FKACHTENBERG] ALSEA TEXTS AND MYTHS 219 



close to the water with (their) canoes (in readmess). Thus we stayed. 

 Even the trees (that) lay in the water caught fire. Thus we did it. 

 Nobody (from here) burned; everybody is well. There were two 

 medicine men who were just dancing every night. For that reason 

 those two medicine men were dancing, because they two wanted to 

 find out (what happened) all over the world, (especially) whence the 

 fire originated. Thus we acted." Thus they two were told by a 

 number (of people) . 



Then it kept on clearing off far away, and the fire disappeared 

 again. For probably ten days darkness prevailed all over. Then 

 they two were going to return the next day. No matter how large a 

 place was, nevertheless that place burned down (entirely) ; the moun- 

 tains caught fire everywhere. Then they two went back. Then they 

 arrived again at where they two were living. And (only) two people 

 stayed (there). All (the other) people stayed near the ocean. ''We 

 two have come here to have a look (at our home). Nobody was 

 burned; all the people are well. Nature (seems to have been) doing 

 its worst thmg. Never (before) did nature act like that." Then they 

 started from there and kept on going back (to the place where we 

 stayed). Then (after a long walk) they said, "We will camp here." 

 All sorts of things were seen close to the water partly burned, but 

 walking around. Then they camped there (at) Tsla^'m. Then, as 

 soon as daylight appeared agam, they started from there. They had 

 very (heavy) packs. Then they kept on going back. "We will camp 

 at Yahach." Then, verily (after) the sun set they camped there, at 

 Yahach. And when daylight appeared they started out. Then they 

 kejDt on going along the previously mentioned beach. And (it was) 

 not long before they came back to the Alsea River. Then all settled 

 down at the mouth of the river after they came back (there). 



And now it comes to an end. 



20. The Death of U. S. Grant, an Alsea Indian 



Now (one day) after I had come back here from Rock Creek, Grant 

 had, verily, disappeared;' he had gone to Toledo. "He may come back 

 in the evenmg," thus the agent told me. "Thou shalt come again 

 to-morrow." Then I went home. 



