Tlingit myths and texts / recorded by John R. Swanton.

  • John R. Swanton
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Tlingit myths and texts / recorded by John R. Swanton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    I BULL. .S9 female bear, after winch he went around the j>oint and did the same thing to the male. While he was busy there Cormorant came near him, but he said, “Keep away, you small Cormorant,’’ and struck hiin on the buttocks with his hand saying, “Go out and stay on those rocks. Kver since then the cormorants have been there. Kaven stayed in that place until he had consumed both of the bears Starting on again. Haven came to a jilace where many people were encamped fishing. They used nothing but fat for bait. He entered a^ house and asked wdiut they used for bait. They said “Fat” Then he said, “Let me see you put enough on your hooks for bait,” and he noticed carefully how they baited and handled their hooks The next time they went out, he walked off behind a point and went undei water to get this bait. Now they got bites and pulled up quickly, but there w'as nothing on their hooks. This continued for a long time. The next time they w^ent out they felt the thing again, but one man among them who knew^ just how' fish bite, jerked at the right moment and felt that he had caught something. The line went around in the w'ater verj' fast. They pulled away, however, until they got Raven under the canoe, and he kicked against it verj hard. All at once his nose came off, and they pulled it up. When they landed, they took it to the chief’s house and said, “TVe have caught a wonderful thing. It must be the nose of the GonaqAde't.” So they took it, put eagle down on it, and hung it up on the wall. After that. Raven came ashore at the place where he had been in the habit of going down, got a lot of spruce gum and made a new nose out of it. Then he drew' a root hat dowTi over his face and went to the tow'n. Beginning at the nearer end he w'ent tlirough the houses saying “I wonder in what house are the jieople w'ho caught that GonaqAdept’s nose.” After he had gone halfw'ay, he entered the chief’s house and inquired, “Do you know where are the people who caught that GonaqAde't’s nose ?” Tliey answered, “There it is on the wall.” Then he said, “ Bring it here. Let me examine it.” So they gave it to him. “This is great,” he said, and he put up his hat to examine it. “Why,” said he, “this house is dark. You ought to take off the smoke-hole cover. Let some one run up and take it off so that I can see.” But, as soon as they removed it, he put the nose in its place, crieil “Ga,” and flew' aw'ay. They did not find out who he was. Going thence, Raven saw a number of deer walking around on the beach, wdth a great deal of fat hanging out through their noses. As he passed one of these, he said, “Brother, you better blow' your nose. Lots of dirt is hanging out of it.” When the deer w'ould not do this. Raven came close to him, wi])ed Ids nose and threw' the fat by his own side. Calling out, “Just for the Raven,” he swallow'ed it. *
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