(1) pêyak êsa nâpêw kaspwân isiyîhkâsôw. itôwahk nawac piko kâ-môhcôwicik, kisâstaw êkotôwahk êsa awa awa nâpêw. êkwa mistahi kitimâkêyimik ostêsa. êkwa kîtahtawê âhkosiyiwa. êkwa wiya kaspwân nama wîhkâc êsa atoskêw. êkwa piko awâsisa nayêstaw piko ê-mêtawâkêt, êwako piko nayêstaw ê-isi-atoskêt. nama kêkway kotak êwako piko ê-atoskâtahk, awâsisa piko ê-otaminât. nîsiyiwa ostêsa ocawâsimisiyiwa. kîtahtawê ostêsa ôki maci-ayîsiyiniwak ê-mihcêticik nipahêwak êwakoni anihi. êkwa wiya piko kaspwân kâ-isiyîhkâsot êkwa mistahi ê-kihtimit. kêyiwêhk pamihêw awa iskwêw wîtimwa; mistahi kitimâkêyimêw. êkwa piko awâsisa nayêstaw ê-otaminât. mistahi mâna pakwâtam awa iskwêw, êkâ wîhkâc ê-atoskêyit ôhi wîtimwa. ahpô nama wîhkâc nikohtêw awa kaspwân, osâm mistahi ê-kihtimit, êkwa piko wîtimwa ê-atoskêyit. êtataw nawac piko êsa asamisôwak.

(1) A certain man, the story goes, was called Gaspard. Of the kind that are more crazy than anything else, of that kind, to all appearance, was that man. His elder brother was fond of him and cared for him. Then at one time the elder brother took sick. But as for Gaspard, he never worked. He only played with the children, that was the only kind of work he did. At nothing else he worked, only at amusing the children. His brother had two children. Presently those evil men, who were many, killed that elder brother of his. Then there was left only that Gaspard, who was so lazy. That woman took such care as she was able of her brother-in-law; she treated him with most pitying kindness. And all he did, even now, was to amuse the children. The woman was very much dissatisfied because her brother-in-law never worked. That Gaspard never even gathered firewood, for he was too lazy; his sister-in-law did all the work. They had barely enough to eat.

(2) kîtahtawê ômisi itêyihtam, ê-wî-mâcîwiht: "mahti nika-wîcihiwân!" itêyihtam êsa awa iskwêw; "mâskôc wî-wêpihihci nîtim," itêyihtam êsa.

(2) Presently, when the people were about to go on a hunt, she thought, “I had better go along!” thought the woman; “Perhaps my brother-in-law will be aroused to some activity,” she thought.

(3) tâpwê êkosi isi isi-wîcêwêw. êkwa nama kêkway âhci piko awa kaspwân, piyisk âta ê-wâh-wanihikêwiht. piyisk êkosi isi isi-piciwân. nitawâc namôya awa iskwêw wî-piciw. ayisk namôya wîtimwa wî-atoskêyiwa. êkwa awa iskwêw wâkayôsa miskawêw. nipahêw êsa. mistahi ê-wiyinoyit, êkota ohci mistahi mâwacihtâw pimiy. êkwa wâposwa ê-nâ-nipahât, piyisk mistahi mîsihtâw. êkwa kîtahtawê kîkisêpâ namwâc wî-mîcisôw awa kaspwân. mâmaskâtam awa wîtimwa êkâ ê-wî-mîcisoyit awa iskwêw.

(3) So accordingly she took him along. But Gaspard still did nothing at all, even though the people were trapping. Finally their band moved camp. The woman needs determined not to move. For her brother-in-law would not do any work. Then the woman found a bear. She killed it. As the beast was very fat, she took a great amount of grease from it. And since she also kept killing rabbits, finally she had a big store of food. Then at one time Gaspard would not eat anything in the morning. The woman was surprised that her brother-in-law would not eat.

(4) "tânêhki ôma êkâ o-wî-mîcisot?" itêyihtam êsa.

(4) “Why does he not want to eat?” she thought.

(5) âsay mîna namôya mîcisôw ê-âpihtâ-kîsikâyik. piyisk ê-tipiskâyik namôya mîcisôw. êkwa mistahi pakwâtam awa iskwêw¹

ê-wâpaniyik mîna ê-asamât, namôya wî-mîcisoyiwa. piyisk mîna tipiskâyiw, êkâ ê-wî-mîcisot.

