(1) iskwêwak êwako: mitâtaht iskwêwak, piyêsiwak, iskwêwak, êkwa ôhtâwiyiwâwa mîna okâwiyiwâwa ôki iskwêwak, ê-okimâwiyit ôhtâwiyiwâwa.

(1) This is about some women: ten women, Thunderer-Woman, and their father and mother; and their father was a chief.

(2) êkwa ôta, askîhk ôta, êkota oskinîkiwak mîna mitâtaht, mîna êyakonik owîtisânihtocik, mâka nama awiya okâwiyiwâwa; ôhtâwiyiwâwa mîna nama awiya. êkosi pêyak piko mîkiwâhp; nama awiya kotaka ayîsiyiniwa ayâyiwa kisiwâk.

(2) And here on earth were also ten youths, who, in the same way, were brothers, but these had no mother; and they had no father. So they had only one tent; no other people dwelt near there.

(3) êkwa ôki ispimihk iskwêwak, itê kâ-ayâcik, misâw ôtênaw êwako. êwakonik ôki iskwêwak, pêyak omisimâw macihkihkwêwis isiyîhkâsôw. êkosi awa osîmimâw, awa oskinîkiskwêw miyosiw.

(3) And up above, where those women dwelt, that was a large town. Among those women, the oldest of the sisters was called Silly Maiden. And the youngest was a pretty maid.

(4) êkosi êkwa kotakak ôki oskinîkiwak mitâtaht kâ-ihtasicik, êwako ostêsimâw macihkiwis; kêyâpic awa osîmimâw, awa oskinîkiw miyosiw. êkosi oskinîkiwak ôki namôya kiskêyimêwak iskwêwa nânitaw kita-ayâyit, mîna kotaka ayîsiyiniwa. pêyakwanohk ê-ayâcik ôki oskinîkiwak, pisisik mâcîwak kahkiyaw ôki oskinîkiwak. kîtahtawê ôma ê-mâcîcik mâna, êkâ awiya ê-apiyit, awa oskinîkiw osîmimâw êwako mâna nîkân takosin. êkosi kahkiyaw nâh-nâway takosinwak.

(4) And likewise, among those others, those ten young men, the oldest was Matchihkiwis; and, again, the youngest brother was a handsome youth. Now, those young men did not know that there were anywhere any women, or any other people at all. Those youths stayed always in that one place, and all of them did nothing but hunt. Then, as time went on, and they hunted, and none of them stayed at home, then that youngest brother was always the first to get home. After him they would all come, one after the other.

(5) kîtahtawê ê-takohtêt awa oskinîkiw, kâ-wâpahtahk mistahi ê-astêyiki mihta. tâpiskôc awiya ê-kî-takohtêyit, itêyihtam, ê-takohtêt. mistahi miywêyihtam, "mâskôc awiyak pîhcâyihk tita-apiw," ê-itêyihtahk.

(5) Once upon a time, when that youth came home, he saw a great amount of firewood lying there. Exactly as if someone had come there it seemed to him, as he approached. He was very glad, thinking, “Perhaps there will be someone within.”

(6) ê-pîhtokêt, nama awiya wâpamêw. êkosi wayawîw, ta-papâmohtêt, ka-wâpahtahk ita êsa ê-kî-pimohtêyit iskwêwa. êkwa mitihtêw itê ê-kî-nikohtêyit; nama awiya wâpamêw. kâwi kîwêw; pîhtokêw, êkwa ê-kotawêt, ê-wî-paminawasot. ê-kîsi-kotawêt, ohtapiwinihk ê-apit, kîtahtawê kêkway kâ-kiskêyihtahk itâmihk ê-astêyiki otanâskânihk. êkosi ê-pâskinahk, kâ-wâpahtahk maskisina. otinam, ê-wâ-wâpahtahk; mistahi miywâsiniyiwa. miywêyihtam; nahastâw.

(6) When he went inside, he saw no one. So he went out and walked round the place, and there he saw that a woman must have gone by. Then he followed her tracks to where she had gathered wood; he saw no one. He went back again; he went indoors and built his fire, to cook the meal. When he had made his fire and was sitting on his couch, soon he knew that there were some things under his mat. When he uncovered them, he behold some moccasins. He took them and looked at them; they were very pretty. He was glad; he put them carefully away.

(7) ômisi itwêw: "iskwêw êcika ani kâ-kî-takohtêt!" itêyihtam; "namôya ta-wâpahtamwak nistêsak," itêyihtam.

(7) He said, “And so a woman has come here!” he thought; “My brothers had better not see them,” he thought.

(8) ê-koci-postiskahk, pôti miyoskam. êkosi êkwa kotaka ostêsa kâ-ta-takohtêyit, piyisk kahkiyaw takohtêyiwa ostêsa; mâka namôya wî-wîhtamawêw.

(8) When he tried them on, why, they fitted him well. And then his brothers began to arrive, one after the other, until all of them had come; but he did not care to tell them about it.

(9) êkosi mîna ê-kî-nipâcik, ê-wâpahk, kîkisêpâ sipwêhtêw awa oskinîkiw, ê-mâcît. kotakak mîna âsk-âskaw sipwêhtêwak, namôya mâna ê-wîcêhtocik ôki oskinîkiwak kâ-mâcîcik, kahkiyaw ê-pâ-pêyakocik, miyâcîtwâwi.

(9) Then, when they had slept, on the next day, early in the morning that youth went out to hunt. The others, too, one after the other at intervals, set out, for those young men did not keep each other company when they hunted, but did their hunting each by himself.

(10) êkosi êkwa awa oskinîkiw, "mâskôc ê-wî-wîkimit awa iskwêw kâ-kî-takosihk," itêyihtam.

(10) Then that youth thought, “Perhaps it is because she wants to marry me that this woman has come here.”

(11) itê ê-nipahât mostoswa, êkwa otêyaniy, êkwa ita ê-miywâsiniyik wiyâs, êkwa pêyak opêminak, êwako otinam, êkwa omâw, ê-kîwêt.

(11) Where he killed a buffalo, he took the tongue, and the best parts of the flesh, and one thigh-bone, and the smallest stomach, and went home.

(12) "mâskôc takohtêci ana iskwêw, ta-mîciw ôma omâw;" "mîna ta-pâstaham ôma opêminak, ta-mîcit," ê-itêyihtahk, kîwêw.

(12) “Perhaps, if that woman comes, she will eat this stomach; and she will split this thigh-bone and eat it,” he thought as he went home.

(13) êkwa kisiskâhtêw, ê-wî-kakwê-kêsiskawât oskinîkiskwêwa, ê-itêyihtahk. pôti ê-otâkosiniyik, ê-takohtêt, âsay mîna mihta wâpahtam mihcêt ê-astêyiki. wâpahtam ê-pikihtêyik wîkiwâw.

(13) He walked fast, thinking to come upon the young woman while she was there. Then, towards evening, when he arrived, again he saw a great amount of firewood lying there. He saw smoke rusing from their tipi.

(14) "mâskôc apiw," itêyihtam.

(14) “Perhaps she is there,” he thought.

