boas] COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY 661 



The animals want to get the fire, therefore the bird Kute'na sends out the LaE'l- 

 guxsta (probably a chiton); he takes a coal in his mouth and wants to carry it away, 

 but the owner of the fire strikes him, so that it falls out Ne 5. 



No'aqaua wishes Masmasala'nix to get the fire; he is unable to do so, but sends 

 Ermine, who takes the fire in his mouth; he is asked where he wants to go, and can 

 not answer; therefore the owner strikes his face, and the fire falls down Ri 5. 



In most versions Deer succeeds in getting the fire, sometimes after 

 the attempts of other animals have been frustrated. 



Giant kills a deer, skins it, ties pitch wood to its long tail, borrows the Shark canoe, 

 the crew of which are Crows and Sea Gulls. He goes to the chief's house. Winn the 

 people sing, he dances around the fire, puts his tail into the fire, and runs out. His 

 companions fly out. At the same time the Shark canoe leaves, and the people are 

 unable to catch him. He strikes the trees with his tail: therefore wood bums, and Deer 

 has a short black tail Ts. 



Raven skins a deer, puts on its skin, and fastens pitch wood to the tail. He goes 

 to the owner of the fire, dances around it until the tail begins to burn. When run- 

 ning away, he strikes the butts of the trees, therefore the trees burn Na 31. 



The Owl Q!6k' lives west of the ocean and owns the fire. Raven sends the animals 

 to get it. Finally he ties pitch wood to the tail of the deer, who dances around the 

 fire, puts the- tail into it, and runs away. The deer's tail is burned, and/or this reason 

 the deer has a short tail Tl 5.314. 



Since he can not get fire, he borrows a deer skin of a person who has bought one, 

 ties pitch wood to it, dances around the fire, and carries it off. Then he puts on his 

 own skin and flies off, carrying the fire. There/ore the deer has a short tail, and the 

 raven's beak is burnt Sk/. 



No'aqaua shaves the legs of Deer in order to make him fast. He ties pitch 

 wood to Deer's tail. Deer dances around the fire and carries away the fire. He puts 

 the fire into the trees there. They burn Ri MS. 



Sea Otter is carrying the fire on his tail. Deer enters Sea Otter's house wearing 

 his dancjng-hat. He puts it into the fire and runs away K 9. 



Deer puts pitch wood in his hair, ties two canoes together, and approaches the house 

 of the owner of fire, dancing and singing. The owner's daughter asks that he be 

 invited. He jumps through the snapping door of the house, lets his head sink down 

 over the fire, the pitch wood catches fire, and he runs away Co 5. 



Chief Woodpecker sends Deer to the Wolves' house to dance, tells him to tie cedar 

 bark to his tail. The animals sing, and Deer puts his tail into the fire. The Wolves, 

 however, catch him and take it away. Then Chief Woodpecker sends the bird 

 Tsatsi'skums. The animals sing and dance; some unknown to the Wolves, who look 

 at the dancers, climb the rafters. They take the fire-drill, which is hidden on the 

 rafters, give it to Woodpecker and Kwc/tiath, who carry it away. Then the animals 

 give a shout and run away. At home Kwo'tiath produces fire, and burns a hole in 

 his cheek Nu 5. 



According to another version, a chief of the Tokoa'ath owns fire and life. Chief 

 Woodpecker sends Deer, who has cedar bark tied around the calf of his leg. He 

 stands next to Otter, who sets fire to the cedar bark. When he runs away, the owners 

 take the fire back. Then the Bear jumps on the rafter, breaks it, and finds the box 

 containing life inside. It is taken back. The people move away, and for that reason 

 there is death in this world Nu 5. 



The floor of the house is set with sharp spikes. Cedar bark is tied to Deer's elbows. 

 His feet are rubbed with stones. He jumps out of the smoke hole and escapes. 

 Then follows the Magic Flight or Obstacle myth. Deer gives the fire to Periwinkle, 

 who holds it in his mouth. Then follows a curious remark, stating that an eagle on a 

 pole in front of the house cries whenever the fire-drill of the Wolves is turned Nu ap 