(5) At noon again he did not eat. Then, in the evening, he did not eat. The woman greatly disliked this. In the morning, when again she gave him food, he would not eat. Night came, and still he would not eat.

(6) "tânêhki ôma?" itwêw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(6) “What is the matter?” said the young woman.

(7) êkwa, "nîtim, êkâya nânitaw itêyihta." "namôya ê-âhkosiyân," itwêw êsa awa kaspwân.

(7) Then, “Sister-in-Law, do not worry about it. It is not that I am ill,” said Gaspard.

(8) "kêhcinâ," itêyihtam awa iskwêw, "ê-akâwâsit," itêyimêw ôhi wîtimwa.

(8) “Surely,” thought the woman, “he must be falling in love with me,” she thought of her brother-in-law.

(9) êkwa kîtahtawê ômisi itwêw: "nîtim, êkâya êkosi itêyimin." "konita êkosi kitêyihtên," itwêw êsa.

(9) Then presently he spoke thus: “Sister-in-Law, do not think that of me. You are mistaken in thinking that,” he said.

(10) êkwa kîtahtawê nêwo-kîsikâw namôya êsa mîcisôw.

(10) Then presently, for four days he had not eaten.

(11) ôta ômisi êsa itwêw: "nîtim," itwêw êsa, "ana oskinîkiskwêw ôta kâ-kî-ayât wîhtikôwiw." "piko kita-kakwêyâhoyan ta-tapasîyahk," itwêw êsa; "anohc kâ-tipiskâk kahkiyaw ayîsiyiniwa êkotê kâ-ayâyit ta-mêscihêw," itwêw êsa; "wâpahki tipiskâki ôta ta-takohtêw," itwêw êsa; "tapasîtân kiyâm," itwêw êsa awa nâpêw.

(11) Then he spoke as follows: “Sister-in-Law,” he said, “that young woman who was here has become a Windigo. The only thing for you to do is to hurry preparations that we may flee,” he said; “This very night she will kill all the people who are staying over there,” he said; “Tomorrow night she will arrive here,” he said; “Let us flee, do,” said that man.

(12) tâpwê ê-wâpaniyik mayaw mâci-wawêyîwak.

(12) Then in the morning, at once they began to make ready.

(13) "têpiyâhk kicawâsimisak ita ta-pôsihacik pêyak piko otâpânâsk sipwêhta."

(13) “Take along at any rate one sled, so that you can at least let your children ride.”

(14) tâpwê nêwo atimwa êsa wiyahpitêw. êkwa ôhi wêwêkinêw otâpânâskwa, têpiyâhk êkosi isi ê-isi-tapasîcik. âsay êkwa mâmaskâtêw awa iskwêw wîtimwa pêyâhtik ê-pa-pimohtêyit; êkwa wiya mitoni sîhkimik sôhki kita-pakamahwât atimwa. tâpwê tapasîw.

(14) Accordingly she harnessed four dogs. She covered the sled, and with nothing more they went. It was not long before the woman was wondering at the way her brother-in-law slowly walked along; for at the same time he was urging her to beat the dogs to a good pace. So she fled.

(15) "êkâya manâtaskâsin," itwêw awa kaspwân.

(15) “Do not worry about leaving me behind,” said Gaspard.

(16) tâpwê sôhki tapasîw awa iskwêw, âhci piko kâ-pa-pmohtêyit ôhi wîtimwa. mâmaskâtam, âhci piko ê-pa-pmohtêyit pêyâhtik.

(16) Really, the woman fled with speed, while her brother-in-law merely strolled along. She wondered at the quiet way he ambled on.

(17) êkwa itêw, "kisiwâk êkwa pê-ayâw." "kahkiyaw êkwa anihi kâ-kî-piciyit kitamwêw," itwêw awa nâpêw.

(17) Then he told her, “Now she has come near. She is eating up all those who moved camp,” said that man.

(18) mistahi pakwâtam awa iskwêw.

(18) The woman was greatly distressed.

(19) "êcika awa ê-manitôwit!" itêyimêw êsa wîtimwa; "êwako êcika awa êkâ kâ-ôh-wî-atoskêt!" itêyihtam êsa awa iskwêw.

(19) “So it seems that he has manitou power!” she thought of her brother-in-law; “So that is why he will never do any work!” thought the woman.

(20) êkwa ati-tipiskâyiw. ê-ati-tipiskâyik, âhci piko pimâmôwak.