(15) ê-pîhtokêt, nama awiya wâpamêw, êsa kâ-wêpâhtakahikêyit.¹

miywêyihtam. êkwa pônam, ê-wî-paminawasot. êkwa ê-apit, ê-paminawasot, âsay mîna kêkway itêyihtam ita kâ-kî-astêyiki maskisina. ê-otinahk, mîna êwakoni maskisina. âsay mîna miywêyihtam, ê-wâ-wâpahtahk. mistahi miywâsiniyiwa, ê-pîmikitêyiki. êkosi astâw, "namôya ta-wâpahtamwak nistêsak," ê-itêyihtahk. êkwa ôki oskinîkiwak ê-tâh-takohtêcik, wâpahtamwak mihta mihcêt. miywêyihtamwak, "tâpwê kiyipa mistahi nikohtêw," ê-itêyimâcik osîmiwâwa.

(15) When he entered, he saw no one, but it was plain that someone had swept. He was glad. Then he fed his fire, to cook their meal. Then, as he sat there while cooking, it seemed to him that again there was something where the moccasins had been. When he took it out, this too was a pair of moccasins. Again he was glad, as he looked at them. They were very pretty, embroidered with quill-work. He put them away, thinking “My brothers had better not see them.” Then, when those young men arrived, one after the other, they saw a great amount of firewood. They were glad to think of their younger brother, “Truly, in a short time he gathers a great deal of wood.”

(16) awa ostêsimâw, êwako macihkiwis, ômisi itwêw: "tâpwê nimiywêyihtên mihta mistahi ê-astêki," itwêw.²

(16) The oldest one, Matchihkiwis, said, “Truly I am glad that there is so much firewood.”

(17) "êha," itwêwak oskinîkiwak.

(17) “Yes, indeed,” said the young man.

(18) êkosi namôya wî-wîhtam awa oskinîkiw. êkosi êkwa tipiskâyiw mîna. ê-kî-mîcisocik, ê-ay-apicik, konita ê-âh-âcimocik, piyisk kawisimowak.

(18) Then that youth did not care to tell what had happened. Then it grew dark again. When they had eaten, and had sat a while, telling all kinds of stories, they went to bed.

(19) "hâw, kiyipa nika-waniskân," itêyihtam awa oskinîkiw; "nika-sipwêhtân kiyipa," ê-itêyihtahk.

(19) “Now then, I shall get up early,” thought the youth; “I shall set out early,” was his thought.

(20) tâpwê kiyipa waniskâw, ê-wî-mâcît. tâpwê ê-kî-mîcisot, wawêyîw, ê-mâcît. mitoni miywêyihtam.

(20) So he got up early, to go hunting. When he had eaten, he made ready to go hunting. He was very happy.

(21) "mâskôc ê-wî-wîkimit awa iskwêw kâ-takosihk," itêyihtam.

(21) “Perhaps it is because she wants to marry me that this woman has come here,” he thought.

(22) êkosi itê ê-nipahât mostoswa, êkwa otinam ita ê-miywâsiniyik wiyâs. êkwa ê-kîwêt, pâh-pimipahtâw, "mâskôc nika-wâpamâw," ê-itêyihtahk. cîki ê-ihtât wîkiwâhk, kâ-wâpahtahk mistahi ê-pikihtêyik wîkiwâw. ê-takohtêt, mistahi wâpahtam mihta ê-astêyik. ê-pîhtokêt, nama awiya wâpamêw, êsa mitoni kâ-wêpâhtakahikêyit, mîna otanâskâniwâwa êsa ê-pahpawahamiyit; mîna êsa kâ-paminawasoyit astêyiwa. sôskwâc mîcisôw. âsay mîna kâ-wâpahtahk kêkway ê-astêyiki. ê-otinahk, âsay mîna maskisina.³

mitoni miywêyihtam.

(22) So then, where he killed a buffalo, he took the best parts of the meat. When he went home, he kept running, for he thought, “Perhaps I shall see her.” When he had got close to their tipi, he saw that much smoke was rising from it. When he arrived, he saw that much firewood lay there. When he entered, he saw no one, though it was plain that someone had swept the place clean, and had brushed out their mats; and there was a meal which she must have cooked. He ate right away. When again he saw somethings lying there, and took them up, again it was moccasins. He was very glad.

(23) "hâw, namôya nika-wîhtamawâwak nistêsak," itêyihtam.

(23) “Now, I shall not tell my brothers about it,” he thought.

(24) pôti ê-otâkosihk, kâ-tâh-takohtêyit ostêsa.

(24) Toward evening his brothers arrived, one after the other.

(25) êkwa ômisi itwêw awa ostêsimâw: "tâpwê kikiyipîn, mihta ê-otinaman," itêw osîma.

(25) Then the oldest brother said, “Really, you are very quick about getting faggots,” he said to his brother.

(26) "êha, ayisk kiyipa nikî-takosinin," itêw.

(26) “Yes, for, you see, I got home early,” he told him.

(27) êkosi kotakak mîna ôki ê-kî-mîcisocik, êkosi ati-tipiskâyiw. êkwa ay-apiwak, ê-âcimocik, ôma kâ-kî-mâcîcik êwako ê-âcimocik, ê-pâ-pâhpicik.

(27) Then, by the time the others had eaten their meal, it was getting dark. Then they sat there a while, telling stories, telling about the hunting they had done, and laughing.

(28) "êkosi mîna wîpac nika-sipwêhtân," itêyihtam awa oskinîkiw.

(28) “This time, too, I shall set out early,” he told him.

(29) kiyipa kawisimôw. êkosi kahkiyaw kawisimôwak, ê-nipâcik. pôti kiyipa waniskâw awa oskinîkiw, ê-paminawasot. êkosi kahkiyaw waniskâwak, êkwa ê-mîcisocik. mayaw ê-kîsi-mîcisocik, wawêyîw, ê-mâcît awa oskinîkiw. ê-kî-sipwêhtêt, êkoyikohk kahkiyaw sipwêhtêwak, ê-mâcîcik. itê ê-minahot awa osîmimâw, mistahi wiyâs kîwêhtatâw, kiyipa ê-wî-kakwê-takohtêt wîkiwâhk. tâpwê cîki ê-ihtât, wâpahtam mistahi ê-pikihtêyik wîkiwâw; êkwa tâpwê mistahi wâpahtam mihta. ê-ati-takohtêt wîkiwâhk, kâ-matwê-kitowêhtâyit pîhcâyihk awiya.

(29) Quickly he went to bed. Then they all went to bed and slept. That youth got up early, and cooked his food. Then they all arose and ate. As soon as they had eaten, that youth made ready to go hunting. When he had departed, then they all went out to hunt. From where he killed his game, the youngest brother took home a great deal of meat, and he meant to try to get home quickly. And truly, when he got near, he saw much smoke rising from their tipi; and truly, he saw much firewood. When he went on and approached the tent, there was someone noisily carrying on within.

(30) ê-pîhtokêt, ê-nanâtawâpit, kâ-wâpamât iskwêwa. pôti mitoni miywâsiniyiwa otanâskâniyiwa ê-pêtâyit. miywêyihtam ê-nahapîstawât.

