SWANTON] TLINGTT MYTHS AND TEXTS 227 



them like human beings, and how numerous they were. He also 

 tokl them what a dreadful thing it is to be out at sea without know- 

 ing where one is or which way to go home, that it is like being in the 

 inside of a bucket. When it was cloudy they did not know where 

 the sun rose or set. He saitl that that was a valuable rock out there, 

 and that wherever one looked or stepped lay sea-lion bristles. He 

 also told the peojile how much surprised they were at having fine 

 weather out at sea and at having it become stormy as soon as they got 

 to the village. He told how they camped in their canoe, how they 

 fixed it for the night, and everything else connectetl with their jour- 

 ney. He said that he dreamed all the time of being with his people, 

 and that he used to wake up and tell his brothers that his old wife 

 and all of his children were well. He always had had bad dreams 

 about the younger wife, however, probably because she was mar- 

 ried again. He had also composed a song about his dreams, which 

 he sang to them. In this song he said, ''Here I am lost and yet I 

 dream I am at home with my people. I have no hope of seeing them, 

 and yet I see them in my dreams." 



When he heard that the people had had a feast for him, he said, 

 "Which of you gave a feast for me?" Then they pointed to a cer- 

 tain man and answered, "There is the principal one who gave a feast 

 for you." They pointed to others and said, "That one gave so much 

 for you and that one so much." He gave all of them valuable skins 

 for what they had done. 



68. THE BEAVER OF KH.LISNOO 



Some people belonging to the De'citan family captured a small 

 beaver, and, as it was cunning and very clean, they kept it as a pet. 

 By and by, however, although it was well cared for, it took offense 

 at something and began to compose songs. Afterward one of the 

 beaver's masters went through the woods to a certain salmon creek 

 and found two salmon-spear handles, beautifully worked, standing at 

 the foot of a big tree. He carried these home, and, as soon as they 

 were brought into the house, the beaver said, "That is my make." 

 Then something was said that offended it again. Upon this the bea- 

 ver began to sing just like a human being and surprised the people 

 very much. While it was doing this it seized a spear and threw it 

 straight through its master's chest, killing him instantly. Then it 

 threw its tail downi upon the ground and the earth on which that 

 house stood dropped in. They found out afterM'-ard that the beaver 

 had been digging out the earth under the camp so as to make a great 

 hollow. It is from this story that the De'citan claim the beaver 

 and have the beaver hat. The}^ also have songs composed by the 

 beaver. 



