ê-itêyihtahk. êkwa awa oskinîkiskwêw namôya mâna wî-mîcisôw, ê-ati-asamiht; piyis mâna tâpwêhtawêw ôhtâwiya, ê-kâ-kakwê-sîhkimikot.¹¹

mistahi kwatakihtâw, pisisik ê-mâtot, ê-sâkihât onâpêma, tahki ê-sîhkimiht, kwayask ta-mîcisot, mâka mayaw ohpimê kâ-itohtêt, âsay ê-mâtot.

(97) Then that old man off yonder rejoiced, thinking, “My son-in-law has starved to death.” And that young woman was always unwilling to eat, when she was given food; but in the end she always obeyed her father, who kept urging her. She was very unhappy, weeping all the time, for love of her husband, as she was being constantly urged to eat well; but as soon as she could go off alone, already she was in tears.

(98) kîtahtawê iyikohk êkwa ê-miyoskamiyik, kîwêpiciwak, ita ôma kâ-mâwacîhitocik mâna, êkotê ê-ispicicik.

(98) Presently, when the warm weather came, they moved their camp back whence they had come; to the place where they were in the habit of assembling, thither they moved their camp.

(99) "mahti kiyi-ay-iskwastamiyit oskana paskwâw-iyiniw nika-ati-nitawâpamâw," itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(99) “Let me go see on the way whether they have left the Plains Cree's bones,” said the old man.

(100) cîkâhtaw ê-wî-pimipicicik, tâpwê otihtam ôma omatokahpiwâw. pôti nama kêkway oskana pa-pîwastêyiwa. ahpô pâskisikan nama kêkway. êkosi kîwêw ita ê-kapêsiwiht.

(100) As they were about to pass near the place in moving camp, he really did go to that abandoned camp-site of theirs. When he looked, there were no bones lying about. There was not even the gun. So he went back where his family was camping for the night.

(101) ê-takohtêt, "yaw, namwâc kêkway ay-iskwastamwak oskaniyiwa paskwâw-iyiniwa," itêw, "nipawâkanak!" "mitoni êsa wiyîhkipwâcik paskwâw-iyiniwa!" itwêw, ê-mamâhtâkosit, "nisâkôcihâw!" ê-itêyimât.

(101) When he arrived, “Yah, they have not left any bones at all from eating the Plainsman,” he told them, “those dream spirits of mine! It seems they much liked the taste of the Plains Cree!” he said, rejoicing as he thought of the other, “I have defeated him!”

(102) êkosi iyikohk itê ê-takohtêcik ê-wîkiwiht, êkoyikohk kiskêyihtamwân ê-nipahâhkatosohât onahâhkisîma. êkosi ê-âta-kakwêcimiht, namôya kwayask âcimôwak; mâka kiskêyimâwak ê-macihtwâcik.

(102) So then, when they arrived where their people were camping, it was known of him that he had made his son-in-law starve to death. But, though he then was questioned, they did not tell the truth; but they were known to be sorcerers.

(103) kîtahtawê awa oskinîkiskwêw ê-kakwêcimikot kîmôc iskwêwa, âcimôw, "ê-nipahâhkatosohât paskwâw-iyiniwa."

(103) Presently, when the young woman was questioned in secret by the other women, she told the story: “Because he made the Plainsman starve to death.”

(104) mistahi mihtâtêwak ôki sakâw-iyiniwak ôhi oskinîkiwa, osâm ê-miyosiyit, êkwa ê-kitimâkêyihtâkosiyit, ôhtâwîyiwa ê-kitimâkêyimikoyit. mâka kostêwak; ayisk manitôwiyiwa. êkwa êkota ayâwak.

(104) The Bush People grieved much for that young man, because he was handsome, and because he was lovable, even as his father had loved him. But they feared that man; for he was a manitou person. Then they stayed there.

(105) kîtahtawê ê-nîpihk, êkwa awa oskinîkiw ôhtâwiya itohtêyiwa ôta pêhonânihk, êkota ê-wa-wîkiyit, ê-ihtatêyimikot, "êkota ta-takosihk omanâcimâkana."

(105) Presently, when summer came, that young man's father came here to Battleford, and continued to camp here, thinking he was near: “Here he will come with his parents-in-law.”

(106) mâka awa kisêyiniw namôya wî-pê-nimitâsiw, ê-kostât paskwâw-iyiniwa otihtâwâwa. kotakak sakâw-iyinîsak nimitâsiwak, ê-pê-mâhiskahkik. êkota wâpamêwak ôhi paskwâw-iyiniwa. kakwêcihkêmôw, okosisa otihtâwâwa tânitê ê-ayâyit.

(106) But that old man did not intend to come down to the open country, for he feared his son-in-law's father, the Plains Cree. The other Bush Fellows came to the open country, coming to trade their furs at the post. There they saw that Plains Cree. He made inquiries as to where his son and his son's father-in-law were staying.

(107) "yâ, pakahkam namôya katawa tôtam sakâw-iyiniw; itêyimâw." "pakâhkam namôya wîhkâc ka-kî-wâpamâw kikosis." "pêyakwâw êsa ê-kî-otihtâcik ayîsiyiniwa, namôya kî-wâpamâw kikosis." "iyâta-kakwêcimihci tânitê tita-ayâyit, namôya kwayask wî-âcimôw." "kîtahtawê kîmôc kî-kakwêcimik iskwêwa kistim, êkosi kî-wîhtam ê-misi-wanâtisiyit onâpêma." "kêyâpic mistahi kwatakihtâw kistim, êkâ ê-wîcêwât onâpêma."

(107) “Ho, surely that Bush Cree is doing something not right; that is what one thinks of him. It is certain that you will never see your son. It seems that the one time when they came to where other people were, your son was not seen. Although he was asked where he might be, he would not tell plainly. Then some women secretly asked your daughter-in-law, and she told that her husband had been done away with. Your daughter-in-law is still very miserable because she has not her husband.”

(108) êkosi itâcimostawâw awa kisêyiniw.

(108) Thus was the story told to the old man.

(109) "têpiyâhk kî-wâpamâyâhk nistim!" itwêw.

(109) “If we could but see my daughter-in-law!” he said.

(110) "hâw, namôya anohc kâ-nîpihk ta-kî-pê-itohtêw, ê-kostahk ayisiyinînâhk tita-itohtêt." "êkosi mâna tôtam, kâ-misi-wanâcihâci oskinîkiwa," itâw awa okimâw.

(110) “Oh, he will not come this summer, for he is afraid to go among people. That is the way he does whenever he has done away with a young man,” the chief was told.

(111) pakwâtam ê-misi-wanâtisiyit okosisa. êkosi isi-âcimostawâw. êkwa ôki êwako awa awa okimâw otihkwatima ê-nîsiyit, mistahi mihtâtêwak wîscâsiwâwa ôki oskinîkiwak.

(111) He was unhappy because his son had been done away with. So, at least, he had been told. And those two nephews of the chief's, those youths grieved much for their cousin.

