(1) kîtahtawê ê-misâk ôtênaw ayîsiyiniwak ê-wîkicik, pêyak okimâw otânisa miyosiyiwa. piciwak kahkiyaw. pêyak piko mîkiwâhp cimatêw, ê-nakatiht pêyak kisêyiniw, êkwa owîkimâkana, nôtokêsiwa. êkwa nîso iskwêsisa ayâwêwak. matokahpihk wîkiwak ôki kâ-nakatihcik. ê-wâpaniyik, papâmohtêwak ôki iskwêsisak, ê-otinahkik oskana, ê-pakâhtâcik, ê-môsahkinahkik matokahpihk, ê-mîcimâpôhkêcik, êkosi piko ê-isi-mîcisocik.

(1) Once upon a time in a big town where people dwelt, a certain chief had a beautiful daughter. All moved camp. Only one tipi was left standing, where an old man was abandoned, together with the old woman, his wife. And they had two girls. On the deserted camp-site they dwelt who had been abandoned. In the morning those girls walked about, taking up bones, which they boiled. Picking up things from the deserted camp and making soup of them was the only way they got anything to eat.

(2) êkwa kîtahtawê nâpêsisak, ê-ispatinâyik, nâtakâm ohci matâwisiw nâpêsis pêyak; êkwa pêyak itê ê-pahkisimohk isi kotak mîna êwako nâpêsis, cacêkahkwâna ê-takonahkik, ispatinâhk ê-itohtêcik.¹

ê-âmaciwê-cikahkwêt kotak mîna, kâ-pimakotêyik cikahkwân. wâpahtam awa nistam kâ-âcimak. mîna kîhtwâm cikahkwêw, kotak mîna kâ-pimakotêyik. awa nistam kâ-âcimak nâpêsis âmaciwêw, ocikahkwân ê-nâtahk.

(2) Then at one time some boys, from over a hill, from the north, a boy came into sight, and another one, also a boy, from the west, and they carried throwing-sticks in their hands, and walked to a rise in the land. When one of them, the second one, threw a throwing-stick up the hill, [sic] and it sped through the air, the one of whom first I spoke, saw it. Again he threw a dart, and it, too, flew through the air. The boy of whom I spoke first went up the hill to fetch his dart.

(3) "iyahô! ita êcika awa ê-ayât!" "'wî-nitawi-wîwiw,' kitikawih!" ôma kâ-itât awa pahkisimohk kâ-ohtohtêt.

(3) “Yoho! So here he is! To be sure, ‘He is going off to take a wife,’ was said of you!” said he who had come from the west.

(4) "hââ! namôya! kiya êtokê ôma ê-wî-wîwiyan!" itêw awa nâtakâm kâ-ohtohtêt.

(4) “Oh no! I daresay it is you, really, who mean to take a wife!” said he who came from the north.

(5) êkwa, "kinitawi-wîwih!" itêw.

(5) But, “You were going off to take a wife!” he told him.

(6) êkwa nîhtaciwêwak, matokahpihk ê-itohtêcik. pêyak namôya wâpiskisiw. nâtakâm kâ-ohtohtêt wâpiskisiw; kiyâmêwisiw; namôya mwâsi pîkiskwêw êwako. êkwa awa kotak kîskwêw, ê-osâmitonêt, ê-pîkiskwêskit.

(6) Then they descended the hill and went to the deserted camp-site. One was not white. He who had come from the north was white; he was bashful; this one did not speak much. But the other one was silly and talked too much and was a babbler.

(7) "hâw, êkota ani cimatwâtotân!" itwêw awa kâ-osâmitonêt.

(7) “Now then, right here let us play throwing-stick!” said the talkative one.

(8) ma-mêtawêwak êkota.

(8) They continued to play there.

(9) kîtahtawê ôki awâsisak iskwêsisak kâ-pêhtawâcik nâpêsisa ê-tatwêwitamiyit.

(9) Presently those children, those girls, heard the noise which the lads were making there.

(10) "hêy, nôhtâ, kêhcinâ ê-kî-wêpinihcik ôta awâsisak nîso kâ-cimatwâtocik." "kêhcinâ ê-kî-wêpinihcik êwakonik mîna, kiyânaw mîna kâ-wêpinikawiyahk!"

(10) “Oh, father, surely those two children who are playing with throwing-sticks have been abandoned here. Surely they have been abandoned, just as we have!”

(11) "ahaq, nitawâsimisitik." "êkotê ani akâmiskotêw nahastâsok." "wîci-mêtawêmihkok pêh-pêyak." "êkosi namôya ka-pîkiskâtênâwâw, wîci-mêtawêmâyêkwâwi." "nitawi-nitomihkok," itâwak ôki iskwêsisak.

(11) “Yes, children. So put the lodge in order at the other side of the fire. Go play with them, each of you with one. That will keep you from being lonesome, if you play with them. Go invite them,” those girls were told.

(12) mitoni ê-otâkosiniyik, itohtêwak ôki iskwêsisak. kâ-pîkiskwêskicik êkotôwahk awa awa omisimâw. awa osîmimâw namôya mwâsi pîkiskwêw. nêki mîna nâpêsisak awa oscêsimâs kâ-osâmitonêsit.

(12) Late in the afternoon those girls went there. Of those who are talkative, such was the elder girl. The younger was not given to much speech. Of those boys, too, it was the elder who was a prattler.

(13) êkosi ê-otihtâcik, "nîkinâhk kiwî-pê-itohtânâwâw ta-wîci-ma-mêtawêmitâhk!"

(13) So, when they came to where the others were, “You are to come to our house and play with us!”

(14) "wâpam nâha ka-wî-wîwiyan!" itwêw awa kâ-osâmiconisit; "yâ, kipê-wîwih!" "nitawi-nahâhkapi!" itêw osîma.

(14) “Look at the girl you are going to marry!” said the prattler; “Yah, do not forget you came here to take a wife! Go stay with your wife's people!” he said to his younger brother.

(15) "kiya ôma kâ-wî-wîwiyan, namôya niya," itêw awa kâ-kiyâmêwisit.

(15) “But it is you are planning to take a wife, not I,” the bashful one answered him.

(16) "êha! kititikowâw awa!" itêw awa kâ-osâmitonisit.

(16) “Yes! Now he has told you!” the prattler said to them.

(17) êkosi isi kîwêpahtâwak ôki iskwêsisak. êkota ay-ayâwak. nâh-nipâwak êkota, pâh-pêyak ê-wîhpêmâcik ôhi iskwêsisa.

(17) Then the girls ran back home. They all stayed there. [no translation]

(17b) kîtahtawê awa, iskwâhtêmihk ê-cimatwâtocik, "hâw, pihêwokas!" wîhêw osîma; "awiyak atohoci, kita-nâcipahâw." "kê-wâpahk, ôma kayâsi-pîhtokahân êkota ta-pîhtokêpayiwak mostoswak." "osâm nôhtêhkatêw kimanâcimâkan, mîcimâpoy piko ê-mîcicik," itêw.