(20) Darkness was falling. When it grew dark, they nevertheless went fleeing on.

(21) "nîtim, êkwa kîkinaw pê-otihtam," itwêw êsa.

(21) “Sister-in-Law, now she has reached our dwelling,” he said.

(22) êkwa tâpwê tapasîwak.

(22) Then truly they fled.

(23) "pita aywêpi; mîcisôw."

(23) “Stop and rest; eat.”

(24) êkwa tâpwê mîcisôw awa iskwêw. mayaw ê-kîsi-mîcisocik, atimwa ê-kî-asamât, tapasîwak. êkwa tâpwê ê-ati-wâpaniyik, misi-sâkahikan otihtamwak.

(24) So then the woman ate. As soon as they had eaten, after feeding the dogs, they went on in flight. Then, as dawn came, they reached a large lake.

(25) "wêpinik atimwak," itêw wîtimwa.

(25) “Turn the dogs loose,” he told his sister-in-law.

(26) tâpwê awa iskwêw wêpinêw atimwa. êkwa wîtimwa nayômêw êkwa ocawâsimisa. pêyak awa iskwêw nayômêw; êkwa awa nâpêw tahkonêw wîtimwa mîna nayômêw.²

êkwa tapasîw. atimwa wêpinêwak. êkwa kâ-pêtisâpamâcik miskwamîhk ê-pê-pmohtêyit ôhi iskwêwa.

(26) So the woman turned the dogs loose. Then he took his sister-in-law and the children on his back. The woman took one on her back; the man took hold of his sister-in-law, and bore her on his back. Then he fled. They turned loose the dogs. And then they saw that woman come walking toward them over the ice.

(27) kîtahtawê, "sôhki tapasî, nîtim." "âsay kikitimâkêyimin!" itwêw awa iskwêw.

(27) Then, soon, “Flee with all your might, Brother-in-Law. You have taken pity on me!” said the woman.

(28) kîtahtawê wâskahikana atâwêkamik ita ê-ayâyik otihtamwak.

(28) Presently they came to some wooden houses of a trading post.

(29) ômisi itwêwak: "awa iskwêw wîhtikôw nipê-mâkohikonân!" itwêw êsa; "mistahi nîtim manitôwiw," itwêw êsa; "kiyâm sîhkimihk; mâskôc ahpô kita-nipahêw wîhtikôwa," itwêw êsa.

(29) They spoke thus: “We have been driven here by that Windigo woman!” she said; “My brother-in-law has great manitou power,” she said; “Do ask him; perhaps he will even kill the Windigo,” she said.

(30) tâpwê otatâwêw wiya tipiyaw itohtêw.

(30) Then the trader came in person.

(31) ômisi itêw anihi nâpêwa: "kitimâkêyiminân, kaspwân!" "osâm nika-mêscihikonân wîhtikôw." "iyikohk âpihtaw ôta kêkway ê-astêk ka-miyitin."

(31) He said to that man, “Take pity on us, Gaspard! The Windigo will destroy us all. Half of the goods that are here I will give you.”

(32) "namôya!"

(32) “No!”

(33) "âta wiya êkoyikohk kêkway mistahi ôta astêw atâwêkamikohk."

(33) “Then all the goods, as many as are here in the trading post.”

(34) "êha," itwêw awa kaspwân, "mâka iskwêwi-ayôwinisa nîswâyihk osîhtâk," itwêw êsa; "kakwêyâhok," itwêw êsa.

(34) “Very well,” said Gaspard, “but make two suits of women's clothes,” he said; “Hurry up,” he said.

(35) tâpwê kakwêyâhowak nîswâyihk iskwêwi-ayôwinisa ê-osîhtâcik. tâpwê êkosi isi wawêyîw.

(35) So they hastened to make two suits of women's clothes. So he dressed himself.

(36) "kîkway mîna?" itik ôhi otatâwêwa.

(36) “What else?” the trader asked him.

(37) "nîso mîna akwanânak ninitawêyimâwak," itêw êsa, "nîso mîna tâpiskâkanak, êkwa cîkahikanis."

(37) “I need also two shawls,” he told him, “and two necklaces, and a hatchet.”

(38) tâpwê kahkiyaw miyâwak. êkwa ê-kî-miyihcik, âhci piko natomêw sênapâna. êkwa postayôwinisêwak. êkwa itohtêwak.