(112) ômisi itwêwak: "nôhtâ, mahti nâtakâm itohtêtân." "kakwê-wâpamâtân ana kisêyiniw, mîna ta-kakwê-pêhtamahk tânita nîscâs ê-pimisihk." "mâskôc namôya katawa ta-kî-isinâkwahk ita nîscâs wiyaw ê-astêyik," itêw ôhtâwiya; "êkoyikohk ayiwinisa kitayânânaw." "êkosi isi-wîhtamaw nisis," itêw ôhtâwiya; "ôma nâh-nimitâsihki, êkotê wiya ta-isi-wîcihiwêw." "mâskôc ayiwâkês ta-kaskêyihtam, papâ-nisikatisiyahko," itêw ôhtâwiya.

(112) hey spoke as follows: “Father, let us go up into the Bush Country. Let us try to see that old man, and let us try to hear where my cousin's body lies. Perhaps things do not look as is fitting, there where my cousin's body lies,” said one to his father; “We have now enough goods. Tell this to my uncle,” he said to his father; “When now the people go to the open country, let him go along. Surely, he would grieve even more, if we all went about alone in the wilderness,” he told his father.

(113) tâpwê wîhtamawêw wîstâwa ê-itwêyit okosisa.

(113) Consenting, he told his brother-in-law what his sons had said.

(114) "êha," itwêw awa okimâw, tâpwê nanânis ê-ispiciwiht.

(114) “Very well,” said the chief, and accordingly they moved their camps in different directions.

(115) êkwa ê-takwâkiniyik, nâtakâm itohtêwak ôki oskinîkiwak, ê-wî-kakwê-wâpamâcik ôhi sakâw-iyiniwa. tâpwê papâmipiciwak, ê-ma-mâh-mâcîcik. wiyâpamâtwâwi ayîsiyiniwa, kakwêcihkêmôwak tânitê ta-pimisiniyit wîscâsiwâwa. êkosi namôya kiskêyihtamwân, mîna ôhi kisêyiniwa ê-wî-kiskêyimâcik.

(115) So, when autumn came, those young men went northward to try and see that Bush Cree. Accordingly, they moved their camp about, hunting on the way. Whenever they saw people, they inquired where their cousin's body lay. It was not known; nor was it known, when they desired to learn the whereabouts of that old man.

(116) "têpiyâhk ana iskwêw wâpamâyahko, kêkway ta-ohtinamawâyahk, nîscâs owîkimâkana," ê-itwêcik ôki oskinîkiwak, piyisk kapê-pipon papâ-ayâwak.

(116) “At least, if we saw that woman, our cousin's wife, we might learn something from her,” said those youths, and thus stayed about, now here, now there, all winter long.

(117) nama kî-kiskêyimêwak ôhi kisêyiniwa. piyisk ati-kâh-kîsopwêyiw, kiyipa êkwa ta-nîpiniyik. kîtahtawê mâcîwak.

(117) They did not succeed in learning the whereabouts of that old man. At last the warm weather began to come on, and spring would soon be near. Then at one time they were hunting.

(118) "nôhtâ, namôya nika-takosininân anohc kâ-kîsikâk." "wâpahki nika-takohtânân, ê-wî-kakwê-wâpamak ayîsiyiniw nânitaw," itwêw awa ostêsimâw.

(118) “Father, we shall not be back today. We shall come back tomorrow, for we want to see some people,” said the elder one.

(119) tâpwê mâcîwak. otakohpiwâwa pimiwitâwak, ayis ê-wî-katikonicik. êkwa kîtahtawê ê-pa-pimohtêcik, mâtâhêwak wâwâskêsiwa. êwakoni ma-mitihtêwak. iyikohk ê-otâkosik, êkoyikohk wâpamêwak. tâpwê nipahêwak. êkwa êkota pânahikêwak, ê-wî-kotawêcik, "wâpahki itâp ka-kîwânânaw," ê-itwêcik ôki oskinîkiwak. tâpwê ê-kî-kotawêcik, ê-nawacîcik, êkosi ati-ta-tipiskâyiw. êkwa mistahi nikohtêwak, êkâ ta-kawacicik, ê-itêyihtahkik. tâpwê ay-apiwak. piyisk pa-pimisinwak; namôya ê-wî-nipâcik. kîtahtawê kêkway kâ-pêhtahkik ê-pê-matwêwêyik, kâ-pê-sâkôwêwiht.¹²

(119) Accordingly, they went hunting. They took their blankets with them, for they were going to stay out all night. Presently, as they walked along, they came upon the track of an elk. They followed its trail. Toward evening they came in sight of it. Really, they killed it. Right where they were, they cleared away the snow, to make a fire for “Tomorrow we shall go home,” said those youths. When then they had built their fire and were making their roasts, night came on. Then they prepared a great amount of firewood, so as not to suffer from the cold. So they sat there. In due time they lay down; but they did not mean to sleep. Presently they heard the report of a gun and someone coming a-whooping.

(120) "yâ, nisîm, êkosi mâna itâcimâwak pâkahkosak." "êkotôwahk êtokê," itwêw awa ostêsimâw.

(120) “Oho, Brother, this is what they tell of the bony spectres. Such they must be,” said the elder.

(121) êkosi pa-pimisinwak. kîtahtawê kisiwâk mîna kâ-pê-matwêwêyik, âsay mîna ê-pê-sâkôwêyit. êkoyikohk pêhtamwak ê-pê-yôtiniyik. kwayask sêkisiw awa osîmimâw, ê-kostât pâkahkosa. ôta ê-tako-yôtinipayiyik, kâ-wâpamâcik akâmiskotêw ê-apiyit pâkahkosa, konita ê-wî-pâhpiyit, mâ-mîskoc ê-kitâpamikocik. sêkisiw awa osîmimâw; nama kî-waskawîw. awa ostêsimâw, êwako tahki kâh-kiyipa ê-kitâpamikot, kîtahtawê, "miyâmay waskawîw," ê-itêyimât, âsay osîma ê-isikâtêsiniyit, kâ-nahapiyit pâkahkosa, ê-yâsipitâyit otâsiyâna awa oskinîkiw, ê-wî-sisikotiskênikot, awa ostêsimâw kâ-otihtinât.

(121) So they lay there. Presently again, from near by came the sound of a shot, and again someone's whooping. Then they heard the coming of a rush of wind. The younger was properly frightened, fearing the bony spectres. When the gust of wind reached them, there they saw, sitting at the far side of the fire, a bony spectre, smiling a hollow smile and looking now at one, now at the other. The younger one grew frightened; he could not stir from the spot. The elder, at whom the thing kept gazing every little while, suddenly thought, “Surely, he is about to make a move,” - and already at his younger brother's feet, as he lay, sat the bony spectre, and was drawing off the youth's breech-clout, to leap upon him by surprise; and the elder brother laid hold of the creature.

(122) "nisîm, waniskâ! pita ta-mâsihkêw!" "pisisik mâna kâ-âcimihcik êkosi ê-wî-tôtahkik, ôma kâ-wî-tôtâsk!" itêw osîma.¹³

(122) “Brother, get up! Let us give him a fight! That which they are said always to be wanting to do, he is now about to do to you!” he told his brother.