(30) When he entered, as he looked about, there he saw a woman. Lo, very beautiful were her mats which she had brought. He was happy to go and sit by her.

(31) sêmâk omaskisina kâh-kêtikonamiyiwa, kotaka ê-postaskisinahikot, ê-itikot, "tâpwê mitoni yâhki kikaskêyihtên, ê-wî-wâpamiyan, ê-kiskêyihtaman ôta ê-kî-nakatamân ta-kikaskisinêyan," ê-itikot.

(31) At once she took off his moccasins and put others on his feet, and said to him, “Truly, you were very sad, of late, with longing to see me, when you knew that I had left those moccasins here for you to wear.”

(32) "êha," itwêw awa oskinîkiw; ômisi itwêw: "ayisk namôya kiyipa kitakohtân, kayâs ê-takohtêyan ta-kî-kisâtaman sêmâk," itêw; "konita kikî-kâh-kîwân," itêw.

(32) “Yes,” said the youth; “For indeed, not promptly have you come, seeing that you might have stayed at once, when long ago you arrived,” he told her; “Needlessly you have been going back and forth,” he told her.

(33) "ayisk, 'pita nitawi-âh-atoskê,' ê-isit nôhtâwiy," êkosi itwêw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(33) “It was because my father told me, ‘First go there several times to work’,” said that young woman.

(34) êkosi êkwa mîcisôwak. ê-kîsi-mîcisocik, kâ-takohtêcik ôki kotakak oskinîkiwak, piyîhtokêtwâwi, wiyâpamâtwâwi ôhi oskinîkiskwêwa. mistahi miywêyihtamwak. nanâskomôwak ê-owîtimocik. awa ostêsimâw macihkiwis nâway takosin. ê-pîhtokêt, ê-wâpamât ôhi iskwêwa, mistahi nanâskomôw.

(34) Then they ate their meal. When they had eaten, then, when those other young men arrived, as they entered and saw that young woman, they were very glad. They gave thanks that they had a sister-in-law. That oldest brother, Matchihkiwis, came last. When he entered and saw the woman, he was delighted.

(35) "hay hay!" itwêw; "êkwa, êkâ êkwa kê-kaskikwâtisoyahk!" itwêw.

(35) “Splendid!” he said; “So now we won't have to sew for ourselves!” he said.

(36) êkosi miywêyihtamwak. êkotê tahto-kîsikâw mâcîwak.

(36) So they were happy. Then every day they went hunting.

(37) ômisi itwêw awa iskwêw: "hâw, nîtimotik, kâ-nipahâyêkok mostoswak, mistahi pêtâk wiyâs." "mîna askêkinwa êkâ wiya wêpinamok; êkwa nama kêkway kika-omaskisininâwâw," itêw awa iskwêw.

(37) Thus spoke that woman; “Now, my brothers-in-law, when you kill buffalo, bring home much meat. And do not throw away the hides; otherwise you will have nothing for moccasins,” she told them.

(38) "ahaq," itwêwak ôki oskinîkiwak.

(38) “Very well,” said the young men.

(39) miyâcîtwâwi, âh-iyawis pêsiwêwak, ôma wiyâs. miywêyihtam awa oskinîkiskwêw ê-atoskêt, pahkêkinwa ê-osîhtât, mîna kâhkêwakwa ê-nîmâwinihkêt, piyisk kahkiyaw ôhi nâpêwa omaskisiniyiwa ê-osihtât, piyis mîna otayiwinisiyiwa ê-osihtât pahkêkinwa ohci, mâka mîkisa ê-kikamohât otâsiyihk mîna oskotâkayihk. mistahi miywêyihtamwak ôki oskinîkiwak, iyikohk ê-pamihikocik wîtimowâwa. mistahi kitimâkêyimêwak ôhi iskwêwa. mistahi atoskêw awa iskwêw.

(39) When they hunted, they always brought the animals entire, for meat. The young woman was happy at her work, preparing leather, and making stores of dried meat, and in time making moccasins for all those men, and clothes out of the hides, and, what was more, putting beadwork on their leggings and their coats. Those young men were very glad to have their sister-in-law take such good care of them. They were very fond of the woman. She worked very hard.

(39b) êkwa kinwêsk ê-ayât awa iskwêw, kîtahtawê awa macihkiwis akâwâtêw ôhi oskinîkiskwêwa. kiskêyihtam awa oskinîkiskwêw ê-itêyihtamiyit ôhi wîtimwa. piyis kinwêsk ayâw êkota.

(39b) [no translation] [no translation] Time passed; she had been there a long while.

(40) êkwa kahkiyaw ê-mâcîcik, macihkiwis awa kâ-têtipêwêt ita mâna ê-nikohtêyit wîtimwa, ômisi ê-itêyihtahk: "nika-owîcimosin nîtim," ê-itêyihtah, êkota ê-kâsôhtawât.

(40) Then, when all were hunting, Matchihkiwis went circling about the place where his sister-in-law was wont to gather firewood, and this was his thought: [no translation] he thought, as he hid from her there.

(41) êkwa awa awa iskwêw ê-nitawi-nikohtêt, kâ-wâpamât wîtimwa ê-pê-otihtikot.

(41) Then, when that woman went to gather faggots, there she saw her husband's brother coming toward her.

(41b) "hâw, nîtim, miywêyimin!" itwêw macihkiwis.

(41b) [no translation]

(41c) "kimiywêyimitin," itwêw awa iskwêw; "mâka kâ-itêyihtaman wiya êwako nisâkwêyimon; osâm nisâkihâw kisîm," itêw.

(41c) [no translation] [no translation]

(31d) ômisi itwêw awa awa macihkiwis: "hê, nîtim, pêyakwâw piko ka-wîcêtin." "itâp namôya ka-wîhtamawâw nisîm," itêw.

(31d) [no translation] [no translation]

(41e) "nisâkwêyimon, nîtim," itik ôhi iskwêwa.

(41e) [no translation]

(41f) êkosi nawatinêw, ê-mâsihât, ê-wî-kakwê-kawipitât. namôya sâkohêw ôhi iskwêwa. piyisk pimwêw oskâtiyihk, "nika-sâkohâw," ê-itêyihtahk. mâka namôya sâkohêw. piyisk êkosi isi pônihêw, ê-sipwêhtêt, ê-mâcît.

(41f) [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] [no translation]

(41g) êkosi awa iskwêw êkota ohci sipwêhtêw, ê-kîwêt, ê-nêpêwisit, wîtimwa ôma ê-tôtâkot. âta namôya ê-sâkohikot, mâka nêpêwisiw; êkâ ohci kâ-ôh-sipwêhtêt.

(41g) [no translation] [no translation] that was why she went away.

(41h) êkwa ôki oskinîkiwak, ê-takohtêt awa wiyîwit, pôti âstawîyiw wîkiwâw. namôya wâpamêw owîkimâkana.

(41h) Then, as for those young men, when he came home whose wife she was, lo, their tent was without a fire. He did not see his wife.

(41i) "tânêhki êtokê êkâ kâ-ôh-apit!" itêyihtam.

