BOAS] HANDBOOK OF INDIAN LANGUAGES — SIUSLAWAN 629 



[Translation] 



(When in former days the) ground was covered with ice, much 

 snow (lay) on the ground, and it became very cold, then the people 

 had no way of drinking (water freely). From one well only could 

 they drink, and all people drank from it. Although manj'^ were the 

 people, still they all drank there. (And when) ice began to appear 

 on the water (of the rivers), then all inhabitants could not go any- 

 where. They were forced to go along the surface of the ice. Then 

 (at such times there would always be some) old man who knew that 

 (ancient) custom of the people of long ago. (He would then tell it to 

 his people.) And Raccoon would be invoked, and Coyote likewise 

 would be invoked. He would be called b}^ name, "Raccoon, Raccoon, 

 cause thy rain (to flow) ! Speak to Coyote ! Cause ye two 3'our rain (to 

 flow)! We are in straits, we are very cold." Then (once more Rac- 

 coon) would be invoked, "Raccoon, Raccoon, cause thy rain (to flow)! 

 (You and) Coyote cause ye your (dual) rain (to flow)!" Then at last it 

 would rain. All people believed in (the efiicacy of this f ornmla). For 

 that reason they two would be invoked, (until) it would commence to 

 rain. Thus people were shouting whenever (ice) closed up the rivers. 



Now there it ends. It is the flnish. (Thus) I know it. 