(17b) Then at one time, as they played with throwing-sticks by the door, “Now then, Partridge-Claw!” said the one, calling his junior by name; “Whichever is beaten will drive in the buffalo. Tomorrow let us make the buffalo run into this old buffalo-pound here. Our father-in-law is suffering too much from hunger, what with their eating nothing but soup,” he said to him.

(18) "êha," itik.

(18) “Very well,” the other answered him.

(19) cimatwâtôwak. awa pihêwokas kîsiyawâw. pikonita sâkowêw awa kâ-kîskwêt.

(19) They pitched their throwing sticks. Partridge-Claw was beaten. The babbler gaily whooped.

(20) "nikîsiyawâw!" "êkwa wiya kê-nâcipahât!" itêw.

(20) “I have beaten him! Now he will be the one to drive in buffalo!” he said of the other.

(21) êkosi ê-kawisimocik owîkimâkana, "êkâ wiya kita-paspâpiwak kôhtâwiy kikâwiy, kêkway pêhtahkwâwi;" "niwî-nâcipahân." "wîhtamawâhkanik mêyâkwâm." "kîspin êkâ paspâpitwâwi, pôni-pêhtâkwahki iyikohk, ta-wayawîwak kôhtâwiy kikâwiy;" "ka-itohtêwak pîhtokahânihk," itêw owîkimâkana.

(21) Then, when they went to bed, he said to his wife, “Let not your father and your mother peek out from the lodge, when they hear anything; I am going to drive in buffalo. Be sure to tell them. If they do not peek out, then, when the noise ceases, your father and mother are to come out of the lodge; they will go to the pound,” he told his wife.

(22) êkosi kêkâc ê-wâpaniyik, sipwêhtêw awa awâsis kâ-kiyâmêwisit. êkwa wâhyaw ê-ayât, wâpaniyiw, ê-nâcipahât. êkwa mostoso-mêya otinam misahkamik, ê-nâh-nâwayôstât.

(22) Accordingly, just before dawn, the bashful boy went away. When he had gone far, day broke, and he drove buffalo. He took a great amount of buffalo-dung, and laid it in little heaps in a row.

(23) êkwa ômisi itwêw: "êhyêêêy!"

(23) Then he said, “Hey hey heyey!”

(24) ê-itwêt, kâ-pasikôyit mostoswa misahkamik.

(24) When he gave this cry, great numbers of buffalo rose from the ground.

(25) "êhêêê hêy hêy hêy!" êkosi itwêw.²

(25) “Heyeyeyey hey hey hey!” he cried.

(26) êkosi ati-sipwêpayiyiwa. kîwêhtahêw misahkamik.

(26) Thereupon they ran off. He brought a great herd with him.

(27) kîtahtawê ê-kîkisêpâyâyik, nawac kêkâc ê-âpihtâ-kîsikâyik, wâ-wâstahikâniwiw.

(27) Presently, as morning passed and it was nearing noon, the waving of signals began.

(28) kâ-itwêyit ayîsiyiniwa pêhtawêw, "miciminihkok atimwak, êkâ kita-oyoyocik!" itwêw awa kâ-matwê-têpwêt, ispî ê-matwê-askahtâhk.

(28) He heard people calling, “Hold the dogs, lest they bark!” so cried the one who called out directions while the herd was awaited.

(29) êkoyikohk pêhtawêwak ayîsiyiniwa misahkamik, konita atimwa kâ-oyoyot ôta matokahpihk, êkwa ê-sâkôwêwiht, ê-pîhtokêpayiyit mostoswa.

(29) Then he heard a great crowd of men, and dogs baying everywhere in that deserted camp, and loud whooping as though of their fellow-campers, as the buffalo ran into the enclosure.

(30) "hêy, nôhtâ, 'êkây ohci paspâpit!' êkosi kî-itwêw kinahâhkisîm!" itwêw awa iskwêsis.

(30) “Now, father, ‘Let him at no time peek out!’ said your son-in-law!” thus spoke that girl.

(31) êkwa awa kotak nâpêsis kâ-osâmitonit, "nâ! mâcikôtitâk ta-paspâpinâniwiw!" "êsi-mihcêticik ayîsiyiniwak ta-wâpamâwak!" itwêw awa nâpêsis.

(31) And that other boy, the talkative one, “Nonsense! Let them look out at a sight worth seeing! Let them see how many people there are!” said that boy.

(32) êkwa awa iskwêw, mwêhci wâh-paspâpiyici onâpêma, wâh-wâpamâyici ôhi kâ-tatwêwitamiyit, miciminêw onâpêma awa nôtokêsiw. ôki wiya iskwêsisak wâpamêwak ayîsiyiniwa mîna atimwa matokahpihk ê-papâmipahtâyit. êkosi pêyak ê-iskohiht mostos, pikonita sâkôwêwak ayîsiyiniwak. pêhtawêwak ôki kêhtê-ayak.

(32) But that woman, whenever her husband wanted to peep and see the people who were making all the noise, then just in time the old woman would hold back her husband. But the girls could see the people and the dogs running hither and thither about the deserted camp. Then, when only one buffalo was left, the people whooped everywhere. The old people heard them.

(33) "mahti! miyâmay ôma ayîsiyiniwak!" itêyihtam awa awa iskwêw.

(33) “I do wonder! Surely these must be people!” thought she, the woman.

(34) iskwâhtêmihk ohci paspâpiw: konita pîhtokahânihk pikonita kâ-pikihtêyik, mostoso-yêhyêwin ê-pikihtawêtâmoyit mostoswa, ispimihk ê-itakotêyik, konita kâ-ohpwêhâyit nanâtohk pisiskiwa tahto kâ-piponihêwiyit, pîhtokahânihk, ohci kiyikaw mahîhkana, nanâtohk mahîhkana, matokahpihk ê-ohci-îkatêpahtâyit. kîwêw awa nâpêsis. ayis nama kêkway ihtakoniyiw. mahyakosiw, omanâcimâkana ê-mahyakohikot.

(34) She peeped out through the door: from all over the buffalo-pound smoke was rising into the air, the steaming breath of buffalo rising into the atmosphere, and at the same time all kinds of animals, as many as stay through the winter, came forth from the pound, all kind of wolves, every kind of wolf, and ran offside and away from the deserted camp. The boy came home. Thre was simply nothing left. His spell had been broken; his parent-in-law had spoiled his luck.

(35) "êê! pihêwokas ê-nêpêwisit, ê-askôtawiskât ê-âta-nâcipahât!" itêw; "mahti mîna mêtawêtân." "awiyak kîsiyâhci, kita-nâcipahâw," itwêw.

(35) “Yaha, Partridge-Claw is coming empty-handed and ashamed, for all his buffalo driving!” he said to him; “Let us play again. Whichever is beaten, let him fetch buffalo,” he said.

(36) â, tâpwê cimatwâtôwak. kîsiyawâw awa kâ-osâmitonisit. mitoni kîkisêpâ sipwêhtêw. kotak êkwa ôma paskwâw, ita mostoso-mêya kâ-kî-ohtinahk awa kotak nâpêsis, êkota ohtinam mostoso-mêya, ê-na-nâwayôstât. êwako mîna pêyakwaniyiw ê-tôtahk. "êhyêêêw!" ê-itwêt, pôti mostoswa pasikôyiwa misahkamik.

