650 TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY [eth. ANN. 31 



After Raven has obtained the sun, he walks down along the banks of Nass River 

 until he hears the noise of people catching olachen. At that time all the people of 

 the world lived at this place. They were afraid that Raven would bring the day- 

 light. He tells them to stop making noise, saying that else he will break the day- 

 light box. They disbelieve him. In order to convince them he opens the box a 

 little; and when they are not yet convinced, he opens the box completely, and there 

 is full daylight in the world. The people become the animals whose skins they are 

 wearing T16 83. 



He meets people, and inquires whether they wish for daylight. They scold him. 

 Then he opens the box, the sun appears, and the people scatter. They become 

 animals Tl 4. 



He asks fishermen to give him some fish, and promises the daylight in return. 

 They scold him, and he raises one wing and lets them see the moon, which he is 

 holding under it. The people believe him, give him a few herrings, which at that 

 time had no bones. Because I hey had disbelieved him first, he puts pine needles 

 into the fish, which since that time has many bones. The people arc transformed into 

 animals Tl 5. 



In all these versions it is specifically stated that some of the peo- 

 ple become land animals, others sea animals. In Tl 5 the birds are 

 also mentioned. 



The Masset version M6 is quite similar to the preceding forms. 



He sits on the banks of Nass River, where people are fishing olachen. He says 

 that if they will give him spruce needles (meaning olachen) he will make daylight. 

 The people scold him, and he lets them see part of the moon. The people then give 

 him many olachen, and he puts the moon under his armor wing. The transformation 

 incident is here omitted Mb 310. 



Another Masset version is quite fragmentary. 



He reaches £ odju'was in Masset Inlet. People are fishing for olachen, and he asks 

 for some evergreen needles. They refuse to give him any. At that time there was 

 no daylight Mo 329. 



He meets fishermen fishing with rakes on Nass River, and promises light in return 

 for a fish. They do not believe him, and he shows them a small part of the moon. 

 Then they give him several canoe-loads of fish Ska 1 17. 



In the Bellabella version Knight Inlet is substituted for Nass 

 River. 



He promises to open the box if the people will give him olachen, but they decline. 

 He flies to Rivers Inlet and Skeena River, but nobody gives him anything to eat. 

 Finally he opens the box on Nass River, daylight appears, and the people become frogs 

 and water birds. At night a blanket is drawn over the sky in order to make it dark 

 H ap 885. 



The Nootka version has an ending that is only remotely related 

 to those here discussed. 



After Raven has taken possession of the sun, the people deliberate how to obtain it. 

 During the council, Wren and Elk have a dispute, which belongs to incident 46 (pp. 

 570, 718). Then Wren suggests that the people shall catch an abundance of fish, clams 

 and game, which is presented to Raven, who in return tells the sun to travel along 

 the sky in the daytime. He opens the box-cover, and the sun goes up to the sky. 

 From that time on the Raven is allowed to pick out his own food. He picks out the 

 eyes of the fish, and parts of the clams Nu ap 891. 



