442 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. V, 



78. — The Man who became a Snake. 



Two young nxen start from camp-circle on war-path. They come across 

 two large eggs in nest on ground. They get off horses to identify eggs. 

 They dispute. One says they are goose eggs ; other that they are from snake. 

 Former takes them and at night boils and eats them. In morning his body 

 is swollen and during day he becomes so fat his partner has to cut his clothes 

 to get them off. He gets fatter all the time and looks strange. Tells partner 

 his body is going to change. Becomes big snake, with long body and very large 

 eyes. Snake sends word by friend to relatives of change and tells him to sad- 

 dle horses. Snake goes with man as far as river. At other side is cliff. Water 

 is deep. Snake says he is going to stay in deep water against bank and send.-s 

 word to his folks that when they wish to cross near there to throw intestines 

 into river for remembrance of him and he would see they crossed in safety. 

 Snake starts into river and stays there. — D. 



79. — The Woman who had Beaver Children. 



Two newly married women go to river for water. On other side is steep 

 precipice and deep hole below. As one of them stoops and dips vessel in waterj 

 sun rays are reflected from deepest place on other side and strike her. Her 

 companion tells her to empty her vessel, but she refuses. Other woman does 

 not dip her vessel, as she fears something might happen to her. Woman who 

 dip,s vessel becomes pregnant. She is attended by companion and finally gives 

 birth to baby which resembles beaver. It breathes for short time and dies. 

 She gives birth to beavers several times, but they have no tails. Years pass, 

 and she has real baby. He grows up big boy and is sent to school. During 

 summer vacation boy is drowned in Wind River, so woman cannot raise children. 

 — D. 



80. — Bear, the Six Brothers and the Sister. 



Seven young men go on war-path. Bear comes and destroys all people 

 except girl. Girl becomes servant of bear and goes after water. War-party 

 returns and meets girl, who tells them of destruction of people by bear. They 

 offer girl rabbit meat but she declines it as bear is suspicious. They show her 

 how to knock over a rabbit. She takes rabbit and when bear asks where she 

 got it she shows how she killed it. Next time girl goes for water brothers ask 

 her to find vital spot of bear. She does, and tells them they can kill bear by 

 hitting small black spot. Sister escapes, meets brothers and they all run for 

 freedom. Bear follows. When sister sees bear gaining, she stops and kicks 

 shinny ball. Ball ascends, one of brothers goes up with it and lights in the 

 sky. Thus she sends all brothers and herself up to sky. Bear sees act and 

 stops, crying. Scratching himself much causes blood to flow, which indicates 

 circle of stars with sister as lone star off to one side, sitting away, teaching 

 morality for people. — D. 



81. — Foot-Stuck-Child. 



Young men live alone. One of them hurts his foot, which swells. A 

 child is born from it. She grows up. Bone-bull demands her lin marriage. 