(38) They were given everything. When the things had been given to them, he called for ribbons beside. Then they put on the clothes. Then they went there.

(39) "pê-askôwin, nîtim," itêw êsa.

(39) “Follow close behind me, Sister-in-Law,” he told her.

(40) tâpwê pê-askôwêw awa wîtimwa iskwêw. mayaw ê-otihtâcik, samaskipayihôw maskwamîhk awa oskinîkiskwêw kâ-kî-wîhtikôwit. kâsôw; kâtâw ohkwâkan.

(40) So the woman followed close behind her brother-in-law. As soon as they came to where she was, that young woman who had turned into a windigo throw herself flat on the ice. She hid herself; she hid her face.

(41) "kipê-nitomitin, nicâhkos!" itêw êsa awa kâ-nitawi-nipahât.³

(41) “I have come to invite you, my gossip,” he who had come to kill her said to her.

(42) namwâc êsa wî-kitotik ahpô. namwâc ahpô wî-kitâpamik.

(42) She would not even speak to him. She would not so much as look at him.

(43) "tânisi awa êtahkamikisit?" "mistahi ôma namôya kwayask kitôtên, mihcêt ayîsiyiniwak ê-kitamwacik!" itwêw êsa.

(43) “How is this person carrying on? You do very wrong to eat up many people!” he said.

(44) êkwa pasikôw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(44) Then that young woman rose to her feet.

(45) "namôya mâka misawâc ka-kî-sâkôcihin!" itwêw êsa.

(45) “Nevertheless, You will not be able to overcome me!” she said.

(46) sêmâk ê-ati-têpwêt, ômisi itêw awa wîtimwa: "nîtim, kiyâm kiya pakama!" "osâm nimacêyimâw!" itwêw êsa.

(46) At once he called out and said to his sister-in-law, “Sister-in-Law, please, do you strike her down! I think her of too little account!” he said.

(47) tâpwê awa iskwêw pakamahwêw êsa ôhi wîhtikôwa. êkosi nipahêwak.

(47) Accordingly the woman struck down that Windigo. So they killed her.

(48) êkwa ômisi itêw: "nîtim, kwayask âcimôhkan ê-isi-nipahâyâhk."

(48) Then he told her, “Sister-in-Law, do you then tell aright the tale of how we killed her.”

(49) êkosi êkwa awa oskinîkiw kâ-kihtimit, êkosi êkwa miyâci-atoskêt. ê-kî-nipahât, mâci-nikohtêw. mayaw kîkisêpâ kîsi-piminawasôw. mâmaskâtam awa iskwêw, êkwa ê-mâc-âtoskêyit; okihtimiyih! êkwa mîna êkosi mîna mâcîw awa. nama wîhkâc êkwa apiw.

(49) And after that this youth, who had been so lazy, began to work. When he had killed that person, he began to gather fire-wood. Early in the morning he had his cooking done. The woman wondered at his now beginning to work; he had been so lazy! And then, too, he began to hunt. Now he never sat at home.

(50) "kiyâm niya nika-onâpêmin!" itêyihtam êsa awa iskwêw.

(50) “Let me be the one to have him for my husband!” thought that woman.

(51) akâwâtêw wîtimwa.

(51) She fell in love with her brother-in-law.

(52) "matwân cî nika-pakwâtik?" itêyihtam êsa.

(52) “Can it be that he will reject me?” she thought.

(53) kîtahtawê ê-apiyit, "nîtim, kitimâkêyimin." "kiyâm niya wîkimin; êkâ wiya pîtos awiyak wîkim," itwêw êsa awa iskwêw.

(53) Then, at one time, when he was at home, “Brother-in-Law, take pity on me. Do marry me; do not marry anyone else,” said that woman.

(54) "tâpwê, nîtim, âta êsa kwayask kititwâh." "namôya cêskwa ta-kî-wîwiyân," itêw êsa wîtimwa; "kîspin wîwiyâni, wîpac nika-nipin," itwêw êsa awa nâpêw kaspwân.

(54) “Truly, Sister-in-Law, you have spoken like a good woman. But I cannot yet a while take a wife,” he told his sister-in-law, “If I take a wife, I shall soon die,” said that man, Gaspard.

(55) êkwa âsay mîna kîhtwâm kakwêcimêw wîtimwa.

(55) Then again she questioned her brother-in-law.