(36) Accordingly, they played throwing-stick. The prattler was beaten. Very early in the morning he set out. Then on that other stretch of prairie, there where the other boy had taken buffalo-dung, from there he now took buffalo-dung, laying it in a row. This one did the same as the other had done. “Heyeyey!” he cried, and there, a great herd of buffalo rose to their feet.

(37) êkwa awa iskwêsis, "nôhtâ, nêkâ, pêyakwâw piko kâ-kitahamâkoyêk kinahâhkisîm êkâ ta-paspâpiyêk." "pêhtâkwahki pîhtokahânihk, micimin, nôhtâ, nikâwiy." "êwako ana êsa ka-kî-mahyakohât onahâhkisîma." "mitoni pôni-pêhtâkwahki, êkoyikohk takosihki ôyâ kinahâhkisîm, kika-nâtênâwâw wiyâsa." "êkâya nôhtaw kakwê-wâpahtamok." "iyikohk takosihki kinahâhkisîmiwâw, êkoyikohk kika-itohtânâwâw pîhtokahânihk," itêw ôhtâwiya mîna okâwiya.

(37) Then that girl, “Father, mother, once and for all time your son-in-law has forbidden you to peer out. When that noise begins at the corral, do you, father hold back my mother. Plainly it was she who spoiled things for her son-in-law. When the sound has entirely died away, then, after your son-in-law who has now gone away returns, then you will fetch the meat. Do not try to see things before that time. Only when your son-in-law arrives here are you to go to the pound,” she told her father and her mother.

(38) kîtahtawê wâ-wâstahikâniwiw.

(38) Presently the signals were waved.

(39) "oskinîkîtik, nitawi-askatâk!" kâ-itwêyit ayîsiyiniwa, pikonita kâ-pêhtâkwaniyik matokahpihk, tâpiskôc mîkiwâhpa ê-ayâyiki, ispî ê-pîhtokêpayiyit mostoswa, kahkiyaw ê-nipahimiht.

(39) “Young men! Go lie in wait!” cried the people, and all over the abandoned camp-site the noise began, just as if the tents were yet there, and then the buffalo came running into the corral and were all killed.

(40) iyâta-awa-pîhtokêci awa nâpêsis, "nâ, mâcikôtitâk ta-wâpamâwak ayîsiyiniwak ê-mihcêticik!" iyâta-itwêci, nama awiya paspâpiyiwa omanâcimâkana.

(40) Even though he, that boy, said, “Nonsense, it is worth seeing, the crowd of people!” yet neither of his parents-in-law peeked out.

(41) wiyawâw wiya wâpamêwak ayîsiyiniwa.

(41) But they themselves could see the people.

(42) êkwa ôtê pîhtokahânihk ê-matwê-wîhimiht ôhtâwiyiwâwa, "awa kiya omostoso-mêy, kiya kinahâhkisîm pêsiwêw mostoswa!" "êwako ohci ê-wiyinot kâ-ôh-miyitân!" ê-itiht, ay-apiw; namôya wî-paspâpiw.

(42) Then, right there from the buffalo-pound they heard their father being called by name, “It is you, Buffalo-Dung, whose son-in-law is bringing the buffalo! That is why I am giving you the fattest one!” he was told, but he stayed right where he was; he would not peer out.

(43) êkwa ôhi matokahpihk ayîsiyiniwak ê-wâh-wîhimiht, "awa kiya, omostoso-mêy!" wiyâs kita-otinahk, mitoni kahkiyaw ayîsiyiniwa ê-wîhimiht, êkwa matokahpihk ê-tatwêwitamiyit awâsisa, pêhtawêwak ôki kêhtê-ayak. ôki wiya otawâsimisa wayawîtimihk ay-ayâyiwa, asici onahâhkisîmiwâwa. kîtahtawê kâ-matwê-takohtêyit onahâhkisîmiwâwa.

(43) Then when the people who had lived in that now deserted camp were called, now one, now another, by name, “This one is for you, buffalo-Dung!” (meaning that he was to take the meat), when all the people, to the last one, were called by name, and when even the children were noising about in the abandoned camp, that old couple heard them all. But his children were outside, with the old people's son-in-law. Presently they heard their son-in-law arrive.

(44) "hâw, êkwa wiyâsa kita-asa kita-âwatâwak kôhtâwiy kikâwiy, mîna ta-mîciyêk kita-otinahkik."³

"kahkiyaw matokahpihk têsipicikana kâ-ayâki, êkota kita-ati-akotâwak wiyâsa, mîna ôta kitêsipicikaniwâhk tâni ana ê-wiyinoyit, êwakoni kita-otinêwak, wiyâsa kita-otinahkik, ta-mîcicik!" itwêw awa nâpêsis kâ-osâmiconisit; "êkosi tôtahkwâwi, êkâ paspâpitwâwi, tahki êkosi kita-isi-miyopayiw." "mâka wiya paspâpitwâwi, namôya ta-miyopayiw." "kiyâm awa pihêwokas nâcipahâci, pêyakwan kita-ispayiw, êkâ paspâpitwâwi kôhtâwiy kikâwiy mîna." "nîswâw kî-nâcipahâci pihêwokas, êkoyikohk êtokê ta-kî-nîpinisinâniwiw." "wiyâs mistahi kika-ayânâwâw." "namôya tâpwê awâsis awa pihêwokas." "niya mîna, ê-kitimâkêyimitâhk, ê-nôhtêhkatêyêk, kâ-ôh-pê-itohtêyâhk kîkiwâhk," itêw; "wîhtamôwâhkan kôhtâwiy kikâwiy: mîna wâpahki ta-nâcipahâw pihêwokas." "êkota ohci nânitaw nêwo-tipiskâk mîna ta-nâcipahâw." "piyisk mistahi kika-ayânâwâw mîciwin," itêw owîkimâkana.

(44) “There now, now let your father and mother go fetch the meats, and let them take some for you to eat. On all the drying-frames that are on the camp-site let them hang the meats, and for this drying-frame of yours let them take the fattest one, to provide meat for them to eat!” said the boy who was a prattler; “If they do this way and do not peep, things will always go as well as this. But if they peep, things will not go well. Even if Partridge-Claw here drives buffalo, things will go just as well, if only your father and your mother do not try to look. By the time Partridge-Claw has had two turns at driving in buffalo, there will be enough, I guess, for a stay over the summer. You will have a big supply of meat. This Partridge-Claw is not really a child. And I, too; because we felt sorry for you when you were starving, is why we came to your dwelling,” he told her; “Tell your father and mother: tomorrow again Partridge-Claw is to drive buffalo. Some four days after that he is to drive them again. In the end you will have a big supply of food,” he told his wife.

