FRACHTENBERG] ALSEA TEXTS AND MYTHS 63 



far. So first the Rabbit was sent. He began to run, indeed, but 

 sat down suddenly and kept on looking straiglit (aliead). So neces- 

 sarily little old man Raccoon was sent again. Now he began to 

 run, indeed. He was not running very long when he turned off 

 toward the water and simply began to feel around with his hands 

 along the edge of the sea. So this time Deer was sent. He, indeed, 

 was willing (to go) and began to run. But he merely jmnped (a 

 little ways) and stopped there. Then he started out again but (did) 

 the same (thing) as before. And at the fifth time he gave up entirely. 

 Then next time the Robin was sent. He, verily, agreed (to go) and 

 began to run. He was not running very long when he suddenly 

 stopped. He just looked straight (ahead) and began to eat for a 

 while. Then he started off again but did the same (thing) as before. 

 Then finally after the fifth (^.ttempt) he merely gave up entirely. 

 Then this time the Mink was sent. He, indeed, was willing (to go) 

 and began to run, (but) he was running slowly. (And) he was not 

 i;iinning very long, when he jumped into the water and began to 

 swim. Nor was he swimming very long when he went back ashore. 

 He sac down after he came ashore. He was-not sitting long when he 

 started out again. He was running slowly. He was not runnmg 

 slowly very long when he jumped into the water as before. He 

 began to swim but floated back right away (to the bank). Then 

 again he swam slowly as before. He did not swim long when he 

 came ashore again and sat down. At the fourth attempt the same 

 thing was done as before. Finally, after the fifth attempt, he 

 entered where there was a hole. And then he merely (disappeared). 

 He did not come out again after he had gone into (that hole) . 



Then at last once more it was done — Weasel was sent. He was 

 about to start and asked, ''What shall I be telling that Little Old 

 Man after I shall come to him?'' — ''Now when you come to him 

 thou shalt teU him constantly: 'Grizzly Bear was (permitted to) 

 escape.' Go thou quickly, thou wilt tell him, 'Thou shalt invite the 

 cold weather, so that he can not come ashore, if he should come to 

 thee.'" Now, indeed, he started off. Tliat was all. As he ran he 

 did not rest anjrwhere. 



Then after he came to (Wren) he told him, "The one who was 

 destined to be killed was (permitted to) escape." Then (Wren) 

 asked him, "What doest thou want now?" — "Well, I am coming to 

 see thee. I am carrying a message for thee." — "All right, what am 

 I to do?"— "Well, thou art being told (thus), 'Thou art to call for 

 the cold weather.'" Then, indeed, he did it; he invited the cold 



