FRACHTENBERG] ALSEA TEXTS AND MYTHS 75 



is low he habitually walks back and forth along the river, spearing 

 many small fish, because he was doing this at that time. Then 

 vainly all sorts (of canoes) were launched because each was full 

 of holes inside. However (it was) not long when at last day- 

 light spread all over. Then low tide set in, and the people went 

 across in a body. Then his trail was found, whereupon he was pur- 

 sued. And not long (afterward) he was espied far away, where- 

 upon Coyote said, "Get close to him quickly, lest he get (too) far 

 away." He was already being overtaken when he looked (back). 

 But he did not start to run (away); he just kept on going slowly. 

 Then when (the pursuers)- came nearer to him he threw first the 

 ashes (behind him), but it did not get foggy very (much). So again 

 he threw the red paint (behind him), whereupon it got foggy a little 

 more, but (still daylight) showed a little far off. Then again he threw 

 the charcoal (behind him). Now it got darker stOl all over. Then 

 all his pursuers merely became lost. From all sides the wailing went 

 up repeatedly. For that reason the Snipes act thus; whenever it 

 gets foggy, (they) usually begin shouting above from everywhere. 

 Then after this was finished he went (home). And when he arrived 

 home he began to make his son (well). Then after he got through 

 (with) him they two staid in the house for a little while. 



Then one day S^u'ku said to his two cousins, ''We are going to 

 separate now." ' Then not long (afterward one of) his cousin said 

 to (Bear), "Which of us two (is going to be more) valuable?" — 

 "Well," (said S^u'ku) "you two submerge yourselves into the water, 

 and whichever will' stay under the water longer he will habitually be 

 first." Then they two, indeed, submerged themselves. And when 

 half a day (was gone) the breath of the Bear gave out entirely, and 

 he floated up again, whereupon he went back to the shore. But 

 now Beaver stayed under water for a long time; he did not move 

 (even) a little. Then not long (afterward) Bear submerged him- 

 self once more. But when the sun was (about to) set his breath 

 gave out again. Then he floated up again. But the Beaver lay (in 

 the water) for a long time. Then (it was) not long before he began 

 to crawl under the water and not long (afterward) he came to where 

 there was a hole (in) the ground, whereupon he went in there. Then 

 when night was about to fall many people came to see them two; 