(45) êkosi êkwa papâ-ma-mêtawêwak ôki awâsisak. kîtahtawê otinamwak misâskwatwa pâh-pêyak. pîhtokatâwak wîkiwâhk, êkwa ê-astâwâtahkik. miywâsiniyiwa. waniskânikanihk apasôhk êkota tahkopitamwak.

(45) Then those children went about playing. Then at one time each of them took a stick of saskatoon willow. They brought them into the lodge and put feathers on them, to make arrows. They were pretty. They tied them to the master-pole by which the tent is raised.

(46) ômisi itwêw awa kâ-osâmiconisit: "nîtim, êkâya wîhkâc otinamok ôki;" "osâm sâkihtâw nîpisisa awa pihêwokas," itêw.

(46) Thus spoke the prattler: “Sister-in-law, do you and the others never take these; Partridge-Claw is very particular about my arrows,” he told her.

(47) pêhtamwak ôki kêhtê-ayak.

(47) The old-folks heard this.

(48) "â, êyakonik kâ-ôh-pimâtisiyahk, ê-tôtamâkoyâhk mîciwin, nitawâsimisitik!" "êkâya wîhkâc sâminamok ahpô ninahâhkisîmak wîpisisiwâwa, wiya ê-sâkihtâcik!" itwêw awa kisêyiniw.

(48) “Now, it is to them we owe our lives, since they have provided food for us, children! Never so much as touch my sons-in-laws' arrows, since they are particular about them!” said the old man.

(49) êkwa wiyâpaniyik, nâcipahâw awa awâsis pêyak kâ-kiyâmêwisit. pêyakwaniyiw ê-tôtahkik. pîhtokêpayiyiwa mostoswa. pêyakwaniyiw ê-tatwêwitamiyit ayîsiyiniwa awâsisa mîna, êkây ê-wî-paspâpicik. kahkiyaw kwayâci-wiyanihcikâsoyiwa ôhi mostoswa. sôskwâc kâ-kapê-kîsik ê-âwatâcik wiyâsa ôki kêhtê-ayak.

(49) Then, the next morning, the child who was bashful went buffalo driving. They always did it in the same way. The buffalo ran into the pound. Even as before, the people and the children made their din, and they did not peer out. All the buffalo were skinned and cut up for them beforehand, so that without delay the old couple could set about fetching in meat day after day.

(50) êkosi matokahpihk ê-nakatamoht ôhi têsipicikana mitoni ê-sâkaskinahtâcik iyikohk, pôyôwak ôki awâsisak.

(50) Then, when the drying scaffolds that had been left on the abandoned site were all full, the children ceased.

(51) êkwa ômisi itwêw awa kâ-osâmiconisit nâpêsis: "nîtim, asaminân." "nîmâhinân." "mâskôc kîtahtawê namôya nika-takohtânân, êkota ta-mîciyâhk," itwêw awa nâpêsis kâ-osâmiconisit.

(51) Then the boy who was a prattler spoke: “Sister-in-law, give us food. Give us provisions for the way. Perhaps some time we shall not get home; let us have food to eat off there,” said the boy who was a prattler.

(51b) tâpwê miyâwak kâhkêwakwa mîna wiyinwa mîna otakisiya ê-sakâpîhkâtamoht, ta-isi-nayôhtahkik. êkosi ê-tôtâhcik, êkwa wayawîwak kîkisêpâ.

(51b) Accordingly, they were given pieces of dried meat and of fat meat and tripe, nicely wrapped into a bundle for them to carry on their backs. When this had been done for them, then early in the morning they went out of the tipi.

(52) "hâw, pihêwokas, nôhtêhkatêwak ôki ôta awa kâ-ôh-picit okimâw." "mahti êkotê itohtêtân." "kôhkominaw nitawi-asamâtân," itêw.

(52) “Now, Partridge-Claw, that chief who moved away from this camp and his people are starving. Let us go there. Let us go give our grandmother food,” he said to the other.

(53) "êha," itwêw awa nâpêsis.

(53) “Very well,” said that boy.

(54) ohpîwak, nayêwâc ê-pimakocihkik. mitoni ê-otâkosiniyik, otihtamwak mîkiwâhpa ê-mihcêniyiki.

(54) They rose from the ground, flying through the air. Late in the afternoon they reached the place where there were many tents.

(55) êkwa ôki iskwêsisak pîkiskâtêwak onâpêmiwâwa, êkây ê-pêhtawâcik ita kita-tatwêwitamiyit.

(55) Meanwhile those girls felt lonely for their husbands, when they did not hear them at their noisy play.

(56) êkwa nêki ita ê-sakâyik êkota pakicîwak.

(56) But those others alighted in a grove of trees.

(57) "hâw, pihêwokas, mitoni kinêsôwêyimitin kiya." "niya mahti nika-nitawâpamâwak ôki awâsisak," itêw owîcêwâkana.

(57) “Now, Partridge-Claw, I have no confidence in your powers. Let me be the one to go see those children,” he said to his comrade.

(58) ohpîw, ê-pihêwit. mîtosihk twêhôw.

(58) He flew up in the form of a partridge. He settled on a poplar tree.

(59) "êy! âstamitik! awa pihêw!" itwêwak awâsisak.

(59) “Hey! Come here! See this partridge!” cried the children.

(60) pimwêwak. iyâta-pimohci awa pihêw, ohpihâw. kisiwâk twêhôw. êkosi ôki awâsisak nôsôskawêwak mihcêt. kîtahtawê wâhyaw ê-itohtahât, sôskwâc ohpahôw. itê kâ-kî-nakatât owîcêwâkana, êkota twêhôw. kâwi awâsisîwiw. êkwa mitihtêwak ôhi awâsisa. kêkâ-tipiskâyiw. iyikohk ê-pê-kîwêcik ôki awâsisak, nâh-nakiskawêwak. kwâhkonikwak, ê-kipiskawâcik. nâway ayâwak; ayis konita itê isi-kwâhkonikwak. ê-âta wâh-pasikôtwâwi, kotaka ê-kwâhkonikocik, piyisk nâway ayâwak.⁴

ê-ati-tipiskâyik, wâpahtamwak nôtokêsiwa wîkisiyiw, wîstêpahkwayikamik.

(60) They shot arrows at it. Although the partridge was shot at, it flew up. Close by it settled again. So the children chased it hard. Presently, when he had drawn them off a long ways, suddenly he flew up. There where he had left his comrade, he came down. He turned back into a child. Then they followed those children's tracks. It was almost night. When those children were coming home, they began meeting them one after another. The children pushed them over and blocked their way. They were in the rear; for at every point the others pushed them over. Whenever they tried to get on their feet, others pushed them over, until they were in the rear. When night came on, they saw an old woman's little tent, a tipi of old bits of leather.

(61) "êwako ôma, pihêwokas, kôhkominaw wîki." "pîhtokêtân." "êkota nipâhkahk." "namôya ta-kî-kîwêyahk anohc," itwêwak.

(61) “This is our grandmother's dwelling, Partridge-Claw. Let us go in. Let us sleep here. We cannot get home today,” they said.

(62) "êha," itwêw awa kâ-kiyâmêwisit.

(62) “Very well,” said the bashful one.