(41i) “I wonder why she is not here?” he thought.

(42) ê-nitonawât, namôya miskawêw. piyisk itohtêw itê mâna kâ-nikohtêyit. wâpahtam êsa nâpêwa ê-kî-takohtêyit, êsa ê-mâsihitoyit, kâ-wâpahtahk ostêsa wîpisisiyiw ê-astêyik ê-mihkôwiyik, kâ-wâpahtahk ita êsa ê-ati-pimohtêyit owîkimâkana, ê-sipwêhtêyit. mihko ê-ati-ay-astêyik, ma-mitihtêw. piyisk nôhtaw tipiskâyiw. êkosi isi kîwêw, ê-takohtêt wîkiwâhk. êkwa kotawêw, ê-ay-apit. mistahi mihtâtêw owîkimâkana, ê-nakatikot. piyisk takohtêwak kahkiyaw oskinîkiwak; namôya takohtêw awa macihkiwis. oskinîkiwak namôya wâpamêwak ôhi wîtimowâwa.

(42) When he looked for her, he could not find her. At last he went to where she used to gather faggots. [no translation] and then he saw his brother's arrow lying there, covered with blood, and he saw where his wife had walked, as she went away. He followed her trail where the blood at intervals was on the ground. At last it grew dark before he had done. So he went back and came to their dwelling. Then he built a fire and stayed there. He grieved much for his wife, who had left him. Finally all the young men arrived; only Matchihkiwis did not arrive. The young men did not see their brother's wife.

(43) ômisi itêw: "nisîm, tâniwâ nîtim?" itwêwak.

(43) One said to him, “Brother, where is my sister-in-law?” Thus they asked.

(44) "namôya nikiskêyimâw," itwêw awa oskinîkiw; "kayâhtê ê-takohtêyân, namôya apiw;" "êkwa ê-nitonawak, namôya nimiskawâw." "êkwa itê kâ-nikohtêt mâna nititohtân;" "pôti niwâpahtên êsa êkota ê-kî-takohtêt kistêsinaw, êsa kâ-mâsihât wîtimwa." "piyisk niwâpahtên kistêsinaw wîpisis ê-astêyik." "ma-mihkôwiw." "êkosi êsa kâ-sipwêhtêt kîtimowâw." "nikî-mitihtâw;" "mihko ati-âh-astêw, ita ê-pimohtêt, piyisk kâ-pê-kîwêyân," itwêw awa oskinîkiw.⁴

(44) “I do not know,” said that youth; “to my surprise, when I came home, she was not here; and when I sought her, I did not find her. Then I went to where she is in the habit of gathering wood; there I saw that our oldest brother had come [no translation] At last I saw an arrow of our brother's lying there. It was covered with blood. Then, it appeared, your sister-in-law had gone away. I trailed her; there was blood every little ways, where she had walked, but at last I came home,” said that youth.

(45) "hêhêhêy!" itwêwak ôki oskinîkiwak; "mâka mîna êcika ani êkâ katawa tiyôtahk kistêsinaw!" itwêwak.

(45) “Heavens and earth!” said those young men; “And so again our eldest brother has been guilty of unseemly conduct!” they said.

(46) mihtâtamwak ê-sipwêhtêyit ôhi iskwêwa. êkwa apiwak; namôya wî-mîcisôwak, ê-sipwêhtêyit ôhi iskwêwa. mistahi ê-tipiskâyik, êkoyikohk kâ-takohtêt awa macihkiwis. ê-pîhtokêt, wâpamêw ê-kâmwâtapiyit kahkiyaw osîma.

(46) They were sorry that that woman had gone away. They sat there; they did not care to eat, because that woman had gone away. When it was entirely dark, then Matchihkiwis arrived. When he came in, he saw that all his brothers were sitting in dejection.

(47) "nisîm, tânêhki êkâ kâ-ôh-apit nîtim?" itwêw.

(47) “Brother, why is my sister-in-law not here?” he asked.

(48) "â, tânêhki êtokê? mâskôc nânitaw ê-itohtêt," itwêw awa oskinîkiw.

(48) “I wonder why. Perhaps she has gone somewhere or other,” said that youth.

(49) "êhêhêy hêhe!" itwêw macihkiwis; wîsta mihtâtam, tâpiskôc êkâ nânitaw ê-kî-tôtahk; ayisk môhcôwiw awa macihkiwis.

(49) “Heavens and earth!” cried Matchihkiwis; he was too sorry, just as though he had had nothing to do with it; for this Matchihkiwis was a crazy sort of person.

(50) piyisk namôya nipâwak, ê-mihtâtâcik ôhi iskwêwa. piyisk wâpaniyiw. wawêyîw awa oskinîkiw.

(50) When the time came, they did not sleep, what with their grief for that woman. At last day broke. That youth made himself ready.

(51) "âh hâw, nistêsitik, niwî-nitonawâw kîtimowâw," itwêw.

(51) “So now, brothers, I am going to look for your sister-in-law,” he said.

(52) "êha," itwêwak oskinîkiwak.

(52) “Yes,” said the young men.

(53) êkosi êkwa sipwêhtêw awa oskinîkiw, ê-mitihtât owîkimâkana, ê-pimohtêt. êkwa ôki oskinîkiwak pêyakwanohk apiwak; namôya wî-mâcîwak, ê-pakwâtahkik ê-sipwêhtêyit ôhi iskwêwa, ê-mihtâtâcik. êkwa awa oskinîkiw kâ-ma-mitihtât owîkimâkana, piyisk namôya wâpahtam ita ê-pimohtêyit êsa; tâpiskôc ê-ohpihâyit itêyihtam. pôti êkota nîpawiw, ê-nanâtawâpit. tânita ta-kî-itohtêyit owîkimâkana namôya kiskêyihtam. nitawâc otinam omistanipîwayân, ê-pôtâtahk.

(53) So then that youth set out to track his wife, and walked on. And the other young men stayed where they were; they did not care to hunt, for they were grieved that that woman had gone away and were sad at her absence. But that youth who was tracking his wife, at last came to a point where he could not see the signs of where she had walked; it seemed to him just as if she had risen from the ground and taken wing. He stood there and looked about him. He did not know where his wife had gone. Knowing no other way, he took a hair of fur and blew upon it.

(54) "hâw, tânitê niwîkimâkan ê-itohtêt, êkotê nika-itâsin!" "nika-omistanipîwayâniwin!" itwêw.

(54) “Now, whithersoever my wife is bound, thither shall I be wafted! I shall be a hair of fur!” he said.

(55) tâpwê ispimihk itâsiw. kîtahtawê kâ-wâpahtahk ê-asinîwacîwiyik. êkotê tahkohcâyihk kâ-pônâsit. êkosi êkota ê-pasikôt, kâ-wâpahtahk ita êsa ê-kî-pimohtêyit owîkimâkana. êkwa ê-mitihtât, ê-ispatinâyik ê-ati-takohtêyit, ê-sâkêwêt, kâ-wâpahtahk ê-misâyik ôtênaw. wâpamêw ê-mihcêtiyit ayîsiyiniwa. êkota nahapiw. piyisk kinwês êkota apiw, ê-ka-kitâpahtahk ôhi mîkiwâhpa. kîtahtawê kâ-pêcâstamohtêyit iskwêwa. kisiwâk ê-pê-ihtâyit, kâ-nisitawêyimât owîkimâkana. mistahi miywêyihtam ê-pê-takohtêyit.