(56) "tâpwê kikitimahin, nîtim, êkâ wîkimiyin," itwêw êsa awa iskwêw; "'tâpwê êtokê ê-kitimâkêyimât ôhi otawâsimisa?' kititêyimitih!" itêw êsa wîtimwa.⁴

(56) “Truly, you cause me sorrow, Brother-in-Law, by not marrying me,” said that woman; “'I wonder if he really loves the children!' I have been thinking of you!” she said to her brother-in-law.

(57) "êha, nîtim, nikitimâkêyimâwak; êwako ohci kâ-ôh-pamihtâtân," itêw êsa.

(57) “Indeed, Sister-in-Law, I love them; that is why I am supporting them for you,” he told her.

(58) "êha, nîtim, têpiyâhk aciyaw wîkimitâni!" itwêw êsa.

(58) “Oh, Brother-in-Law, if I could be married to you for even a little time!” she said.

(59) tâpwê wîwiw nicawâc wîtimwa.

(59) So he needs took his sister-in-law to wife.

(60) ê-mâci-piciwiht, ati-sêmâk-wîcihiwêwak. kâh-kisiwâhtwâw; mistahi nihtâ-minahôw; mîna ê-nihtâ-wanihikêt, mitoni nanâtohk atâwâkana misiwê nâh-nipahêw. ohtêyimâw. maci-ayîsiyiniwak oyasowâtêwak êsa, ê-wî-kakwê-nipahâcik. îkatêpiciwak êsa.

(60) When the people began to move camp, they went along at once. He was the object of many people's anger; he was very good at killing game; and he was a good trapper, too, and continued to kill many furred things of all kinds. He was envied. Some evil men decided to try to kill him. They moved camp away from the trail.

(61) "osâm mistahi nikitimahikonân kaspwân," nitawi-itwêwak wîkiwâhk.

(61) “Gaspard is making us too poor,” they said in their lodge to which they had gone.

(62) takohtêw awa kaspwân, kahkiyaw êsa kâ-piciwiht, "tânêhki kâ-ôh-picicik?" ê-itwêt.

(62) Gaspard came and saw that all his band had moved camp and asked, “Why have they moved camp?”

(63) wîhtamawâw mistahi ê-kisiwâhât. tâpwê nêwo ôki mistahi ê-manitôwicik kisiwâsiwak.

(63) He was told that he had greatly angered them. And really, four who had great manitou power were angry.

(64) itwêwak, "ohcitaw kika-nipahânaw!" itwêwak; "namôya ka-kî-pwâtawihânaw!" itwêwak maci-ayîsiyiniwak.

(64) They said, “By all means, let us kill him! Not by any chance can we fail of him!” said the evil men.

(65) nêwiwak êsa, mistahi ê-manitôwicik. tâpwê mâci-osîhtâwak êsa, ê-wî-kosâpahtahkik, ê-wî-kakwê-nipahâcik.⁵

tâpwê âta ê-pê-nitomiht, opawâkaniyiwa ê-nitomikot, namôya tâpwêhtam. nêwo-tipiskâw tahto-tipiskâw ê-kosâpahtahkik ôki maci-ayîsiyiniwak, namôya kî-itohtêyiwa.

(65) They were four, who had great manitou power. And so they set about building that which they would use for the medium's work, meaning to try to kill him. Truly, though he was summoned from his home, though their dream spirit summoned him, he gave no heed. For four nights every night those evil men used the medium's tent, but he did not go there.

(66) iskwêyâc êkwa ômisi êsa itêw nôtokêwa pêyak ê-ayâwâcik: "nôhkô, pêsiw kitihkom," itêw êsa; "êkotôwahk nika-ôh-nipahâwak," itwêw êsa.

(66) At the end of this time he spoke thus to a certain old woman whom they had with them: “Grandmother, give me a louse of yours,” he said to her; “With such I shall kill them,” he said.

(67) tâpwê nôtokwêw awa nitonawêw êsa, ê-misikitiyit otihkoma mayaw ê-miskawât. ocihcîhk êsa ahêw awa nâpêw. tâpwê mayaw êkwa ê-pê-nitomikot ôhi pawâtâkana, itohtêw. pîhtokêw kosâpahcikanihk. êkwa tâpwê mawinêhok ôhi.

(67) So the old woman looked for one, and straightway found a large one of her lice. The man set it on his hand. Then, as soon as those dream spirits came and summoned him, he went there. He went into the medium's tent. Then truly they sought fight with him.