(63) êkwa ê-pîhtokêcik, "hê, nôhkô! ôta nika-cimatwâtonân kitiskwâhtêmihk!"

(63) Then, as they entered, “Hey, grandmother! Let us play with our throwing-sticks here by your doorway!”

(64) "êha, nôsisimisitik!" itikwak.

(64) “Yes, my grandchildren!” she said to them.

(64b) êkwa êkota ma-mêtawêwak, ê-cimatwâtocik. piyisk ê-tipiskâyik poyôwak.

(64b) Then they continued to play there with their throwing-sticks. At last, when it was dark, they ceased.

(65) êkwa nêki iskwêsisak, êkâ ê-kî-nipâcik, kitâpahtamwak ôhi acosisa nîso. waskawîmakaniyiwa. kitâpahtamwak ôki iskwêsisak.

(65) Meanwhile those girls yonder, who had not gone to sleep, looked at those two arrows. The things were moving. The girls watched them.

(66) êkwa nêki nâpêsisak, "hêy, nôsisimitik, êkwa ninôhtêhkwasin." "nitawi-nipâk êkwa." "kîwêk." "ninôhtêhkwasin."

(66) And the boys off there, “Hey, my grandchildren, now I am sleepy. Go and sleep now. Go home. I am sleepy.”

(67) êkwa awa kâ-osâmiconisit ômisi itêw: "nôhkô, namôya nânitaw nika-kî-nipânân," ê-itwêt.

(67) Then the prattler said to her, “Grandmother, there will not be any place for us to sleep.”

(68) ôki âsay nipâwak nêtê nêma kêhtê-ayak. êkwa ôki iskwêsisak kâ-otinahkik ôhi acosisa, ê-waskawîmakaniyiki, kîtahtawê kâ-pêhtahkik ê-pîkiskwêyit, ôhi acosisa ê-pîkiskwêmakahki. awa wêwîpisisit tânisi ê-itwêt, êkota pîkiskwêw wîpisisihk.

(68) Off back yonder that old couple was already asleep. And as those girls picked up the arrows which were moving, suddenly they heard someone speak, as if those arrows were speaking. Whatever the owner of the arrow said, he spoke in the arrow there.

(69) "nimisê, ana mâcikôtitâk âstam!" "nitohtawâtânik nîtim êkwa kîtim tânisi êtwêcik!"

(69) “Big sister, this is great, come here! Let us listen to my brother-in-law and to your brother-in-law to hear what they say!”

(70) êkosi ôhi ê-itwêmakahki acosisa, itwêyiwa. êkwa nitohtawâwak, wâhyaw ê-ayâcik.

(70) So now, whatever those arrows said, the others were saying. And they listened to them, though they were far away.

(71) êkwa awa nôtokêsiw kâ-itât ôsisima, "nôhkô, namôya nânitaw wîhkâc niwîkihkêmonân, têpiyâhk ê-ayâsô-wîkihkêmoyâhk." "tânêhki ôma, nôhkô, êkâ kâ-ôh-mîcisoyan?" itêw ôhkoma.

(71) And when that old woman had thus spoken to her grandchildren, “Grandmother, we never stay anywhere with people, but pay at most a little visit here and there. How is it, grandmother that you do not eat?” he asked his grandmother.

(72) "hêy, nôsisê, namôya ôma mamiywê awiyak ê-mîcisot, ê-nôhtêhkatêhk ôma." "âta kikiskêyihtênâwâw." "nika-kitimâkêyimâwak nôsisimak." "nôsisimitik, êwako ana nipâkêhkêk," otanâskâniyiwa ê-isiwêpinâyit, ta-nipâkêcik.

(72) “Alas, grandchild mine, no one at all eats here, for here is a famine. But surely you know this. I shall befriend my grandchildren. My grandsons, use this to sleep on,” and she tossed them her sleeping-mat, for them to sleep on.

(73) "hâ, nôhkô, awa awa wiya pihêwokas ê-pê-nitawi-asamisk!" ôhi itêwak, ê-miyâcik kâhkêwakwa mîna wiyinwa.

(73) “Well, grandmother, but this Partridge-Claw here has come to give you food!” they said to her, and gave her pieces of dried and of fat meats.

(74) "êkosi, nôsisimitik!" "ôta awa okimâw otânisa, 'awiyak nitawi-minahtâci ôma nitôtênaw, êwako nika-onahâhkisîmin,' ê-itwêt," "pêyak âta âskaw wâh-wîhkâc nipahêw okwâskwêpayihôsa; mâka namôya kî-têpêyihtamwak ayîsiyiniwak."⁵

"osâm apisîs, ê-mihcêtihk," itwêw awa nôtokêsiw; "nôsisê, niwî-kawisimon." "itâp êkota nika-mîcison," itwêw awa nôtokêsiw.

(74) “Thank you, my grandsons. Now, the chief here, concerning his daughter, ‘If anyone kills game for my town here, him I shall take for my son-in-law,’ he has said, but, though from time to time one or another kills a deer, yet the people do not get enough to go round. It is too little, what with the great number of them,” said the old woman; “Now, grandson, I want to lie down. Now I shall be able to sleep,” said the old woman.

(75) nipâwak êkwa nêki iskwêsisak. acosisa tahkonamwak. ê-itwêmakaniyiki, nitohtawêwak onâpêmiwâwa.

(75) The girls off yonder had gone to sleep. They held the arrows in their hands. When the things spoke, they listened to their husbands.

(76) "hêy, pihêwokas, mahti êkwa nitawi-nôtiskwêwê!" "awa okimâw otânisa nitawi-nôtiskwêwâs!"

(76) “Hey, Partridge-Claw, do you now go courting! Go court this chief's daughter!”

(77) "hâ, mâka mîna êcika ani wâ-mikoskâtisiyan!" itêw awa ostêsa.

(77) “Ha, so it seems you are again making trouble!” he said to his elder brother.

(78) "hâ, wiya ê-sâkwêyimoyan, kiyâm ici niya!"

(78) “Hoho, if you do not care to, it may as well be I!”

(79) "hêy, nimisê, wî-matwê-nôtiskwêwêw êkwa kinâpêm!" itwêyiwa otânisa awa.

(79) “Oh, but sister, it says your husband is going courting!” said that man's daughter.

(80) hâ, nitohtamwak, ê-pêkopayicik.

(80) They listened to it, waking up.

(81) êkwa awa itohtêw awa nâpêsis. êkwa awa kotak kâ-kiyâmêwisit namwâc êkwa waskawîmakaniyiw wîpisis; ayis nipâw; awa piko kâ-osâmiconisit ka-waskawîmakaniyik wîpisis. êkwa nitawi-nôtiskwêwêw.

(81) Then that boy went there. Then the arrow of the other boy, the one who was bashful, did not move at all, for he slept; only the prattler's arrow bobbed up and down. Then he went courting.

(82) ê-pîhtokêt, "mahti wâsaskotêna!" itwêw awa okimâw awa otânisa.

(82) When he entered the lodge, “Make the fire bright!” said the chief's daughter.