(55) And truly, he was borne aloft by the wind. Presently he saw where there was a rocky cliff. There, at the summit, he was put down by the breeze. Thereupon, when he rose to his feet, he saw again where his wife had walked. Then, when he trailed her, and came to a rise in the land, as he came round to the other side, there he behld a large town. He saw many people. There he sat down. He sat there for a long time, looking at all the tipis. Presently a woman came walking his way. When she had come nearer, he recognized his wife. He was very happy when she came.

(56) sêmâk ocêmik, "tâpwê nimiywêyihtên ê-takohtêyan," ê-itikot; "ayisk kakêpâtisiw kistês, kâ-ôh-pê-sipwêhtêyân," itik.

(56) At once she kissed him, and, “Truly, I am glad that you have come,” she said to him; “You must know it is because your eldest brother is senseless that I went away and have come here,” she told him.

(57) "tânisi ê-tôtâsk nistês?" itwêw.

(57) “What did my eldest brother do to you?” he asked.

(58) "anima kâ-mâciyêk, ê-nitawi-nikohtêyân, êkota kâ-pê-takohtêt kistês, ômisi ê-isit: 'ê-miywêyimitân,' ê-isit." "'nîsta kimiywêyimitin,' nititâw;" "'mâka kâ-itêyihtaman namôya wiya êwako ta-kî-êkosi-ispayiw,' nititâw." "'pêyakwâw têpiyâhk ka-wîcêtin,' nititik;" "'itâp namôya ta-kiskêyihtam nisîm,' itwêw." "'nisâkwêyimon,' ê-itak, kâ-pê-otihtinit, ê-mâsihit." "mâka namôya nikî-sâkohik." "piyisk êkâ ê-kî-sâkohit, kâ-pimot ôta nipwâmihk." "êkosi aspin ê-sipwêhtêt." "êkosi ê-kî-otinamân anima acosis; êkota aspin nitastân." "'nisâkihâw niwîkimâkan, kâ-nêpêwihit nîtim,' nititêyihtên, nicawâc kâ-pê-kîwêyân," itwêyiwa.

(58) “At that time, when you were hunting, and I was going out to gather wood, to that place came your brother, and said to me, [no translation]. [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] [no translation] Then, off he went. So then I drew out that arrow; I laid it there, as I went away. ‘I love my husband,’ was my thought, ‘but his brother has put me to shame,’ and so I needs came back here,” she said.

(59) "hâw, ê-pê-nâtitân," itik.

(59) “And now, I have come to get you,” she told him.

(60) êkosi êkwa kîwêwak. ê-takohtêcik mîkiwâhpihk, miywêyihtamiyiwa ôhi ayisiyiniwa. pôti pîhtêyask ê-cimatêyik ê-misâyik mîkiwâhp, êkota kâ-takohtêcik, ê-pîhtokêcik, kâ-wâpamât oskinîkiskwêwa ê-mihcêtiyit.

(60) Then they went to her home. When they reached the tipi, those people were glad. It was a large tipi which stood in the centre of all, to which they came, and, when they entered, there he saw a great many young women.

(61) "ê ê iy!" itwêyiwa; "kîtimonaw takosin!" kâ-itwêyit, ê-nahapit.

(61) “Why!” they cried; “Our brother-in-law has come!” they cried, as he took his seat.

(62) êkwa âh-atamiskâk.

(62) Then they all greeted him.

(63) ômisi itwêw awa kisêyiniw: "êhêhêy!" itwêw; "ayisk, ninahâhkisîm, kakêpâtisiw kistês, ôhi kâ-tôtawât wîtimwa, ôh-pê-kakwâtakihtâyan, ê-pê-itohtêyan," itwêw; "hâw, ê-kitimâkisiyêk, êkâ awiyak ê-pamihikoyêk, kâ-kî-itisahwak nitânis, 'nitawi-pamihik ôki oskinîkiwak,' ê-itak, kâ-kî-itohtêt, kâ-kakêpâtisit kistês," itwêw awa kisêyiniw;⁵

"mâka nimiywêyihtên ê-takosiniyan," itwêw.

(63) Thus spoke that old man: “Dear me!” he said; “Surely, your oldest brother is foolish to have treated his sister-in-law in this wise, so that you had to suffer much hardship in coming here,” he said; “See, because you were pitiable, having no one to care for you, was why I sent my daughter there, saying to her, ‘Go take care of those young men,’ and so she went, and then your brother played the fool,” said the old man; “But I am glad you have come to us,” he said.

(63b) êkota ay-ayâw awa oskinîkiw. kêtahtawê mâna sipwêhtêw, ispatinâhk mâna ê-ay-apit, ê-ka-kitâpahtahk mîkiwâhpa. piyis mâna takohtêyiwa owîkimâkana êkotê ispatinâhk. piyis kaskêyihtam, ostêsa êkâ ê-wâpamât, osâm kinwês êkotê ê-ayât.

(63b) There stayed that youth. Then, in time, he would go away and sit on a hilltop and look at all the tipis. After a while his wife would come to him there on the hilltop. At last he grew sad, because he did not see his brothers, having been there so long.

(64) kîtahtawê konita ê-sa-sipwêhtêt, kîtahtawê kâ-wâpahtahk, ita ê-pasahcâyik, ê-sakâyik, êkota kâ-wâpahtahk môhkiciwanipêk, ê-miywâsiniyik asiskiy, tâpiskôc oyaman kâ-isinâkwaniyik. otinam, ê-miywêyihtahk, oskotâkâhk ê-âh-ayîsihtitât, êkwa ostikwânihk, tâpiskôc ê-tômihkwêt ê-itêyihtahk. êkosi isi ê-kîwêt. ê-takohtêt wîkiwâhk, ê-pîhtokêt, ê-kitâpamikot ôhi iskwêwa wîtimwa, sêmâk kâ-pâhpiyit, "manâ!" ê-itikot, "mâmaskâc awa iyikohk wî-mihkôwiw, ê-piyâsi-minahot!" kâ-itikot.

(64) Then at one time, when he went off at random, he came to a wooded ravine and there saw a spring, and some good clay which looked exactly like vermilion. He took some, because he liked it, and placed it here and there on his coat, and on his head, thinking to himself that it was just as though he were painting his face. In that guise he went home. When he reached their dwelling, when he entered, and those women, his wife's sisters, looked at him, “A strange sight, the way he gets himself full of blood, when he has killed all the game he likes!” they said to him.

(65) "hay hay hay!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(65) “Splendid! Splendid!” exclaimed the old man.

(66) ômisi itwêw awa oskinîkiw: "namôya kêkway ninipahâw," itwêw.

(66) The youth said, “I have not killed any kind of creature.”

(67) "nâh, ê-minahoyan, ôma mistahi kâ-mihkôwiyan!" itik wîwa.