(123) "yâ, awas, êyisiyinîwiyin! pakitinin!" itêw pâkahkos.

(123) “Faugh, go away, mortal man! Let go of me!” the bony spectre said to him.

(124) "namôya! ohcitaw kiwî-kakwê-maskamitin pâskisikan!" itêw.

(124) “No! I am bound to try to take away your gun!” he told it.

(125) nîsôhkawêwak, ê-mâsihâcik.

(125) The two attacked it and wrestled with it.

(126) "namôya kiwî-ohci-pakitinitin!" itêw, ê-kiskêyihtahk ê-sâkohât.

(126) “I will not let you go!” he said to it, when he knew that he had it fast.

(127) nîsôhkawêwak, ê-mâsihâcik.

(127) They both grappled with it and wrestled with it.

(128) "hâw, êyisiyinîwiyin, kiyâm pakitinin!" "ahpô kika-wêhcihâwak pisiskiwak; kimiyitin, mitoni ta-minahoyan," itêw.

(128) “Come, mortal man, do let me go! If you like, you may have easy play with game animals; I give you the gift of killing much game,” it told him.

(129) "namôya! kinihtâ-kakwê-cîsimâwâw ayîsiyiniw," itêw.

(129) “No! Such as you are given to cheating mortal men,” he told it.

(130) "ahpô kêtisk kâ-ayisiyinîwinâwâw awa kisîm." "pakitinin!"

(130) “If you like, you shall have full length of life, you and your younger brother here. Let me go!”

(131) "namôya! namôya kiwî-pakitinitin!"

(131) “No! I will not let you go!

(132) "kiyâm kitimâkihtawin! pakitinin!" "ahpô kiwâhkômâkan mistahi iyâhkosici, êtotikawiyini, kika-pimâcihâw," itik.

(132) “Take pity on my words! Let me go! If you like, whenever your kinsman is sorely ill, and you are called to aid, you shall restore him to life,” it told him.

(133) "namôya! osâm kinihtâ-kakwê-cîsimâwâw ayisiyiniw." "pakitinitâni, namôya ta-kî-ispayiw anima kâ-isiyan," itêw.

(133) “No! Such as you are too much given to cheating mortal men. If I let you go, that which you say to me will not come to pass,” he told it.

(134) êkoyikohk mâka êkwa wî-wâpaniyiw. kiskêyihtam êkâ ê-pakitiniht pâkahkos.

(134) But by this time dawn was near. The bony spectre knew that it would not be freed.

(135) kîtahtawê kâ-miskonahk kêkway ê-pîmakâmêskamiyit ôhi pâkahkosa. tahki sâkihtâyiwa êwako.

(135) Presently the one felt with his hand something which that bony spectre wore across its shoulder. It was always holding fast to this object.

(136) "nisîm, kêkway awa mistahi kâ-sâkihtât, ê-pîmakâmêskahk." "kakwê-maskamâtân," itêw.

(136) “Brother, there is something to which this creature anxiously clings, something which is slung across its shoulder. Let us try to get it away,” he told him.

(137) "yâ, êkâ wiya, êyisiyinîwiyan! mistahi anima ê-sâkihtâyân!"

(137) “Oh, do not, mortal man! I prize it so highly!”

(138) kîtahtawê kâ-nisitawêyihtahk awa oskinîkiw.

(138) Suddenly that youth recognized it.

(139) "ayiwâk ihkin, nisîm! miyâmay ôma pakêsêwiyâkan, kîscâsinaw otôyâkan!" itêw osîma.

(139) “A wonder, Brother! Surely this is a bowl for the cup-game, our cousin's bowl!” he told his brother.

(140) êkwa tâpwê, "yâhâ, awasitik, êyisiyinîwiyan! êkây otinamok! mistahi anima ê-sâkihtâyân!"

(140) So then, “Oho, be off, mortal man! Do not take it! I prize this thing too dearly!”

(141) piyis maskamêwak. nisitawêyihtamwak wîscâsa opakêsêwiyâkaniyiw.

(141) At last they got it away. They recognized their cousin's gaming-bowl.

(142) "hâh, nisîm, êkâya pakitinâtân!" "iyây-ihkinokwê, awa pâkahkos kâ-kanawêyihtahk kîscâsinawa opakêsêwiyâkan!" itêwak.¹⁴

(142) “Come, Brother, let us not lose hold of him! What strange thing may it be, that this bony spectre is possessed of our cousin's gaming-bowl!” they said of it.

(143) piyis êkwa ê-wâpaniyik, namôya êkwa wî-waskawîw awa pâkahkos.

(143) When at last day broke, that bony spectre no longer tried to move.

(144) êkwa wêwêkahpitêwak wâpowayânihk, "nisîm, ka-kîwêhtahânaw," ê-itât osîma.

(144) Then they wrapped it tightly in a blanket, and, “Brother, let us take him home with us,” said he to his younger brother.

(145) wawêyîwak. ayis êkwa kîsikâyiw. êkwa awa ostêsimâw ê-nayômât pâkahkosa, ê-kîwêhtahâcik, piyis ê-wî-takohtêcik, êkota ayiwêpiwak.

(145) They made ready to go. By this time it was day. Then the elder brother carried the bony spectre on his back, and they took it home with them, until, when they were almost at their destination, they halted.

(146) "hâ, nisîm, kîwê." "wîhtamaw kôhtâwiyinaw: anima kâ-wîkiyahk kwêskâhtik ta-mânokêwak anima konita kâ-astêk apahkwâson; mitoni isi ta-anâskêwak maskosiya; mîna mistahi kita-astâwak mihta." "êkâya wîhtamawâhkan awa ê-pêsiwâyahk," itêw; "kakwêcimiski, êkâya wîhtamaw," ê-itât osîma; "êkwa anima mihkwêkin wêskwâhtêmihk kita-anâskêwak; êkwa pêyak wâpowayân êkota mîna ta-astâwak." "iyikohk kîsihtâtwâwi, ka-pê-wîhtamawin;" "mâka êkâ wiya ta-pê-itohtêwak kôhtâwiyinaw; êkâ wiya nika-kakwê-wâpamikwak," itêw.

(146) “Now, Brother, go home. Tell our father this: at the other side of the grove from where we camp, let them build a tipi with the tent-coverings of whatever kind they have; let them cover the ground well with grass; and let them place there a large supply of firewood. Do not tell him that we are bringing this being,” he told him; “If he asks you, do not tell him,” he told his brother; “And let them spread this red cloth on the ground opposite the entrance; and there let them lay also one blanket-robe. When they have completed this, you will come and tell me; but do not let our father and the others come here; they are not to try to see me,” he told him.

(147) êkosi kîwêw awa oskinîkiw.

(147) So the youth went home.

(148) ê-takohtêt, "tâniwâ kistês?" itik ôhtâwiya.

(148) When he arrived, “Where is your elder brother?” his father asked him.