(83) pôti ôhi awâsisa ê-kitâpamikot, wîsta ê-kitâpamât, kâ-wî-pâhpiyit.

(83) Then, when she behold the child looking at her, and in turn gazed at him, he smiled at her.

(84) "âstawina!" itwêw awa oskinîkiskwêw.

(84) “Put out the fire!” said the young woman.

(85) âstawinamwân ôma iskotêw. êkosi kawisimôw. nîsôhkwâmiwak, kotaka iskwêwa ê-otinât. âcimostawêw ê-mîsihtâcik.

(85) The fire was put out for her. [no translation] [no translation] He told her of how they had acquired a supply of meat.

(86) "ôhi kâ-ihtahtiki mîkiwâhpa kahkiyaw omatokahpiwâhk têsipicikana sâ-sâkaskinêwa." "kîhtwâm nika-pê-itohtân." "êkospî kôhtâwiy kika-wîhtamawâw, kî-pîhtokêyâni; êkospî ka-kiskêyihtênâwâw." "kita-wîhtam kôhtâwiy." "mîna ôtê ê-pîhtokêyân, kika-âcimostawâw." "êkospî wâpahki nika-kîwânân;" "nipê-wîcêwâw nisîm." "hâ, êkosi." "niwî-kîwân." "kêkâc wâpan."

(86) “Of as many tents as are in their camp-site, all the drying-scaffolds are filled. I shall come back here. When I do so, you will tell your father, when I shall have come into the tent; then you will all know about it. Your father will announce it. When I come in here again, then you will tell him about it. Now tomorrow we shall go back; for my brother has come here with me. Well, that is all. I am going back. It is almost daylight.”

(87) "êha" itik.

(87) “Very well,” she answered him.

(88) êkosi wayawîw. pîhtokêw ôhkoma wîkiyihk. kawisimôw. mayaw kâ-kawisimot, nêma wîpisis kâmwâtastêyiw. nipâwak. wiyâpaniyik, kîkisêpâ kîwêwak. ê-otâkosiniyik takosinwak wîkiwâhk.

(88) Thereupon he went out of the tipi. He entered his grandmother's lodge. He lay down. As soon as he had lain down, his arrow off yonder lay at rest. They slept. When day broke, early in the morning they went back home. Towards evening they arrived at their dwelling.

(89) "tânitê ôma ê-kî-ayâyêk?" itikwak wîwiwâwa.

(89) “Where have you been?” their wives asked them.

(90) "hâ, iyikohk ê-kitâyâhk kâ-kî-nîmâhiyêk, êkoyikohk kâ-ôh-pê-kîwêyâhk." "osâm apisîs kâ-kî-nîmâhiyâhk," itêwak.

(90) “Well, far enough to use up the provisions you gave me, and then we came home. You gave us too little food for the way,” they told him.

(91) êkosi ê-wâpaniyik, nâcipahâw awa osîmimâw. êkosi mihcêt pêsiwêw mostoswa. kîhtwâm ê-wâpaniyik, âsay mîna nitotamâw kita-nîmâcik; êkwa ita ê-miywâsik mîciwin miyâwak mistahi. êkosi kîkisêpâ wayawîwak. mayaw ê-âkawêwêcik, ohpîwak. pêyakwan; ê-otâkosiniyik, takosinwak. êkosi pîhtokêwak ôhkomiwâwa wîkiyihk. êkwa sêmâk miyikwak ôhkomiwâwa ta-nipâkêcik. mayaw ê-tipiskâyik miyêwak ôhkomiwâwa.

(91) So when the next day came, the younger one drove buffalo. He brought many buffalo. On the next day after that he again asked for provisions; and they were given much of the very best food. Then early they went out of the tent. As soon as they were behind a rise in the land, they flew up. It was as before; in the evening they arrived. They went into their grandmother's lodge. This time at once their grandmother gave them bedding. As soon as night had fallen they gave it to their grandmother.

(92) "ê-miywâsiki, nôhkô, ôhi kanawêyihta." "wâpahki kîkisêpâ nitomimâhkan awa okimâw otânisa: itâp ta-pê-itohtêw," itêw ôhkoma.

(92) “Keep these good victuals, grandmother. Early tomorrow morning call the chief's daughter: she is to come here,” he told his grandmother.

(93) nêtê wîkiwâhk nitohtawâw, wîpisisihk ohci.

(93) Off yonder where they dwelt he was heard through his arrow.

(94) "êkwa ani wâh-owîskwiyin, nimisê!" itimâwa otânisa.

(94) “So now you are to have a fellow-wife, big sister!” the man's daughter was told.

(94b) êkosi ê-tipiskâyik, nitawi-nôtiskwêwêw. tâpwê kêkâc ê-wâpaniyik, pê-kîwêw. âsay waniskâyiwa osîma.

(94b) [no translation] [no translation] [no translation]

(95) "mistahi kimisi-wanâtahkamikisin!" itik osîma.

(95) “You surely do carry on in a dreadful way!” his younger brother said to him.

(96) "kiya ôma kâ-misi-wanâtahkamikisiyan!" itêw.

(96) “It is you, rather, who go on in a dreadful way!” he answered him.

(97) nitohtawâwak wîpisisiwâhk ohci, nitawâc âskaw ê-pâhpicik ôki iskwêsisak.

(97) They were heard through their arrows, and those girls from time to time could not help laughing.

(98) êkwa ê-kîsikâk, "hâ, nôhkô, nitawi-nitom awa oskinîkiskwêw!" "miyâhkan ôhi; ta-kîwêhtatâw." "mâskôc ta-kî-pimâtisiwak ayîsiyiniwak, otihtahkwâwi omatokahpiwâwa," itêw ôhkoma.

(98) Then, when daylight had come, “Now, grandmother, go call that young woman! Give her these; she may take them home with her. Perhaps the people will be able to live, if they reach their old camp,” he told his grandmother.

(99) "êkwa nitawi-nitomâw."

(99) Then she was called for and invited.

(100) "nôsisê, aciyaw kiwî-pê-itohtân nîkihk." "ê-ohci-nitomitân, osâm nipapâsimik nôsisim." "itâp wiya kika-âcimostâk."

(100) “My grandchild, you are to come to my tent for a bit.” My grandchild has been bothering me to invite you. The rest he will tell you.”

(101) "êha," itêw.

(101) “Very well,” she said to her.

(102) itohtêw. ê-pîhtokêt, awîna ôhi, kî-apiyiwa kâ-nôtiskwêwâtikot. nahapîstawêw.

(102) She went there. When she entered, who was that sitting there, but the one who had courted her! She sat down by his side.

(103) "hâw, ôhi ôhi kâ-ôh-nitomitân." "êkosi mâka pêyakwâw kî-kapêsihk, êkota nika-ôh-sipwêhtânân," itêw; "hâ, êkwa kâ-kî-wîhtamâtân kôhtâwiy kita-wîhtam, ôma kâ-itwêyân." "mistahi mîsihtâw kâ-kî-nakatiht omanâcimâkana awa," itêw osîma; "êkosi."