(67) “Why, surely it was in killing some game that you got yourself all full of blood like this!” his wife told him.

(68) êkosi otinamiyiwa nipiy, ê-kisîpêkinamiyit ôma oskotâkay mîna ostikwân.

(68) Then she took some water and washed his coat for him and his head.

(69) "mâmaskâc awa iyikohk ê-wî-mihkowit!" itwêyiwa.

(69) “A strange sight, the way he gets himself covered with blood!” she said.

(70) êkosi kâ-ati-wayawît awa kisêyiniw.

(70) Then the old man went out of the tipi.

(71) "hâw, hâw, nitôskinîkîmitik, wawêyîk!" "nikwatisotân!" "ninahâhkisîm nipahêw onîcâniwa ê-wîcêwâyit ocawâsimisiyiwa!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(71) “Come, come, my followers, make yourselves ready! Let us fetch meat from the killing! My son-in-law has killed a dam with her young!” cried the old man.

(72) êkosi wawêyîwak.

(72) At that they made ready.

(73) "hâw, nitânis, ta-kiskinôhtahiwêw ninahâhkisîm," itwêw.

(73) “Come, daughter, let my son-in-law show the way,” he said.

(74) êkosi awa oskinîkiw ômisi itwêw: "namôya kêkway ninipahâw," itâw owîkimâkana.

(74) Then that youth said, “I have not killed any kind of creature,” he told his wife.

(75) "ôma," itik, "tânita ê-ohtinaman, ôma‘ asiskiy’ kâ-itwêyan, êkota kâ-itohtêyan?" itik owîkimâkana; "ayîsiyiniwak cî ôma ê-itêyimiyâhk?" kâ-itikot owîkimâkana.

(75) “But this,” she said to him, “where did you get it, this, which you call ‘clay,’ at the place to which you went?” his wife asked him; “And do you think we are human beings here?” she asked him.

(76) "êha," itwêw awa oskinîkiw.

(76) “Yes,” said that youth.

(77) "namôya," itik owîkimâkana; "kiyawâw ôtê nîhcâyihk kâ-ayâ-yêk ômisi: 'piyêsiwak,' kâ-itwêyêk, niyanân êkotôwa," itik; "awa kâ-nipahat kâ-itikawiyan, 'misi-kinêpik,' kâ-itwêyêk, êkotôwa." "ita ê-ayât ôma asiskiy kâ-pêtâyan, omihko niyanân nititwânân," itik owîkimâkana.

(77) “No,” his wife told him; “When you who dwell there below, say ‘Thunderers,’ even such are we,” she told him; “That creature which they tell you you have slain, when you say ‘Great Serpent,’ such it is. That clay which you have brought from where it is, we call it that creature's blood,” his wife told him.

(78) êkosi êkwa sipwêhtêwak, êkotê ê-itohtahât ôhi ayîsiyiniwa. kahkiyaw wîcêwêw wîtimwa.

(78) So then they set out, that mortal man leading them thither. All his wife's sisters went with him.

(79) ê-takohtêcik êkotê, ômisi itwêyiwa osisa: "hâw, nitân, ninahâhkisîm kanawêyim, êkâ ta-sêkihikot ôhi kâ-wî-otinâyit ominahôwina," itwêyiwa.

(79) When they got there, his father-in-law said, “Now, daughter, take care of my son-in-law, that he be not frightened by those who are about to take up the game he has killed,” said he.

(80) êkosi owîkimâkana otinik, tâpiskôc ê-apisîsisit, êkosi ê-tôtâkot, otihkôkaniyihk êkota ê-ahikot.

(80) Thereupon his wife picked him up; as if he were but a small creature she handled him, and placed him under her arm.

(81) êkoyikohk, "êkwa namôya ayisiyiniwak!" itêyihtam, kahkiyaw ê-papâmihâyit; "êkwa piyêsiwak!" owîkimâkana mîna, ê-misi-kimiwaniyik, mistahi ê-kitoyit piyêsiwa, tâpiskôc kêkway ê-pâskisamiyit, mistahi ê-na-namipayiyik askiy, ê-itêyihtahk. ê-pôni-pêhtâkosiyit, êkwa ê-otinikot owîkimâkana, kâ-wâpamât ê-misikitiyit kinêpikwa êkwa pêyak ê-apisîsisiyit. mâmaskâtam ita ê-ohtinâyit môhkiciwanipêkohk, ê-kî-wâpamât.

(81) At that, “No, they are not mortals!” he thought, as they all began to fly about; “And so they are Thunderers!” as his wife joined them, and there came a great rain, and the Thunderers roared loud, as if they were shooting some object, and the earth trembled much, as it seemed to him. When they had ceased their noise, and his wife took him forth, there he saw a Great Serpent and a small one. It seemed strange to him that they had got those creatures from the spring, when he saw them.

(82) "nitânis, kîwêhta ninahâhkisîm," itwêw awa kisêyiniw; "ka-pakwâtam, kinwêsk kitâpamâci ôhi kinêpikwa," ê-itêyihtahk awa kisêyiniw.

(82) “Daughter, take my son-in-law home,” said the old man; “It will not agree with him to look too long at these serpents,” was the old man's thought.

(83) êkosi kîwêhtahêw owîkimâkana awa iskwêw, aspin ê-wiyanihtâkêyit. êkosi wiyawâw wîkiwâhk takohtêwak. mînisa mîcisôwak owîkimâkana. kîtahtawê kâ-takohtêyit, êkwa ê-pêtâyit wiyâs, itêyihtam.

(83) So that woman took her husband home, as the others began to cut up the kill. So they arrived at their dwelling. He and his wife ate berries. Presently the others arrived, bringing meat, as it seemed to him.

(84) "hâ, nitânis, ispatinâhk nitawi-ay-apik," itwêw awa kisêyiniw, ômisi ê-itêyihtahk"kîsitêpowihki, wî-mîcisowihci, ta-pakwâtam ninahâhkisîm," ê-itêyihtahk; ayisk ôhi misi-kinêpikwa ê-wî-môwâcik, êwako ohci kâ-ôh-itât onahâhkisîma.

(84) “Now, daughter, go you two, and stay on the hilltop,” said the old man, thinking, “When the cooking is being done, and when we eat our meal, it will be painful for my son-in-law,” for they were going to eat that Great Serpent; that was why he said this of his son-in-law.

(85) piyisk kinwêsk êkotê ayâw awa oskinîkiw, piyêsiwa ê-wîcêwât.

(85) For a long time, finally, that youth stayed there, with the Thunderers.

(86) êkwa ômisi itwêw awa kisêyiniw: "nitânis, êkwa kîwêk." "ninahâhkisîm mistahi kitimâkisiyiwa ostêsa, ê-kaskêyihtamiyit, êkâ ê-wâpamikot." "osâm kinwês ôtê ayâw." "kikî-itikonaw kâ-tipêyimikoyahk, êkâ îni-ayîsiyiniwa ta-wîcêwâyahk ôtê ispimihk," itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(86) Then thus spoke that old man: “Daughter, now go home. My son-in-law's brothers are very unhappy with grieving because they cannot see him. He is staying here too long. He told us who is our Master, that we are not to have mortal men for our companions here above,” said the old man.