(149) "awa, ôta kisiwâk aspin ê-apit." "mâka ômisi ê-itwêt: 'anima kâ-wîkiyahk kwêskâhtik êkota ta-nitawi-mânokêwak,' ê-itwêt," itêw ôhtâwiya; "'kîsi-mânokêtwâwi, mistahi ta-astâwak maskosiya, mîna ta-anâskêcik kâ-anâskasoyahk.'" "'êkwa wêskwâhtêmihk ta-anâskêwak mihkwêkin; mîna pêyak wâpowayân êkota tita-astâwak,' ê-itwêt nistês" itêw ôhtâwiya.

(149) “Oh, quite near here he was stopping when I left him. But this is what he says: 'At the far side of the grove from our camp they are to go and set up a tipi,' he says,” said he to his father; “'When they have set up the tipi, they are to place there much grass, and they are to lay on the ground those things which we use as mats. And opposite the entrance they are to use red cloth as a rug; and one blanket-robe they are to place there,' says my older brother,” said he to his father.

(150) "ê hê hê hê ha ha!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw; "mâna nânitaw otisi-misi-wanâcihoh nikosis!" itwêw.

(150) “Alas, alas!” cried the old man; “It looks as though my son had come to some grief!” he cried.

(151) "namôya!" itwêw awa osîmimâw; "kiyâm kakwêyâhok," itêw ôhtâwiya.

(151) “No!” said the younger brother; “Try to do the work quickly,” he told his father.

(152) tâpwê wawêyîwak, ê-nitawi-mânokêcik ôki iskwêwak, awa kisêyiniw maskosiya ê-manisahk, ê-wî-anâskêcik. kiyipa kîsihtâwak.

(152) Accordingly they made ready, the women going and setting up the tent, and the old man mowing grass to use on the floor. Quickly they finished it.

(153) "ahaw, sâsay êkwa, nikosis!" itêw.

(153) “There, it is ready, my son!” he told him.

(154) "â, nôhtâ, kiyawâw kahkiyaw êkâ wiya pê-itohtêk; mîna êkâ wiya kakwê-pê-itâpik," itâw.

(154) “Now, Father, all of you, do not come there; and do not try to look,” he told him.

(155) êkosi ê-nitawi-wîhtamawât ostêsa, êkosi kîwêhtahêw awa pâkahkosa; pîhtokahêw, wîkiwâhk ê-ahât, ôma ita mihkwêkin kâ-anâskêwiht. êkosi pa-pimisin awa pâkahkos, ê-akwanahiht, êkwa ê-nâtahk ta-mîcicik awa oskinîkiw. êkosi piyisk tipiskâyiw.

(155) Then he went and told his elder brother, and he brought home the bony spectre; he brought it into their tent and laid it there where the red cloth had been placed as a rug for him. So there lay the bony spectre, covered with a rug, while the youth went to get something for them to eat. At last night fell.

(156) kîtahtawê êkwa ê-wî-wâpaniyik, "nisîm, mahti nâta pimiy," itêw, "êkwa wiyâkan, êkwa askihk."

(156) Then, towards dawn, “Brother, go fetch some fat,” he told him, “and a bowl, and a kettle.”

(157) nâtam. êkwa êwako ê-pêtât, ê-tihkisahk ôma pimiy, êkosi wiyâkanihk sîkinam, ê-tahkikamastât êwako.

(157) He fetched them. When he had brought them, he melted the fat and poured it into the bowl, and set it to cool.

(158) "nâha, pâkahkos, ôma minihkwê!" "kimiywêyihtên pimiy; kititikawinâwâw mâna," itêw.

(158) “Here, Bony Spectre, drink this! You are fond of fat, they always say of the like of you,” he said to it.

(159) namôya wî-otinamiyiwa.

(159) It would not take it.

(160) piyis waniskânêw, êkwa otôniyihk ê-akonahk ôma wiyâkan, "minihkwê!" ê-itât.

(160) At last he raised it from where it lay and held the bowl to its lips, and said to it, “Drink!”

(161) tâpwê piyisk minihkwêw.

(161) At last it really did drink.

(162) "êkoyikohk mistahi minihkwêw," ê-itêyimât, pôni-minahêw.

(162) When he thought, “Now it has drunk much,” he stopped giving it to drink.

(163) kîhtwâm mîna minahêw. kitâw. kîtahtawê ê-mêkwâ-apit awa pâkahkos, kâ-pwa-pwâkomipayit pisisik ê-kaskitêwâkamiyik.

(163) Once more he gave it drink. It drank all. Then soon, as the bony spectre sat there, it vomited, bringing up nothing but a black liquid.

(164) "nisîm, mahti mîna pêyakwâw nâta pimiy," itêw.

(164) “Brother, once more, fetch some fat,” he told him.

(165) âsay mîna pêtâw, mîna êwako ê-tihkisahk; ê-minahât, âsay mîna pwâkomoyiwa. êkwa mitoni askîhtakwâyiw kâ-pâpayihtâyit. mîna minahêw. êkwa ê-pakaskihk ê-osâwâkamiyik. êkosi êkwa pônihêw, kâwi ê-pimisihk.

(165) Again he brought some, and this too he melted, and gave the creature to drink, and again it vomited. This time very green was that which it threw up. Again he gave it to drink. This time, something bright yellow. Then he left it alone, and it lay down again.

(166) kîtahtawê ê-otâkosiniyik, ômisi kâ-itwêt awa pâkahkos: "nîscâs, mahti pêyakwâw minahin pimiy; miyâmay kiwî-pimâcihin," kâ-itwêt awa pâkahkos.

(166) Presently, toward evening, thus spoke that bony spectre: “Cousin, pray once more give me fat to drink; for it is plain that you mean to restore me to life,” said that bony spectre.

(167) "hâw, nisîm, pêyakwâw nâta pimiy." "êkâ wiya wîhtamaw kôhtâwînaw," itêw.

(167) “Come, Brother, once more fetch some fat. Do not tell our father,” he told him.

(168) tâpwê pêtâw pimiy, êwako mîna ê-tihkisahk, ê-minahât mîna. kitâyiwa, mîna ê-pwâkomoyit. êkwa wâpiskâyiw ê-pâpayihtâyit.

(168) Accordingly, he brought fat, and this, too, they melted, and gave to that person to drink. He drank it all, and vomited again. This time, white was that which he throw up.

(169) ê-kîsi-pwâkomoyit, "nîscâs, mitoni êkwa nikiskisin." "niya ôma, nîscâs, ê-papâ-pâkahkôwiyân!" itêw wîscâsa.

(169) When he had done vomiting, “Cousin, now I am fully conscious. It is I, my cousin, who have been going about in the form of a bony spectre!” he told his cousin.

(170) êwako kâ-kî-nipahâhkatosot oskinîkiw kâ-miyosit.

(170) He was none other than that handsome youth who had starved to death.

(171) êkosi êkwa awa osîma, "hâ, nisîm, tahto kâ-ayât kôhtâwiyinaw maskihkiya ta-pakâhtâwak," itêw osîma; "êkâya wîhtamaw." "mistahi ôma ê-wî-miywêyihtamahk, pimâcihâyahko kîscâsinaw," itêw.