(103) “Well, these things are why I have called you here. Now, if once they camp on the way, that will be from where we others will depart,” he told her; “Now then, now let your father announce what I have told you, the things I said. A great supply of meat has this one's father-in-law,” he said, referring to his younger brother; “So there.”

(104) hây, êkosi kîwêw awa oskinîkiskwêw. ôhtâwiya nitomêw wîkihk ohci.

(104) Accordingly, the young woman went home. She called her father from her tent.

(105) "nôhtâ, ôta pê-pîhtokêw awâsis." "êkosi ita ê-nipâyân êkota nipâw." "mîsihtâw kîci-kisêyiniw kâ-kî-nakatiht." "'tahto kâ-ihtahtiki matokahpa, êko-tahto ihtahtinwa têsipicikana, wiyâsa ê-akotêki,' itwêw kinahâhkisîm;" "'êkosi kita-isi-wîhtam,' ê-isit kâ-ôh-isi-wîhtamân."

(105) “Father, a child has come in here. [no translation] Your fellow-old-man who was abandoned has a store of meat. ‘As many as are the deserted camps. so many are the scaffolds where hang the meats,’ says your son-in-law; ‘Accordingly, so let him announce it,’ he said to me, and that is why I am saying it now.

(106) "êha, nitânis." "mastaw kiya kitayân, 'nâpêw' ê-pakosîhtâyan." "kakwê-miyo-pimâtisi." "kitimâkêyim ana kîskwa," itêw otânisa.

(106) “Yes, daughter. And so at last you have that which you begged for, saying, ‘a man.’ Try to live uprightly. Be sympathetic toward your fellow-wife,” he told his daughter.

(107) â, wîhtam: "kika-picinânaw anohc." "matwê-mîsihtâw nîci-kisêyiniw; matwê-mîsihtâw." "sôskwâc ita kâ-kî-ôh-piciyêk, êkota ka-kapêsinâwâw," itwêw ê-wîhtamawât otayisiyinîma.

(107) Then he announced it: “We shall move camp today. It is heard that my old friend has a supply of food; it is heard that he has a supply. Without delay you are to camp there whence you have moved camp,” he said, instructing his people.

(108) tâpwê piciwak kahkiyaw. itê ê-kapêsicik, âsay mîna nitawi-nôtiskwêwêw awa. kîkisêpâ kîwêw. hâh, takosinwak wîkiwâhk.

(108) Accordingly, they all moved camp. There where they camped for the night, again that one went courting [no translation]. [no translation] They arrived at their dwelling.

(109) hâ, mayaw ê-pîhtokêt, "nîtim, kâhkwêyim kiwîkimâkan!" "êwakoni okimâwa otânisiyiwa, êwakoni ê-wîwit," itêw osîma.

(109) Then, as soon as he entered, “Sister-in-law, be jealous of your husband! That chief's daughter, her he has taken to wife,” he said of his younger brother.

(110) "nâ, nîtim, kiya ôma kâ-wîwiyan." "kinitohtâtin ôma tahki," itik wîtimwa.

(110) “Nonsense, brother-in-law, it is you, rather, who have taken her to wife. I have been listening to you all the time,” his sister-in-law told him.

(111) "ahâw, nitawâsimisitik, kwayâci-pânahamok ita kita-wîkit kimisiwâw, kotak mîna kôhtâwiyiwâw;" "nîswayak kika-pânahênâwâw," itêw.

(111) “Now then, children, make ready by clearing the snow from the place where your elder sister is to stay and your other father; in two places you will clear the snow,” he told them.

(112) tâpwê pâpiciwak. sôskwâc kapêsimostawâwak. êkoyikohk ati-kâh-kîsopwêyâyiw.

(112) So they moved camp to that place. Without delay they joined them where they camped. By this time the warm weather was coming on.

(113) êkosi êkwa, "hâw, nisîm, nâcipahâhkan." "aswêyim mâka: pêyak kipakwâtik." "êkwa pêyak niya nipakwâtik;" "mâka nika-misawihâw niya," itêw; "êkâya wîhkâc sâpo-pimohtê, piyêsiwatwâwi mostoswak," itêw osîma; "kiya nîkân nâcipahâhkan," itêw.

(113) Then, “Now, brother, drive in some buffalo. But watch for him: there is one who hates you. And there is one who hates me; but, as for me, I shall defeat him,” he told him; “Never walk through the herd when you bring buffalo,” he told his younger brother; “Do you first fetch buffalo,” he told him.

(114) "êha," itik.

(114) “Yes,” the other answered him.

(115) kîkisêpâ sipwêhtêw. pêyakwaniyiw ê-tôtahk, ê-mâwacihtât mostoso-mêya; pêyakwaniyiw ê-isi-têpwâtât. pasikôyiwa. kawipayihôw. pê-nîkânohtawêw. mâkohik ê-sakiskamiyit ôhi mostoswa wataniya, paspaskiw kâ-itâyahk ê-êkotôwiwit awa kâ-kiyâmêwisit.⁶

hâw, ê-astâhamâmiht ôhi mostoswa, nama kî-sêkopayihôw; kîsinâtakocin; sâpo-pimohtêw. ê-wî-âta-pakicît, nama kî-pakicîw. iyâyaw ê-nîpisîhkopâyik, iyâyaw êkotê ispihâw. kîtahtawê kêkway ispimihk kâ-ôh-pêtôwêkotêyik. nama kî-itâpiw; pimi-tâwikipayihik. nama kî-naskwênik. pêyakwanohk wâskâhakociniyiwa.

(115) Early in the morning he set out. He did as before, collecting buffalo-dung; as before, he whooped at them. They rose from the ground. He threw himself down. He came walking at their head. The buffalo pressed him close, stepping on his bird-tail, for the creature which we call the quail, that was the form the bashful one had taken. Then, when things were waved to drive on the buffalo, he found no place to go; he hung helpless in the air; he went past the herd. Although he wanted to come to earth, he was not able to. Hastily to a clump of willows, hastily he flew up and thither. All at once something came bearing down with noise through the air. He had not time to look that way; it came and struck him. But it failed to snatch him. In one place that other creature circled round in the air.

(116) êkwa awa kâ-osâmiconisit, "êhêhêy, nisîm misi-wanâcihôw! mahti nika-nitawâpamâw!" itwêw.

(116) The the prattler cried, “Dear me, my brother is being destroyed! I must go look after him!”

(117) wayawîw; ocahcâpiya otinêw; êkwa ôhi nîso acosisa otinam. pôti ôhi sakâhk kî-pimisiniyiwa osîma. ê-otihtât, êkota kisiwâk akosîyiwa piponasiwa.

(117) He went out of the tent; he took his bow; and he took those two arrows. There in the grove he saw his brother lying. When he reached him, close by a winter-hawk was hanging in the air.

(118) "hêy!" itêw; "hêy! pêyakwan ôma kâ-isinâkosiyan, êkosi kika-isinâkosin." "osâm ayîsiyiniwak wîcêwatwâwi, tahki ayiwâk kika-tôtên." "nicawâc êkosi piko kika-isi-mîcison, ôma kâ-tôtaman!" itêw.