(87) miywêyihtam awa oskinîkiw.

(87) The youth was glad.

(88) "hâh, wâpahki ka-kîwânânaw."

(88) “There, tomorrow we shall go home.”

(88b) "hahâw, nitawâsimisitik, wawêyîk;" "kiyawâw mîna nitawi-wîkimihkok kîtimowâw ostêsa." "ê-isi-askôwiskotâtoyêk, ka-wîcêwâwâwak," itwêw.

(88b) [no translation] [no translation] [no translation]

(88c) mistahi miywêyihtam ê-wî-nitawi-onâpêmit awa macihkihkwêwis macihkiwisa, konita tahki ê-pâhpit, "pitanê kiyipa wâpahk!" ê-itêyihtahk macihkihkwêwis, ê-nôhtê-onâpêmit. êkosi êkwa ê-tipiskâyik, ê-kî-nipâcik, ê-wâpaniyik, ê-kî-mîcisocik, êkwa sipwêhtêwak. awa macihkihkwêwis mitoni ê-miywâsiniyik oskotâkay, konita ê-sêwêpayiyik, mitoni ê-miyohot. ita ê-asiwatâcik otayiwinisiwâwa omaskisiniwâwa, êkoni tahkonamwak, ê-sipwêhtêcik.⁶

piyis takohtêwak ôma ita kâ-kî-ohci-pimohtêt awa oskinîkiw. namwâc wâpahtam askiy, nîhcâyihk ê-itâpit. êkota nîpawiwak.

(88c) The Silly Maiden was very glad that she was to go take to husband that Matchihkiwis; she kept laughing a foolish laugh, and she thought, that Silly Maiden, “I wish tomorrow would hurry up!” for she was eager to have a husband. So then when night came, when they had slept, in the morning, after they had eaten, they set out. Very fine was Silly Maiden's coat, jingling with bells all over, for she had put on much finery. Those things into which they put their clothes and their moccasins, they carried in their hands, as they set out. In time they came to the place from which that youth had walked. He could not see the earth, when he looked down below. There they stood.

(89) "hâw, niwîkimâkan," itik, "âstam!"

(89) “Now then, my husband,” she said to him, “come here!”

(90) ê-nahikâpawistawât, otinik, tâpiskôc ê-apisîsisit ê-tôtâkot, otihkôkaniyihk êkota ê-ahikot, kâ-pêhtawât ê-kâ-kitoyit piyêsiwa. êyakonik ôki oskinîkiskwêwak, êkwa ê-ohpihâcik, ê-pimipahci-pêhtâkosicik, piyêsiwak. piyisk nîhcâyihk takosinwak. ita kâ-wîkicik oskinîkiwak, cîki êkota ê-twêhocik, kâwi ayîsiyinîwiwak ôki iskwêwak. êkosi êkwa ê-pimohtêcik, mistahi miywêyihtam awa oskinîkiw, "êkwa nistêsak cita-ayâwêwak iskwêwa," ê-itêyihtahk.

(90) When he came and stood close to her, she took him up, handling him as though he were but a small creature, and placed him under her arm, and then he heard the Thunderers' repeated call. It was those young women, who now rose and took wing, and as Thunderers went speeding on with noise. Soon they arrived below. When close to the dwelling place of those young men they landed from their flight, those women again took human form. Then they walked on. That youth was glad to think, “And now my brothers will have wives.”

(91) êkosi ê-pimohtêcik, kêkâc ê-takohtêcik, ômisi itwêw awa oskinîkiw: "ôta pita ayâk; wawêsîk; tômihkwêk." "nika-nitawi-âcimostawâwak nistêsak," ê-itât ôhi iskwêwa; "itâp ka-pê-wîhtamâtinâwâw," itêw.

(91) Then as they walked along, when they had almost come to their destination, that youth said, “Stay here a while; deck yourselves out; paint your faces. I shall go and tell my brothers,” he said to those women; “I shall come back and tell you,” he said to them.

(92) êkosi ê-ati-sipwêhtêt, wawêsîwak ôki iskwêwak. awa macihkihkwêwis mistahi wawêsîw. awa oskinîkiw ê-takohtêt wîkiwâhk, pôti nama awiya itêyihtam. ê-pîhtokêt, kahkiyaw ostêsa kâ-pimisiniyit.

(92) So them, when he had gone on, those women put on their ornaments. That Silly Maiden decked herself out splendidly. When the youth reached their dwelling, at first he thought there was no one there. When he entered, thee were all his brothers lying on their beds.

(93) "waniskâk, nistêsitik; nitakosinin!" itêw.

(93) “Arise, brothers; I have come!” he said to them.

(94) ê-ohpiskwêyit awa macihkiwis, kâ-wâpamât osîma ê-apiyit.

(94) When Matchihkiwis raised his head, there he saw his brother.

(95) "waniskâk, nisîmitik;" "kisîminaw takosin!" itwêw.

(95) “Get up, brothers; our brother has come!” he cried.

(96) tâpwê waniskâwak, ê-wâpamâcik osîmiwâwa. mistahi nanâskomôwak. "mâskôc kî-misi-wanâtisiw," ê-kî-itêyimâcik osîmiwâwa, namôya ohci nânapâcihowak.⁷

(96) They arose, and saw their youngest brother. They were very thankful. Because they thought of their brother, “Likely he has gone to his destruction,” for that reason they took no care of themselves.

(97) "hâ, nistêsitik, kâsîhkwêk;" "kî-kâsîhkwêyêko, nânapâcihohkêk;" "wawêsîhkêk;" "iskwêwak nipêsiwâwak, ôyâ kîtimowâw wîcisanisa." "ôma kâ-ihtasiyahk, êko-tahto ihtasiwak iskwêwak." "ê-isi-ôma-askôwiskotâtoyahk, êkosi kika-isi-nahapîstâkowâwak pîhtokêtwâwi," itwêw.⁸

(97) “Come, brothers, wash your faces; when you have washed your faces, tidy yourselves; put on your good clothes; I am bringing women, the sisters of your sister-in-law who went away. As many as you are, so many are the women. In the order of our ages they will take their seat by your sides, when they enter,” he said.

(98) hâ, mistahi miywêyihtam awa macihkiwis, iskwêwa ê-wî-ayâwât. ê-kîsi-nânapâcihoyit, kâ-wayawît awa oskinîkiw, ê-nitawi-nitomât ôhi iskwêwa.

(98) Oh, very glad was Matchihkiwis that he was to have a woman. When they had groomed themselves, that youth went out to go call the women.

(99) ê-otihtât, "tâpwê nama mayaw kitakohtân," itik owîkimâkana.

(99) When he came to where they were, “Truly, you are late in coming back,” his wife said to him.