(68) ômisi êsa itêw: "kikitimâkisinâwâw kâ-wî-kakwê-nipahiyêk," itwêw êsa; "namôya kikî-nipahinâwâw," itwêw êsa; "mistahi nimanitôwin," itwêw êsa.

(68) Thus he spoke to them: “You are pitiable, you who mean to kill me,” he said; “You cannot kill me,” he said; “I have great manitou power,” he said.

(69) hâw, pakitinêw ihkwa.

(69) There, he set down the louse.

(70) "kita-wî-nipahik awa maci-ayîsiyiniw ôhi ihkwa!" itwêw êsa.

(70) “Let this evil man be killed by this louse!” he said.

(71) tâpwê maci-ayîsiyiniw êsa nipahik ôhi ihkwa. kipwatâmoskâk. misiwê otônihk pîhtokêyiwa; êkosi isi nipahik, ê-kipwatâmoskâkot ihkwa.

(71) Then truly, the evil man was killed by the louse. It stopped up his breath. It went into his mouth and down his throat; and so the louse killed him by stopping his windpipe.

(72) "tânisi êkwa kâ-manitôwit?" itwêwak êsa; "tânisi?"

(72) “Why, what is the matter with the manitou man?” they asked; “What is it?”

(73) "kipatâmoskâk ihkwa!" itwêwak êsa.

(73) “A louse choked him!” they said.

(74) namwâc êsa kî-nahinâw, êkosi ê-isi-wêpiniht, osâm mistahi ihkwak ê-ayâcik.

(74) It was not even possible to bury him, and he was merely left there, for there were too many lice.

(75) âsay mîna kîhtwâm ê-tipiskâk kotak awa maci-ayîsiyiniw, êwako wî-kakwê-nipahêw. âsay mîna êwako sîhkihkêmôw, kosâpahcikan ta-osihtâwiht. tâpwê osîhtâwân kosâpahcikan. mayaw ê-kîsihtâwiht, âsay mîna pê-natomâw. âsay mîna ôhkoma nitotamawêw, kotaka ta-miyikot ihkwa. tâpwê awa nôtokêsiw mîna kotaka nitonawêw otihkoma. âsay mîna êwakoni nitawi-ohci-nipahêw. maci-ayîsiyiniwa kahkiyaw mêscihêw. nêwo-tipiskâw tahto-tipiskâw ê-osîhtâyit êsa kosâpahcikan, kahkiyaw êsa aniki maci-ayîsiyiniwak ihkwa êsa kî-mêsci-nipahikwak, nêwo maci-ayîsiyiniwak. êkwa nitawi-mawimostawêwak ôhi kaspwâna.

(75) When the next night came, the second evil man tried to kill him. This one, too, gave instructions that they build a medium's lodge for him. So a medium's tent was built for him. As soon as they had finished it for him, again he was summoned. Again he asked his grandmother to give him a louse. So the old woman looked for another of her lice. He went and killed this one, too, with it. He killed off all the evil men. Having for four nights every night set up a medium's tent, all those evil men were killed off by lice, four evil men. Then they went to entreat Gaspard.

(76) "kiyâm kitimâkêyiminân! kiyâm êkâya niyanân nipahinân!" itwêw êsa.

(76) “Pray, take pity on us! Pray, do not kill us, too!” the spokesman said.

(77) "tâpwê namôya kiyawâw kâ-kisiwâhiyêk," itwêw êsa kaspwân; "ayâwihkok ôki kâ-wî-miyiyêk," itwêw êsa.

(77) “Really, it is not you who made me angry,” said Gaspard; “Keep those things you mean to give me,” he said.

(78) kîtahtawê mîna kotakak ôki maci-ayîsiyiniwak mastaw êhtakocik. ayisk wiya êkwa okimâwiw awa kaspwân. pê-nitomâw ê-mâmawôpicik ôki ayîsiyiniwak, êkota ohci pê-nitomâw.

(78) Presently, there came into being, later, some more evil men. Now, by this time, this Gaspard was the chief. They sent for him. From where those people were sitting in assembly, he was sent for.

(79) "wîhtikôw kiwî-otihtikonaw," itwêwak ôki nâpêwak.

(79) “A Windigo is coming to where we are,” said those men.

(80) êwako ôma ohci kâ-ôh-mâmawôpicik, êkwa ê-pê-nitomiht awa kaspwân.