(118) “Hey!” he called to it; “Hey! Exactly as now you appear, even so shall be your bodily form. [no translation] you would always transgress. You will have to get your food always in the way of this which now you have done!” he said to it.

(119) nama kî-kwêskîmow; nama kî-ayisiyinîwiw. êwakoni"kipakwâtik" kâ-itiht awa kâ-nipahiht paspaskiw. êkwa osîma. ispâhkêw wîpisis; kotak mîna ê-ispâhkêt, pasikôyiwa osîma; pimâcihêw.

(119) It could not change its form; it could not turn back into human shape. It was the one of whom the quail who was slain had been told, “He hates you.” Now for his brother. He shot an arrow into the air; when he had shot the second one as well, his brother rose to his feet; he had restored him to life.

(120) iyâyaw pîhtokahânihk itohtêw; pôti ayisiyiniwa wâpamêw, ê-akosiyit pîhtokahânihk. otihtimanâhtana kikiskawêyiwa. nîhcipayihôw awa kâ-osâmiconisit, ê-nitonahk môhkomânitosâpisk.

(120) At once he hurried to the buffalo-pound; he saw a man sitting up on the hurdles of the enclosure. He wore a bracelet on his arm. The prattler descended to earth and began to look for a flint arrow-head.

(121) "yaôô! ê-kanawêyihtamân anima, mistatêw, nimôhkomânitosâpisk!"

(121) “Oho! I prized it, Glutton, my flint arrow-head!”

(121b) kitâpamêw; mihkôwiyiw ôma ocihciy. ômisi tôtam.

(121b) He looked at him; his hand was bloody. He did like this.

(122) "kiya êtokê, mistatêw!"

(122) “It must be you, Glutton!”

(123) ê-itât, konita apisi-kâhkâkîsa kâ-moskôwêpahwât oskîsikoyihk.

(123) As he said so to him, it was a magpie that he struck full in the face.

(124) "ôta nitawâc kiyi-pakosihâwak ayîsiyiniwak!"⁷

"namôya ka-kî-kwêskimon!" "kâsiyâpi; kika-wâpin anima!" itêw.

(124) “Here needs you will beg from human men! You will not be able to change your form! Wipe your face, you will have sight!” he said to it.

(125) nama kî-kwêskimôw.

(125) It could not change its form.

(126) "sakâhk kika-ohtâpanihon!" itêw.

(126) “In the woods you will get your sustenance!” he told it.

(127) ê-itiht awa, ohpihâw; konita itê ispihâw. nama kî-ayisiyinîwiw kâwi.

(127) When it was told thus, it flew up; it flew somewhere aloft. It was unable to take on human form again.

(128) "nicawâc kê-wâpahk nîsihkahk;" "nâcipahâhkahk," itwêw awa kâ-osâmiconisit, "êkota kita-oyasowâtâyahkok ôki ayîsiyiniwak," itêw osîma; "osâm namôya kwayask wî-ispayiw," "ayîsiyiniwak ta-nihtâwikiwak ôta askîhk," "- ta-sîkawîstamawâyahkok ôma askiy," itêw osîma.

(128) “Let us needs both go tomorrow; let us drive buffalo,” said the prattler, “Then let us plan for these people,” he said to his younger brother; “For it will not go well -- mortal men are to be born here on earth, and we must clear this earth for them,” he told his brother.

(129) "êha," itik.

(129) “Yes,” the latter answered him.

(130) êkwa nîsiwak, ê-wâpaniyik, ê-nâcipahâcik. hâ, nêtê mostoswa osîhêwak; kîwêhtahêwak mistahi mihcêt, cikawâsis êkwa ê-pîhtokêpayiyit. awa pihêw mêstakayitâsa kikitâsêw; awa paspaskiw mêstakayitâsa kikitâsêw. êkwa mohyâpitasêkôwak. mistahi miyosiwak. nîsokâpawiwak, ê-mêscihâcik ôhi mostoswa. âtiht ayîsiyiniwak ê-mêkwâ-wiyanihtâkêwiht, pê-nitawi-asamâwak mînisâpoy.

(130) Then both went, the next morning, to drive buffalo. So off yonder they made buffalo; and they brought back with them a vast number, but only a few went into the corral. The Partridge wore breeches of hair, and the Quail wore breeches of hair. And they wore their clothes with the fur turned in. They looked most handsome. They stood together, the two as they slew all the buffalo. While some of the people cleaned the game, others came to give them berry-water to drink.

(131) "hâw, ayîsiyinîtik, nicawâc kiyawâw nanâtohk kika-itôwiwinâwâw." "tahto pisiskiw kâ-ihtasit, nanâtohk kika-isi-pimâcihonâwâw." "kahkiyaw ayîsiyiniw kika-sâkôcihikowâw, ohpikici ôtê nîkân." "êkwa niya ôtê tawâyihk nika-ayân, kâ-nisticik acâhkosak." "kâkikê nika-pimâtisin." "êkwa awa nisîm, ôtê ta-nîsiwak acâhkosak, kâkikê ta-pimâtisit nisîm." "osâm wiyasiwêw kôhtâwiyinaw ta-sîkawîyahk, askîhk kita-ohpikihitot ayîsiyiniw."

(131) “Now then, people, you will have to turn into various forms. As many as are the beasts, as such you will find your sustenance. Every mortal man will overcome you, when off in the future he grows forth into life. But as for me, there in middle space I shall be, where are three stars. Forever I shall live. And as for this my younger brother, there shall be twain stars, and forever shall my brother live. For our Father has planned that we shall make way for mortal man to grow forth here on this earth.”

(132) êkoyikohk êskwâk âtayôhkêwin.

(132) This is as far as this sacred story goes.

Footnotes

¹LB on cacêkahkwânah: The word cikahkwân: “lance,” (plural -ah, or reduplicated cacêkahkwânah) is used also of small darts with which boys played a game: one threw his dart so that it stuck upright in the ground, and the opponent tried to throw his so as to split the other. The same word in animate gender (plural -ak) is used of the girls' and women's gambling toy which consists (seen on Star Blanket Reserve) of four slabs of wood shaped like a knife-blade with surfaces slightly convex, and measuring perhaps 8 by 3 inches. On one side of two slabs are bear-tracks; on one side of the other two, weasel-tracks. The four slabs are grasped in one hand and tossed; the throw counts according to the combination of bear-tracks, weasel-tracks, and blanks that turn up.

²LB on êhêêê: This and similar calls are made with lip-rounding at the end.

³CHECK kit-âsah

⁴LB on êh-âta: Probably read iyâta-; in either case we have a verb-form which is not finished, but is re-commenced in the wâh- of the next word.

⁵CHECK: kih-têpahotôwak. Is this a new TA kîh-têpêyiht-âwak?

⁶LB on paspaskiw: I here translate pihyêw: “partridge,” and paspaskiw: “quail,” arbitrarily, for I could not identify the birds; interpreters say partridge for both. The brother here called paspaskiw was above named pihêwokas.

⁷CHECK kiya-...