198 TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY [BTH. ANN. 31 



The chief was very glad, for many of his company were going with 

 him to the canyon of G'its lala'sEr. Then the four companies sepa- 

 rated, each going to its own camp. All the Spring Salmon went on 

 their way. 



Now the chief's company in his large canoe was at the mouth 

 of Skeena River, together with the prince. "When they were close 

 to the mouth of Skeena River, they rested for some time. 



Now I will go back to the beginning. When day came, after the 

 prince had left his father's house, the people searched for him in the 

 daylight. Then the father of the prince assembled all the shamans 

 in his house, and he said to them, "I want you to let me know whether 

 my son is dead or alive." Then all the shamans of G'its lala'sEr each 

 worked his own spell, but none of them could explain to the chief what 

 had happened. The chief and his chieftainess were very sad. There 

 was only one great shaman left on the other side of the village. The 

 chief spoke to his attendants, and said, ''Go and bring that great 

 shaman here!" So they went, called him, and took with them much 

 property to present it to the great shaman. He was called Nes- 

 wa-ye'°tk. 



Then the shaman went with all his companions; and when he came 

 in, those who accompanied him arranged a seat for him. He put on 

 his crown of grizzly-bear claws, put eagle's down in the crown, put on 

 his dancing-apron, and red paint on his face. He was quite naked, 

 and took his rattle in his right hand and the white tail of an eagle in 

 his left hand. Then he began to sing, and all Ms companions struck 

 batons against a cedar board which lay in front of them. The great 

 shaman was dancing around the fire. 



As soon as his three songs were ended, he stood still in front of the 

 father and mother of the prince who had been lost. 



He said to the father and mother, "Your boy is not dead. He is 

 alive, and lives in the house of the Salmon people." Then the father 

 took a little comfort, and the shaman sang again. He ran around the 

 fire; and after another three songs, he stood still again, and said, 

 "The Spring Salmon took away your son. He is now in the house of 

 the Spring Salmon chief; for your wife was angry with the boy because 

 he took a little piece of her large dried spring salmon; and if you do 

 not eat the dried spring salmon, your son will not come back this 

 spring. As soon as you eat the dried spring salmon which you have 

 kept for two full years in your box, the chief of the Spring Salmon 

 will get better, and then your boy will come back with him." Thus 

 spoke the great shaman to the father and to the mother of the prince. 

 After that he went to his own home on the other side of the canyon. 



Now, the parents of the prince took their dried salmon and ate it all. 

 Not many days after the great shaman had done this, the prince's 