(171) Then said the one to his brother, “Come, Brother, let them set to boil as many medicinal herbs as our father has. Do you tell him this. Greatly now we shall rejoice, if we restore our cousin to life,” he said to him.

(172) tâpwê nitawi-sîhkimêw ôhtâwiya. tâpwê pakâhtâw maskihkiya awa kisêyiniw. ê-kîsihtât, êwako ôma ohci mîna ê-minahâcik wîscâsiwâwa, êkosi tâpwê pimâtisiyiwa.¹⁵

êkwa asamêwak, êkwa wîstawâw ê-mîcisocik.

(172) So he went to make the request of his father. Accordingly, the old man set the medicines to boil. When he had finished this, again, they gave to their cousin to drink, and now truly he lived. Then they gave him food, and they, too, ate.

(173) "nîscâs, tâpwê nimiywêyihtên, ê-pimâtisiyân, ê-wâpamitakok!" "piko ê-itwêyan nika-tôtên, ê-pimâcihiyan."

(173) “Cousin, truly, I am glad to live and look upon all of you! Whatever you say I will do, for you have restored me to life.”

(174) "â, namôya, nîscâs! kiya nawac piko ê-itwêyan nika-tôtênân." "nama wîhkâc kêkway ka-nâtên," itêw wîscâsa.

(174) “Oh, no, Cousin! Rather, whatever you say, we others will do. Never shall you go for anything,” he told his cousin.

(175) iyikohk ê-miyoskawiyit, êkwa, "nîscâs, êkwa cî kâh-wâpamikwak nôhtâwiy nikâwiy mîna nimis?" itwêyiwa.

(175) Then, when he was quite well, “Cousin, may my father and mother and sister see you now?” he asked.

(176) "êha, nika-pê-wâpamikwak."

(176) “Yes, let them come and see me.”

(177) êkwa nitawi-wîhtamawêwak.

(177) Then they went to tell them.

(178) "nôhtâ, 'tânisi ôki êtahkamikisicik?' kitêyihtên." "ôma kâ-mâciyâhk pâkahkos ê-kî-otihtikoyâhk, êwako ê-pê-kîwêhtahâyâhk;" "nîscâs opakêsêwiyâkan ê-ayât pâkahkos, kâ-kî-pê-kîwêhtahâyâhk." "êwako ana ê-mâh-minahiht pimiy, iyikohk ê-âpahkawisit, êkwa maskihkiya kâ-pakâhtâyan, êkwani mîna ê-mâh-minahâyâhk." "êkosi êkwa, 'nipê-wâpamikwak,' ê-itikoyêk, êwako êsa ana, "kî-misi-wanâcihâw", kâ-kî-itiht nîscâs, êsa ana ê-pâkahkôwit." "mâka êkwa kâwi êkwa âpisisin," itêw.

(178) “Father, 'What are these persons trying to do?' you are thinking. That time when we were hunting, a bony spectre came where we were, and we brought it home here with us; because the bony spectre had our cousin's gaming-bowl, we brought it home with us. Then, when it was given repeated drinks of fat, when he came to himself, that was when you set medicines to boil, and these, too, we gave him to drink. And so now, 'They may come and see me,' he says to you, for he turns out to be none other than that cousin of mine, of whom it was said, 'He has been destroyed;' it appears that he has been in the form of a bony spectre. But now he has come back to his natural state,” he told him.

(179) êkosi êkwa ê-ati-wayawît, ôki ôki ê-itohtêcik, tâpwê wâpamêwak. nisitawêyimêwak, ê-atamiskawâcik.

(179) Then, as he left the tent, these people went there and really, they saw him. They recognized him, and welcomed him.

(180) êkosi êkota ay-ayâwak.

(180) So there they all stayed.

(181) kîtahtawê mâna, "nîscâs, ôta kisiwâk ayâwak môswak. nitawi-nipa," ê-itwêt awa kâ-kî-pâkahkôwit, êkosi ê-nitawi-nipahâcik ôhi, piyis kiyipa tâhcipôw.

(181) Often, in the time that followed, “Cousin, some moose are close by. Go kill one,” he would say who had been a bony spectre, and they would go kill one, and so finally, he soon recovered his flesh with good fare.

(182) êkosi êkwa pê-sipwêhtêwak, êkwa ê-kîwêhtahâcik wîscâsiwâwa. piyis ê-nîpiniyik, takosinwak ôta pêhonânihk. namôya ita ê-wîkiwiht wî-kapêsiwak, êkâ ta-wâpamimiht ôhi, mîna êkâ ta-pêhtahk nâha kisêyiniw kâ-kî-nipahâhkatosohât. êwako ohci kâ-ôh-kâtâcik ôhi wîscâsiwâwa. piyisk pê-sipwêpiciwak. namôya êkota ayâyiwa osisiwâwa. kâwi kâ-kîsi-miyosit awa oskinîkiw, êkosi isi miyosiw. êkwa ê-pê-nimitâsipicicik, kîtahtawê wâpamêwak ayîsiyiniwa. ê-kakwêcihkêmocik, osisiwâwa namôya wâhyaw âcimimâwa ê-wîkiyit. awa ostêsimâw ispayiw, ê-nitawâpamât osisa. tâpwê wâpamêw. mâtoyiwa osikosa, âsay ê-kiskisiyit okosisiyiwa.

(182) So then they set out to come here, to bring their cousin home. At last, in spring, they arrived here at Battleford. They did not care to camp where the people were staying, lest he be seen, and lest the old man hear of it who had starved him. For this reason they kept their cousin concealed. At last they moved their camp and brought it here. Their uncle was not there. That youth was now again as handsome as he had formerly been. Then, as they came trekking into the open country, presently they came in sight of people. When they asked, their uncle was said to be camping not far from there. The older brother rode there, to see his uncle. He saw him. His aunt wept, remembering her son.

(183) "êkâ wiya mâto, nisikosê," itêw.

(183) “Do not weep, my aunt,” he said to her.

(184) êkosi miyik osisa miskotâkay ê-mîkisiwiyik, sihkosiwayâna ê-kikamoyit, mîna mitâsa. mitâsa piko otinam.

(184) Then his uncle gave him a beaded jacket with weaselskin tassels, and breeches. He took only the breeches.

(185) "ôma wiya miskotâkay nânitaw ka-kî-itâpacihtân," itêw osisa, "nîscâs tita-oskotâkât," ê-itêyihtahk; "hâ, nisisê, kisiwâk ôma ôta niwîkinân." "ê-pê-nitomitân, wâpahki ta-pê-ispiciyan," itêw.

(185) “As for this jacket, you will have use for it,” he told his uncle, and his thought was, “My cousin shall have it.” -- “Now, uncle, we are camping close by here. I have come to invite you to move your camp there tomorrow,” he told him.

(186) namôya wîhtamawêw ê-pimâtisiyit wîscâsa. êkosi isi kîwêpayiw. ê-tipiskâk takosin. âcimostawêw wîscâsa.

