SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS 

 21, The Monster-Girl of the Woods 



(This happened) long ago. When in the early days the people 

 lived, they always knew her (correct) name. She was held in fear 

 (very) much because she always carried off people. And it was for 

 that reason that she was feared very (much). She always lived in 

 the woods. The children never went anywhere far alone, because it 

 was known that she always carried off children. So for that reason 

 she was watched everywhere carefully, because she obtained (by force) 

 all the children everywhere. And for that reason children were 

 usually not left (alone) in the house, because she always obtained 

 (by force) children only. 



Now since it was known (to be bad luck), the red huckleberries 

 were not usually eaten. Whenever they were eaten (by a person) a 

 very great deal, the reason of that person would probably disappear 

 and he would probably attempt to go into the woods. (Therefore 

 they were not eaten) because it was known that she was the one who 

 created the red huckleberries. And now likewise the Oregon fern, 

 whenever it was plucked (by a person) at night, the reason of that 

 person would almost disappear, because (this was) the grass of 

 A'sin. And for that reason (one) did not pluck Oregon fern at 

 night, because it was known that if it were plucked at night (by a 

 person) the reason of that person would invariably disappear. I 

 always pay attention to all (beliefs) which the people usually thought 

 of in their mmds. For that reason she was feared very (much) long 

 ago, because thus she said when she caused the world to grow: "If 

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