(100) "êha, ayisk nistêsak otami-nânapâcihôwak." "aspin kâ-sipwêhtêyân, êkospî ohci pêyakwanohk ê-apicik, namôya nânapâcihowak, 'mâskôc misi-wanâcihôw,' ê-kî-itêyimicik, êkâ mayaw ê-wâpamicik," itêw owîkimâkana; "hâw, nîtim," itêw ôhi omisimâwa, "ôtê iskwâhtêmihk ohtapiw nistês; êwako kiya kâ-wî-wîcêwat." "nâway kiya kika-pîhtokân, kahkiyaw pîhtokêtwâwi ôki kisîmak." "êkâya mayaw pîhtokêhkan." "êkota wayawîtimihk pâh-pimohtêhkan." "ta-kakwê-ihkêyihtam nistês," itwêw awa oskinîkiw.

(100) “Yes, for my brothers had much to do, grooming themselves. Ever since I went away, they have been staying in that one spot and have taken no care of their appearance, because, when they did not see me in time, they thought of me, ‘No doubt he has gone to his destruction,’” he told his wife; “Now then, sister-in-law,” he said to that eldest sister, “There by the door sits my oldest brother; he is the one with whom you will keep company. You will enter last, when all your sisters here have entered. Do not enter promptly. Walk back and forth outside the door. Let us try to make my eldest brother suffer from hope deferred,” said that youth.

(101) "êha," itwêw macihkihkwêwis.

(101) “Very well,” said the Silly Maiden.

(102) "hâw!"

(102) “Come!”

(103) êkwa sipwêhtêwak, tahki ê-pâhpit awa macihkihkwêwis, ê-miywêyihtahk ê-wî-onâpêmit. êkwa ôki oskinîkiwak ê-apicik, macihkiwis awa tahki ê-paspâpit, kîtahtawê kâ-pêtisâpamât, pêyak kâ-wâpamât ê-miyosiyit êkwa ê-miyohoyit. piyisk takohtêyiwa, kâ-pêhtahkik ê-sêwêpayiyit awiya.

(103) Then they set out, Silly Maiden laughing all the while, glad that she was to have a husband. And as those young men sat there, and Matchihkiwis kept peering out through the door, in time he saw them approach, and one he saw who was beautiful and wore the finest clothes. At last they arrived, and they heard how some one of them jingled as she moved.

(104) ê-pîhtokêyit osîmimâwa, ê-nahapiyit, kâ-pê-pîhtokêyit wîtimowâwa.

(104) When their youngest brother entered and took his seat, in came their sister-in-law.

(105) "hay hay hay hay!" itwêwak oskinîkiwak, ê-nisitawêyimâcik wîtimowâwa. êkota êkwa kotaka kâ-pîhtokêyit, awa oskinîkiw cîki-osîmimâw ê-nahapîstâkot. êkota ohci âskaw pîhtokêyiwa, ê-ati-nahapîstâkocik. piyisk kahkiyaw pîhtokêwak. awa piko macihkihkwêwis namôya wî-pîhtokêw. êkwa awa macihkiwis ê-ayiwâkipayit, tahki ê-itâpit iskwâhtêmihk, ê-asawâpamât, ta-pîhtokêyit iskwêwa matwê-âhtohtêyici kâ-sêwêpayiyit. piyisk pîhtokêyiwa. wahwâ, miyohoyiwa! ê-nahapîstâkot macihkiwis, mistahi miywêyihtam. kahkiyaw êkwa ayâwêwak iskwêwa, konita ê-pâ-pîkiskwêcik, ê-âcimocik, ê-pâhpicik.

(105) “Splendid, splendid!” cried the young men, when they recognized their sister-in-law. And then another came in, and she took her seat by the side of the youth who was next to the youngest. After that they came in at short intervals, and each one sat down by a young man. At last they had all come in. Only that Silly Maiden would not come in. And so Matchihkiwis was left as the odd one, and he kept looking at the doorway, looking out for the woman to enter, who could be heard walking up and down with her clothes a-jingling. At last she came in. Hah, she was beautifully clad! When she sat down by Matchihkiwis' side, he was delighted. So now all of them had wives, and they talked and talked and jabbered, and told stories, and laughed.

(106) kîtahtawê ômisi kâ-itwêt macihkiwis: "yâw, nisîmitik, tâni ôma êtapiyêk?" "kinahâhkapihtânaw!" itwêw.

(106) Presently Matchihkiwis said, “Why, brothers, why do you sit here like this? Do not forget we are newly married!” he said.

(107) otinam kaskaskisiw, ê-sikwatahahk, ê-tômihkwêt, êkwa ê-kaskitêwikanakâpit ôta oskîsikohk. otinam opakamâkan, ê-ati-wayawît, ôta kisiwâk ê-piskwahcâyik, êkota ê-pa-pakamahikêt; konita kâ-matwê-ma-mawimoyit wâkayôsa, nipahêw. kîwêhtahêw; pîhtokahêw.

(107) He took some charcoal, ground it up, and painted himself, blackening his face round the eyes. He took his club and went out of the tipi, and where, close by, there was a small knoll in the land, he knocked with his club; then he heard the growling of a bear; he killed it. He took it back to the lodge with him; he brought it inside.

(108) "hâw, êwako ana, niwîkimâkan!" "ômisi êtokê kiwî-ay-itahcikân êtokê, ê-itêyihtaman, kâ-oh-pê-wîkimiyan," itwêw macihkiwis.

(108) “Here, this is for you, my wife! I daresay you were looking forward to this kind of food when you decided to come here and marry me,” said Matchihkiwis.

(109) "hay hay! tâpwê nimiywêyihtên wâkayôs ê-wî-môwak," itwêw macihkihkwêwis.

(109) “Oh, fine! Truly, I am glad that I am to eat bear's meat,” said the Silly Maiden.

(110) êkosi ê-wiyanihtâkêt êkwa ê-pakâsimât wâkayôsa, kahkiyaw êyakonik ê-môwâcik. êkwa ê-kî-mîcisocik, êkoyikohk tipiskâyiw, ê-kî-nipâcik.

(110) So then she cut up the bear and put it in the kettle, and they all ate of it. When they had eaten, it was dark, and so they went to bed.

(111) êkwa tahto-kîsikâw mâcîwak, ê-pêtâcik wiyâs. mistahi ka-kâyawisiwak ôki iskwêwak. mistahi ê-atoskêcik, kiyipa wîkiwâwa kîsihtâwak; kahkiyaw êkwa pâh-pêyakokêwak. ayisk mitâtasiwak iskwêwak; mitâtaht osîhtâwak wîkiwâwa. êkosi aspin ê-wâ-wîkicik.

(111) Then they hunted every day and brought home the meat. Very industrious were those women. They worked hard and soon had made their tipis; so then they lived each in a separate tent. For there were ten women; they made ten tipis. And so they lived there from that time on.

(112) êkoyikohk ê-iskwâk âtayôhkêwin.

(112) This is where the sacred story ends.

Footnotes

¹LB on kâh-wêpâstakahikêyit: Error for kâh-wâpahtakahikêyit, or a different word?

²book has exclamation mark instead of colon

³merged 24.22.7 and 24.22.8

⁴CHECK heaviness of sandhi'd reduplication

⁵CHECK ntawi-pamis

⁶LB after omaskisiniwâwa,: Narrator avoids the word asiwacikan.

⁷ohci here may be negative

⁸Better as ômê (ipc, ‘over here’)?