(186) He did not tell him that his cousin was alive. Thereupon he rode back. He arrived at nightfall. He told his cousin what he had done.

(187) "niwâpamâwak kôhtâwiy." "wâpahki ôta ta-pâpiciwak," itêw; "namôya niwîhtamawâwak ê-pimâtisiyan," itêw.

(187) “I have seen your father and his people. Tomorrow they will move their camp here,” he told him; “I did not tell them that you are alive,” he told him.

(188) êkwa tâpwê ê-wâpaniyik pâpiciyiwa. kisiwâk kapêsiyiwa. mâtôwak ê-wâpamâcik.

(188) Then really, the next day, the others came with their camp. They encamped close by. They wept when they saw them.

(189) "yâ, nicâhkos, êkâya mâtok!" itêw ocâhkosa.

(189) “Oh, Sister-in-Law, do not weep!” said the woman to her sister-in-law.

(190) kîskowêyiwa. êkwa wêskwâhtêmihk pimisin awa oskinîkiw, ê-wêwêkisihk.

(190) They ceased lamenting. Opposite the entranceway lay that youth, wrapped in a covering.

(191) "hâw, ôta ta-pê-pîhtokêw nisis êkwa nisikos," itêw.

(191) “Now then, my uncle and aunt are to come inside here,” he told them.

(192) pîhtokêwak, êkotê ê-isi-sâwahtoyit okosisa.

(192) They entered and stood at the foot-end of their son's couch.

(193) "nisisê, tânisi ka-itêyihtên, wâpamat nîscâs?"

(193) “Uncle, what would you think, if you saw my cousin?”

(194) tapahtiskwêyiyiwa.

(194) He bowed his head.

(195) "nitihkwâ, nika-miywêyihtên, kîscâs wâpamak ita ê-pimisihk," itwêw awa okimâw.

(195) “Nephew, I should be glad to see the place where your cousin lies,” said that chief.

(196) "hâ, nîscâs, waniskâ!" itêw.

(196) “Come, Cousin, arise!” he bade him.

(197) ê-waniskâyit, awîna ôhi, êwakoni okosisa wâwiyak! kêkâc kipatâhtam awa kisêyiniw, iyikohk ê-miywêyihtahk, ê-wâpamât okosisa. êkosi mistahi miywêyihtamwak.

(197) When he arose, who was it but, incredibly, his son! The old man almost choked with emotion, so happy was he, when he beheld his son. So they rejoiced greatly.

(198) êkosi ê-wâpaniyik, ispiciwak pêhonânihk. mâka namôya wîhtamwak ê-pimâtisiyit ôhi oskinîkiwa, ê-kostâcik nêhi kisêyiniwa, "mâskôc pêhtahki, mîna nika-misi-wanâcihikonân," ê-itêyihtahkik. tâpwê kapêsiwak. ê-wâpahk, sakâw-iyinîsak kâ-pâpicicik, awîna ôhi, êkwa kâ-ayâyit ôhi kâ-kî-nipahâhkatosohikot, êkwa ê-wî-mâhiskamiyit.

(198) Then, on the next day, they moved their camp to Battleford. But they did not make it known that that youth was alive, for they feared yonder old man, thinking, “Perhaps, if he hears this, he will destroy us all.” So they pitched camp. The next day some Bush Folk came camping there, and, behold, among them was the one who had starved him, coming to trade at the post.

(199) "nîscâs, mahti nitawâpahkêk, mahti kê-wâpamâyêk niwîkimâkan," itêw.

(199) “Cousin, pray, go look if you can see my wife,” he told them.

(200) tâpwê itohtêwak ôki oskinîkiwak. nawac kiyipa kâ-pê-pîhtokêyit ôhi sakâw-iyiniwa, wâpamikwak wîscâsiwâwa owîkimâkaniyiwa. kêyâpic namwâc wawêsiyiwa, kêyâpic ê-mihtâtât awa owîkimâkana, nîso-pipon aspin kâ-nipahâhkatosoyit, kâ-itêyihtahk, owîkimâkana. mayaw ê-wâpamât ôhi oskinîkiwa, sêmâk tapahtiskwêyiw awa oskinîkiskwêw, ê-pahpahkikawâpit, owîkimâkana wîscâsiyiwa ê-nisitawêyimât.

(200) So those young men went there. That Bush Cree had come and entered before them, and their cousin's wife saw them. Even now she had not put on any ornaments, for she was still grieving for her husband, who had, so far as she knew, starved to death two years before. As soon as she saw those youths, the young woman bowed her head and wept, because she recognized her husband's cousins.

(201) êkwa awa kisêyiniw, "ê hê hê hêy ha ha!" itwêw; "ita oka-kî-miywêyihtêh ninahâhkisîm, wîscâsa kî-wâpamât, êkâ katawa kâ-kî-ay-ispayiyâhk!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(201) And that old man cried, “Dear me, dear me! How happy my son-in-law would have been to see his cousins, unlucky as we have been!” said that old man.

(202) êkosi kiyipa ati-wayawîwak ôki oskinîkiwak, wîscâsiwâwa ê-wî-âcimostawâcik.

(202) At that those youths quickly went out, to go tell their cousin.

(203) "nîscâs, niwâpamânân nitawêmânân."¹⁶

"kêyâpic namôya nânapâcihow." "tâpwê êsa kikî-mihtâtik." "mayaw ê-nisitawêyimikoyâhk sêmâk pahpahkikawâpiw," itêw.

(203) “Cousin, we have seen our kinswoman. Even now she wears no finery. It seems that truly she has been grieving for you. As soon as she recognized us, she shed tears,” he told him.

(204) iyikohk ê-pimi-kîwêyit, êkwa kâ-itohtêt awa nôtokêsiw, ostima ê-nitawi-wâpamât, "nitawi-nitom," ê-itât awa oskinîkiw okâwiya. itohtêw.

(204) As soon as they went on home, that old woman went there to visit her daughter-in-law, for, “Go see her,” that youth had said to his mother. She went there.

(205) ê-pîhtokêt, "hêy hêy hêy hi hi!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(205) When she entered, “Dear me, dear me!” cried that old man.

(206) mâtôw awa oskinîkiskwêw, osikosa ê-wâpamât.

(206) The young woman wept, when she saw her mother-in-law.

(207) awa wiya kisêyiniw, "êhêhêy hi hi!" kâ-itwêt; "oka-kî-miywêyihtêh ninahâhkisîm, ita ta-kî-wâpamât okâwiya ôhtâwiya, iyikohk kâ-kî-kîsinâcihikôwisiyâhk, ê-misi-wanâtisit ninahâhkisîm," itwêw.

(207) But the old man cried, “Dear me, dear me! How glad my son-in-law would have been, to see here his mother and his father, cruelly deprived as we have been by powers above our control, in my son-in-law's destruction!” he said.

(208) namôya ê-kiskêyihtahk ê-pimâtisiyit awa kâ-itwêt kisêyiniw.