(80) That was why they were sitting in council, and why Gaspard was sent for.

(81) "namôya kita-kî-takohtêw anohc wiya kâ-pipohk." "kîhtwâm pôni-ocêhtowi-kîsikâki, êkospîhk ta-takohtêw." "kiyâm kita-pônêyihtamok."

(81) “He cannot arrive this winter. When New Year's Day has passed again, then he will arrive. Let them think no more about it.”

(82) êkosi tâpwê namôya takohtêw wîhtikôw. piyisk êkosi namôya na-nâkatôhkêwak. piyis mîna niyîpihk êkwa ê-ati-takwâkihk, mâci-wawêyîwak omâcîwak.

(82) And really, the Windigo did not come. In time they ceased from their alertness. Then, when summer had passed and autumn was coming on, the hunters began to make ready.

(83) "nika-wîcêwâwak," itwêw êsa kaspwân; "anohc ôma kâ-pipohk, êkwa kâ-wî-takohtêt wîhtikôw," itwêw êsa; "âta wiya namôya nikêhcinâhon ta-kî-nipahak." "nawac piko nikostâw," itwêw êsa kaspwâl.⁶

(83) “I shall go with them,” said Gaspard; “This winter is when the Windigo will come,” he said; “To be sure, I am not certain that I shall be able to kill him. Rather, in fact, I fear him,” said Gaspard.

(84) tâpwê êsa wawêyîw wîsta. pimitisahikêw êsa. kâ-mâci-piciwiht, êkotê ê-ay-ayâcik, tahto-tipiskâw ayîsiyiniwak ôki kostâcîskâkwak wîhtikôwa, tahki êsa ê-mâmawôpicik. mwêhci ê-âpihtâwi-piponiyik, ê-ati-tipiskâyik, wîsâmêw wîwa.

(84) And so he too got ready. He followed the others about. When the band started to move, then off in that place where they were, every night those people were frightened for the coming of the Windigo, and would always sit assembled. Exactly in the middle of winter, one night, as darkness came on, he asked his wife to go with him.

(85) ômisi êsa itêw: "anohc êkwa kâ-wî-tipiskâk wîhtikôw kâ-wî-takosihk." "kîstanaw nitawâpitân," itêw êsa wîwa.⁷

(85) He said to her, “In this very night that is now at hand, is when the Windigo will arrive. Let us too be on the lookout,” he told his wife.

(86) tâpwê wawêyîw awa iskwêw. itohtêwak, wiyawâw mîna ê-nitawâpicik. mayaw ê-pîhtokêcik mistahi miywêyihtamwân.

(86) So the woman dressed up. They went there, that they too might watch. As soon as they entered the tipi, all the people were very glad.

(87) ômisi itêw ôhi nâpêwa: "âhkamêyimok!" "anohc êkwa, kêkâc wâpahki, wîhtikôw wî-takosin," itwêw êsa.

(87) He said to those men, “Do your best! Tonight, just before dawn, the Windigo will arrive,” he said.

(88) sâsay êkwa pêhtamwak ayîsiyiniwak mosis wîhtikôwa ê-matwê-yêhyêyit.

(88) By this time the people heard plainly the loud breathing of the Windigo.

(89) êkwa ômisi itwêw: "acosisa osîhtâk mitoni ê-apisâsiki."

(89) Then he said, “Make some very small arrows.”

(90) ê-kîsihtâwiht, miyâw. tâpwê kêtayôwinisêw; osâwasiskîwastênisôw. êkwa nahapiw. êkota êsa sêmâk kwêskimow, êsa ê-apiscâwâsisiwit. mitoni mâmaskâtamwak êsa ôki nâpêwak êkota kâ-ayâcik, apisc-awâsisa ê-wâpamâcik, ê-kwêskimowit kaspwân. êkosi isi ati-isi-ohpiskâw, ê-nitawi-nakiskawât wîhtikôwa. mistahi êsa kinosiyiwa ôhi wîhtikôwa, kahkiyaw êsa mistikwa ê-ayiwâkiskawâyit, iyikohk ê-kinosiyit. tâpwê nakiskawêw; ê-atimapiyit êsa otihtêw.

(90) When they had been finished for him, he was given them. Then he took off his clothes; he painted himself with ochre. Then he sat down. Then, all at once, he changed his form, turning into a little child. Those men who were there were greatly amazed when they saw the little child into which Gaspard had transformed himself. Thereupon, in that form, he rose into the air, to go and encounter the Windigo. That Windigo was very tall, so tall that he overtopped all the trees. Really, he met him; he came upon him as he sat facing yon way.

