BOAS] TSIMSHIAX MYTHS 115 



Then all the animals were silent. The Dogs sat down together and 

 talked secretly, and thought about what they had said. The wisest 

 one among them was still standing. He was counting his fingers, and 

 reckoned forty days to each month. 



While he was doing so, a man struck the thumb of the wise one — it 

 was Porcupine who struck the Dog's thumb — and said, "Who can live 

 if there are forty days each month throughout the year ? There shall 

 be only thirty days each month." And all the animals agreed with him. 



They were glad. Therefore all the animals said, "We will follow 

 the advice of Porcupine." Therefore what he had said happened; 

 and therefore each month has thirty days, and there are twelve months 

 each year. 



Then all the animals agreed that the Dogs should he driven away; 

 and for this reason the Dog hates the Porcupine, and therefore the 

 Dog hates all the animals of the woods; but the Dog hates the Por- 

 cupine most of all, because Porcupine knocked down Dog's thumb 

 with his spiny tail when they were seated together in council; and 

 indeed Porcupine took the position of the wise Dog away from him 

 when he was standing among the animals. Therefore the Dog hates 

 the Porcupine up to this day, and for that reason the Dog's thumb 

 stands opposite his other fingers. The Dog hail six fingers. On 

 account of what happened then, there are only twelve months. 



At that time Porcupine made the days as we have them now — 

 thirty to each month. All the people enjoy the light in heaven. 

 Before that, our world was always dark. 



At that time the animals named every month while the} were 

 seated together in council. They began the count with the month — 



Between October and November, " Falling-Leaf Month." 



Between November and December, "Taboo Month." 



Between December and January, "The Intervening Month." 



Between January and February, "Spring-Salmon Month." 



Between February and March, "Month When Olai-hen Is Eaten." 



Between March and April, "When Olachen Is Cooked." 



Between April and May, (?) 



Between May and June. "Egg Mouth." 



Between June and July, "Salmon Month." 



Between July and August, "Humpback-Salmon Month." 



Between August and September, (?) 



Between September and October, "Spinning-Top Month." 



And they also divided the year into four seasons — spring, summer, 

 autumn, and winter. 



When The One Who Walks Ah Over The Sky was asleep, sparks 

 flew out of his mouth. Those are the stars; and at- night the moon 

 receives its fight from the sinning face of the Sun, who is asleep 

 when he is tired and when his light shoots out of the smoke hole. 