(208) The old man said this not knowing that the other lived.

(209) êkwa tipiskâyiw.

(209) Then night came.

(210) "ê-pê-nitomak awa nistim, ê-wî-wâpamikot osisa," itêw.

(210) “I have come to invite my daughter-in-law here, for her father-in-law wishes to see her,” she told them.

(211) "hâ, niyâ, nitânis! wiyâyêpac kinôhtê-wâpamik nitihtâwâw!" itêw.

(211) “There, go, Daughter! It is gratifying that my fellow-father-in-law wishes to see you!” he said to her.

(212) kîwê-wîcêwêw.

(212) She went home with her.

(213) wâhyawês ê-ihtâcik, "nisikosê, konita aniki kâ-mihtâtâmôwi-kîskwêcik, kikosisa wiyawâw aniki ê-misi-wanâcihâcik." "ahpô ôma wâh-mâtoyâni, nôhcihikwak," itwêw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(213) When they had gone a ways, “Mother-in-Law, it is but in pretense that those people carry on as though they were grieving, for it is they who destroyed your son. Even when I would weep, they stop me,” said the young woman.

(214) "â, nistim, êkâ wiya âtota kiyâm!" itêw.

(214) “Oh, Daughter-in-Law, please, do not speak of that!” she told her.

(215) êkosi pîhtokêwak wîkiwâhk. ê-atamiskawât osisa, mâtôw.

(215) So they entered their dwelling. When she greeted her father-in-law, she wept.

(216) "kiyâm api, nistim." "êkâya mâto," itêw.

(216) “Be quiet, Daughter-in-Law. Do not weep,” he told her.

(217) êkwa ê-kî-mîcisot, "kîwê êkwa, nistim." "mistahi ta-tipiskâw," itêw.

(217) Then, when she had eaten, “Go home now, my daughter-in-law. It is getting very dark,” she told her.

(218) êkosi wayawiyiwa. êkotê awa oskinîkiw askamawêw. êwako ohci kâ-ôh-itât awa nôtokêsiw, êkosi ê-kî-itikot okosisa. êkwa awa oskinîkiw ita ê-pimisihk, ê-pimohtêyit, pasikôw, ê-miciminât.

(218) So she went out of the tent. There that young man was lying in wait for her. That was why the old woman had said this to her, for her son had bidden her so. Then, where the young man lay, as she walked by, he arose and seized hold of her.

(219) "kiyâm pakitinin!" "aspin niwîkimâkan kâ-misi-wanâtisit, namôya wîhkâc êkosi nititêyihtên, kotak nâpêw ta-nitawêyimak," itêw.

(219) “Do let me go! Ever since my husband came to grief, I have never had the feeling of wishing for another man,” she said to him.

(220) "hâ, namôya ka-kî-pakitinitn!" "niya ôma, niwîkimâkan! nipimâtisin ôma!" "êwako anima ita kâ-kî-nakasiyêk, êkosi anima nikî-pê-sa-sipwêhtân," itêw.

(220) “Oh, I shall not let you go! It is I, my wife! I am alive! From that place where you left me behind, I have come here,” he told her.

(221) ânwêhtâk.

(221) She did not believe him.

(222) "êkwa nôhtâwiy wîkiwâhk itohtêtân pita, kâ-ôh-pê-wayawiyan," itêw.

(222) “Then let us but go to my father's dwelling, from which you have even now come,” he told her.

(223) namôya tâpwêhtam.

(223) She paid no heed to this.

(224) "mâcikôtitân ôma ita nipakêsêwiyâkan!" itêw.

(224) “Look, here is my bowl for the cup-game!” he said to her.

(225) êkoyikohk tâpwêhtam awa oskinîkiskwêw, konita ê-mâtot, ê-oy-ocêmât onâpêma, êkwa ê-kîwêhtahikot. ê-pîhtokêcik êkwa, tâpwê mitoni nisitawêyimêw onâpêma.

(225) Then the young woman believed it, and wept without grief, kissing her husband again and again, as he took her back to his dwelling. When now they entered, she did indeed fully recognize her husband.

(226) êkosi êkwa êkota ayâwak. iyikohk ê-wâpaniyik, ka-kaskikwâsôw, ê-miyât awa iskwêw ostima ta-otayôwinisiyit. iyikohk ê-âkwâ-kîsikâyik, pê-nâtik omisa. kâsôw awa oskinîkiw. namôya wâpamik wîtimwa. kêyâpic kaskikwâsoyiwa.

(226) So there they stayed then. The next day she spent at sewing, for that woman gave her daughter-in-law things to wear. At noon, her elder sister came to get her. The youth hid himself. His sister-in-law did not see him. His wife kept on sewing.

(227) "ta-pê-kîwêyan êkwa!" itêw.

(227) “You are to come home now!” she told her.

(228) "nistim pita ta-kîsikwâtam ocayôwinisisa." "kîsikwâtahk itâp ta-kîwêw," itêw.

(228) “My daughter-in-law is first to sew her garments. When she has finished sewing them, she will come home,” she told her.

(229) iyikohk ê-tipiskâyik, êkwa kîwêw awa oskinîkiskwêw. wîcêwêw owîkimâkana. ê-pîhtokêt awa iskwêw, nâwayês kâ-pîhtokêyit onâpêma. sêkisiw awa kisêyiniw.

(229) When darkness was failing, then the young woman went home. Her husband went with her. When she entered the tipi, her husband went in behind her. The old man was frightened.

(230) "ninahâhkisîm, kiyâm nika-pimâtisin!" itêw.

(230) “My son-in-law, please let me live!” he said to him.

(231) "yâ, nimanâcimâkan, namôya nânitaw kititêyimitin, ê-kî-âta-tôtawiyan;" "nama nânitaw nititêyihtên!"

(231) “Oh, my father-in-law, I bear you no grudge at all, even though you did that to me; I do not think anything of it!”

(232) tahto kêkway ê-miywâsiniyik ê-kî-atâwêt awa kisêyiniw, kahkiyaw miyêw onahâhkisîma, mîna ê-iskonât atâwâkana, nikikwayâna, pahkêkinwa, ê-miyât.

(232) As many fine things as that old man had bought at the trading-post, all of them he gave to his son-in-law, as well as the furs which he had kept out for himself; otterskins, and cured buffalo hides he gave him.

(233) "kiyâm nika-pimâtisin, ninahâhkisîm!" itêw.

(233) “Pray let me live, my son-in-law!” he said to him.

(234) "êkosi namôya nânitaw nititêyihtên," itwêw awa oskinîkiw.

(234) “I tell you, I think nothing at all of it,” the youth answered him.

(235) êkosi ê-ati-pasikôt, ê-kîwêcik owîkimâkana, ocayânisiwâwa ê-kîwêhtatâcik, mistahi mâkwêyimôw awa kisêyiniw, onahâhkisîma ê-nisitawêyimât.

(235) Then he rose to his feet, and he and his wife went home, taking their belongings with them; and greatly worried was that old man, having recognized his son-in-law.