(91) "kîkway ôta ê-osîhtâyan?" itêw êsa; "kîkway kiyi-osîhtâyan?"

(91) “What are you doing here?” he asked him; “What is it you mean to do?”

(92) "anohc kâ-tipiskâk kahkiyaw kiwî-kitamotinâwâw!" itik êsa.

(92) “Tonight I mean to devour you all!” the other told him.

(93) mâci-têpwêwak, ê-nôtinitocik, mistikwa mîna êkwa ê-pâh-pahkwacipitâcik, ê-ohci-pâh-pakamahotocik. nipahêw êsa.

(93) They began to whoop, as they fought, tearing up trees with which they beat each other. He killed him.

(94) êkosi mistahi ohtêyihtamwak oskinîkiwak.

(94) Then the young men were very envious.

(95) "tânisi êtokê ka-kî-isi-nipahânaw?" "ômisi kakwê-isi-nipahâtân," itwêwak êsa ôki oskinîkiwak; "'mahti wâh-wîhtamâtotân kêkway kita-isi-kî-ohci-nipahikawiyahk,' kika-itânaw," itwêwak êsa oskinîkiwak.⁸

(95) “How do you suppose we shall be able to kill him? Let us try to kill him in this way,” said those young men; “'Let us tell one another by what means each of us can be killed,' we will say to him,” said the young men.

(96) tâpwê tahto-tipiskâw mâna ê-mâh-mâmawôpicik, tahto ôki kâ-pawâmicik wâh-wîhtamâtôwak. kîtahtawê êsa wîsta kâ-itohtêt.

(96) Accordingly, every night, as they sat assembled in their usual way, they told one another their dreams. Then at one time he too went there.

(97) "namôya konita ta-kî-pîhtokêyan," itik ôhi oskinîkiwa; "tânitowihk kiya êkâ kâ-ôh-kî-nipahikawiyan?" itik êsa.

(97) “You cannot come in without paying the price,” the young men said to him; “To what manner of thing is it due that you cannot be killed?” they asked him.

(98) "nama wîhkâc nika-nipahikawin," itwêw êsa; "pêyak kêkway sîpâ misitihk kêkway kita-ohtinamihk kita-mâhtakoskâkoyân."

(98) “I shall never be killed,” he said; “There is but one thing: if something taken from under one's foot surmounted me.”

(99) mayaw ê-tipiskâyik, nitawi-astâwân sîpâ itôwahk kâ-tahkoskâtamihk mâna asâmihk ohci. êkosi êsa kî-nâspici-nipâw. êkota êsa kî-nipahâw kaspwân, osâm mistahi ê-kî-manitôwakêyimot. tahkohc otakohpihk ê-astâwiht anima, kâ-nipahikot asâmêyâpiy.

(99) As soon as night had come, they went and placed on him the kind of thing that is stepped on underneath, from a snowshoe. Thereupon he never awoke from his sleep. So at this point Gaspard was killed, because he had thought himself too much of a manitou. When that thing was placed on top of his blanket, he was killed by the snowshoe strap.

(100) êkoyikohk ê-mêscihtâyân, ê-kîsihtâyân.

(100) Now I have told it all, now I have finished it.

Footnotes

¹No period in book.

²LB on nayêw: The last word is almost certainly an error; probably read nayômêw: “he carried her on his back”; the sentence is somewhat tangled.

³LB on nicâhkos: he addresses her as “my sister-in-law”, with a word used by woman to woman. He throws off the disguise a few lines below, when he addressed his real sister-in-law as nîtim, a word used only between persons of opposite sex.

⁴LB on otawâsimisah: Literally, “his children”, instead of “his brother's children”; so usually of straight nephews and nieces, rather than the specific terms, nikosim and nicôsim.

⁵LB on ê-wîh-kosâpahtahkik: This is the Ojibwa tcîsâhkân, Menomini tsî?sâhkyan, cf. Skinner, _Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History_, XIII, 192.

⁶LB on kaspwâl: Plainly so pronounced: l exists in neighboring dialects, while r is quite impossible. But I cannot accout for the w in the Cree form.

⁷CHECK ntawâpahtân. HCW: probably best

⁸CHECK kiy-si...