710 TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY [bth. ann. 31 



son in the fog, and later on does not recognize him because he has 

 short hair. This story may, however, refer to the idea that his son 

 cut his hair because he believed his father to be dead Co 5.78. 



(42) RAVEN DESERTS MASTER FISHERMAN ON A LONELY ISLAND 



(fi versions: Kai 8.234; M6 301; Ska 130; Ska 113 [Masset]; Skd L30; Ilai 5.309) 



Raven covets the wife of Master Fisherman. He catches a flicker (erroneously 

 called robin) and wears the skin attached to his clothing. Master Fisherman asks 

 Raven where he has obtained the flicker, and Raven tells him that by attaching the 

 feathers to his hook he will be successful in fishing. Raven tells him that there are 

 plenty of flickers on his island. Raven is invited in, and eats all the provisions of 

 Master Fisherman. On the following morning the latter accompanies Raven to the 

 bird island. When they land, Raven goes ashore and transforms some twigs into 

 flickers. These he carries down to the canoe. Master Fisherman goes ashore, arid 

 Raven stays in the stern of the canoe. He wishes the wind to blow it away, and the 

 canoe drifts off. He pretends not to hear the calls of the deserted man. . When he 

 arrives at the house of the latter, he sits down at the place where Master Fisherman's 

 wife draws water. He has assumed the form of her husband, and tells her that Raven 

 had deserted him. He asks her for halibut and fish oil, which he eats. Master Fish- 

 erman calls his magic fish club, which he has left at home. It comes and carries 

 him back. Then he conceals himself near the water; and when his wife comes to 

 draw water, he tells her what has happened. He orders her to dose all the chinks 

 and openings of the house. He enters, and kills Raven with his club. Then he 

 throws the body into the latrine under the platform. On the following morning, 

 when his wife goes out, Raven makes fun of her, saying, ''Your privates are red." 

 The man clubs him again, throws him into the branches of a tree, and smokes him. 

 Still he remains alive. He clubs him again and throws him on the beach. He 

 drifts away, and is rescued by his relatives Hai 5. 



In the Kaigani version it is only said that Raven displeases the 

 people, is killed, and that his body is thrown out into the latrine 

 under the platform. Then he makes fun of the house owner's wife, 

 poking her from underneath. The man cuts him to pieces and throws 

 the pieces into the sea. 



In the Masset version the man is called Wood-Shaving Supernatural 

 Being. 



Raven visits him, shows him flicker feathers, and tells him that these are found on a 

 small island near by. They go there together, and Raven sends the man to the other 

 side of the island. As soon as he is out of sight, Raven pushes the canoe out, lies 

 down, and pretends to be asleep. Raven pays no attention to his calls. He marries 

 the wife of Wood-Shaving Supernatural Being and makes himself look like her 

 husband . 



The end of the story is evidently omitted. It is merely stated 

 that finally he ran away from the woman and "got" her husband. 



The first Skidegate version as recorded by Swanton has been told 

 by two different informants. 



He finds a flicker feather floating near the shore and transforms it into a flicker. 

 When he reaches Master Fisherman's house, Raven gives him the flicker and tells 

 him that flirUers are found on Raven's island. Master Fisherman then baits a halibut 