(236) êkwa ê-kawisimocik, "niwîkimâkan," itwêw awa oskinîkiw, "tânisi, kimiywêyihtên cî ê-owôhtâwîyan?"

(236) Then, as they went to bed, “My wife,” said that young man, “Tell me, are you glad that you have a father?”

(237) "namôya! nikisiwâhik ana, mâna ê-kî-kitimahisk, ê-kî-kakwâtakihisk." "nawac kiya nimiywêyihtên ê-wâpamitân," itêw.

(237) “No! He made me hate him, when he made you miserable and tormented you. I am far more glad that I can lay eyes upon you,” she told him.

(238) "hâw, tâni ana mîna êkosi isi nôcihtât tâpiskôc kôhtâwiy?" itêw.

(238) “Now, which ones have followed the same ends as your father?” he asked her.

(239) "nikâwiy ana wiya miyo-pimâtisiw, êkwa ana kâ-askôwiskawak." "nimis wiya ana omisimâw, kâ-itâtisit nôhtâwiy, êkosi itâtisiw," itêw.

(239) “As for my mother, she is a good person, and so is the sister to whom I am next in age. But as for my oldest sister, she is of the same character as my father,” she told him.

(240) "kah!"

(240) “I see!”

(241) êkosi ômisi itêyihtam awa oskinîkiw: "hâw, anohc ôma kâ-wî-nipât, kayâhtê namôya ta-kî-waskawîw;" "ta-nipôwisiw awa kisêyiniw!" "mîna namôya ta-nihtâwêw!" "iyikohk takwâkiki, ta-pwâna-waskawîw!" "êkosi êkota mîna kiyipa otânisa ka-pwâna-waskawiyiwa, anihi omisimâwa!" itêyihtam, êkwa ê-kawisimot.

(241) Then that youth thought, “Now, tonight when he sleeps, let him suddenly lose the power of moving his limbs; let that old man be paralyzed! And let him lose the power of speech! Until autumn comes, let him be unable to stir a limb! And also let his daughter soon lose the power of movement, that eldest one!” he thought, and lay down to sleep.

(242) kîtahtawê ê-wâpaniyik, namôya waskawîw ana kisêyiniw, ê-nipôwisit. êkwa namôya nihtâwêw. pê-nitomâw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(242) Then, in the morning, that old man could not stir, and was paralyzed. Also, he could not speak. That young woman was sent for.

(243) "pê-nitawâpam kôhtâwiyinaw!" "tânisi êtokê isi-ayâw!" "kayâhtê nipôwisiw; namôya mîna pîkiskwêw," pê-itêw awa osîma.

(243) “Come, see our father! What can be the matter with him? Suddenly he has become paralyzed; and he does not speak,” one came and told her sister.

(244) "namôya niwî-nitawâpamâw," itêw omisa.

(244) “I do not care to go and see him,” she told her elder sister.

(245) iyikohk awa oskinîkiw, "mahti nitawâpamâtân kôhtâwiy," itêw.

(245) But the young man, in turn, said to her, “Let us go see your father.”

(246) tâpwê itohtêwak. ê-pîhtokêt, mayaw ê-nisitawêyimât awa kisêyiniw onahâhkisîma, konita ê-cîpitonêyit, "nika-atamiskawâw," ê-itêyimât onahâhkisîma.

(246) So they went there. When he entered, as soon as the old man recognized his son-in-law, he helplessly twitched the muscles of his face, thinking of his son-in-law, “Let me greet him.”

(247) "yahôw, tânisi êkwa tiyôtahk kisêyiniw, konita kâ-ca-cîpitonêyit sakâw-iyiniw omanitôwiw?" itêw.

(247) “Why, what is the old man doing, twisting his face that silly way, the manitou Bush Cree?” he asked him.

(248) êkwa ôki oskinîkiskwêwak ê-kakîsimototawâcik wîtimowâwa ta-kakwê-pimâcihâyit ôhtâwiyiwâwa, "namôya nânitaw nika-kî-tôtên, êkâ mâ manitôwiyân." "wiya kôhtâwiyiwâw manitôwiw, kahkiyaw awiya ê-itikot sakâw-iyiniwa," itêw, êkosi ê-ati-wayawît, ê-kîwêt.

(248) Then, when those young women implored their brother-in-law to try to restore their father to life, “I cannot do anything, since of course I have no manitou power. It is your father has manitou power, as all the Bush Cree say of him,” he told them, and with that left the tent and went home.

(249) êkosi êwako.

(249) So much for this.

(250) iyikohk ê-takwâkiniyik, nipiw awa kisêyiniw. êkosi mîna kiyipa otânisa nipiyiwa.

(250) When autumn came, the old man died. Likewise his daughter soon died.

(251) êkosi êkoyikohk êskwâk âcimôwin.

(251) Now, this is the end of the story.

Footnotes

¹LB on t-âtâwêyân: The word is atâwêw: “he trades (especially furs against White Man's products)”; I do not know whether it can bear the meaning I have given in the translation, or how else it may fit here.

²LB on êwako: He makes a circumlocution, instead of using the word “horse.” This may be the same word-avoidance as that which I met; the old man is talking, if not to a foreigner, at least to a member of a different branch of the Cree tribe, of a markedly different dialect.

³LB on tit-ôtêmiyân: The word here is otêmiw: “he has a horse, dog, or other familiar animal”. Probably the form in the text is an error of speech or record for tit-otôtêmiyân, from otôtêmiw: “he has a kinsman,” and the sentence should be translated, “to have a Plains Cree in my family.” Cf. the next note.

⁴LB on otôtêmiyahk: Perhaps the reverse of the preceding error, for otêmiyahk or tit-ôtêmiyahk: “to have such an animal”.

⁵CHECK wîhkayimik - ? cîhkêyimik PROBABLY

⁶CHECK piciwânan WEIRD

⁷LB on oh-pih-wîhtamâkawiyin: Probably read k-ôh-pêh-

⁸LB on namoya: The normal combination is nama kêkway: “nothing”; here the more general negative namoya is used, probably because kêkway kiskêyihtam: “he knows something” has here the specialized sense of “he has mystic knowledge.”

⁹CHECK - add verb HCW

¹⁰LB on âhcih: âhcih: “from one place to another; continuing, in spite”; probably read ohci: “thence, therefore, by means of that.”

¹¹tâpwêhtawêw probably typo

¹²LB on kâ-pêh-sâkôwêwiht: Probably read kâ-pêh-sâkôwêyit: “the other came a-whooping.”

¹³LB: I do not know what the bony spectres do, beyond wrestling.

¹⁴CHECK iyây (IC of heavy reduplication?) YUP and (VII) dubitative.

¹⁵LB on oscâsiwâwa: The normal form is wîstsâsiwâwa, but cf., a few lines below, ostâsah for wîstâsah; perhaps a neologism.

¹⁶LB on ntawêmânân: nitawêmâw: “my sister (man speaking); my brother (woman speaking)” is widely used between persons of the opposite sex; whether the use here, in the sense of “my cross-cousin's wife (man speaking)” is specialized or not, I cannot say.