Lower Umpqua texts ; and, Notes on the Kusan dialects / by Leo J. Frachtenberg.

  • Leo J. Frachtenberg
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Lower Umpqua texts ; and, Notes on the Kusan dialects / by Leo J. Frachtenberg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    4^ MISCKLLANKOUS TALKS. 8. PpxiCAN AND THE Ska-Gull (Lowev Umpqua). Pelican does not live in rivers. He always travels (around) the ocean and gets food there. Then (one day) Sea-Gull said to him, “Why is it that you are an in- habitant of the sea [offshore] ? Why is it that you do not enter frequently into rivers ?” Fhen he answered thus: “Such a region (the river) is not good for me. The ocean contains lots of food.” Thus only he said. “If you want food, then come to me.” Thus he said to Sea-Gull. “The shore does not contain lots of food. (Only he) who knows the shore knows (how to obtain food).” 'Phus he said to Sea-Gull. Thus (it came about that) Sea-Gull began to live in the ocean. Some time afterwards, (when Sea-CAill became) hungry, she said to Pelican, “It is very good that there is much food in the ocean. I know (from my own ex- perience, that, if a) person lives in a creek, he is very hungry, because there is not much food in a creek.” (So Pelican said,) “If you live in the ocean, and you come to me desiring fish, I shall always give it to you. Not even (once in) a long time do I feel hungry. Living in the ocean, I do not feel hungry.” Thus Pelican said to Sea-Gull. And then Sea-Gull did thus. (Thereafter) she always lived in the ocean and ate mussels. Whenever anything died in the ocean, she would devour it after it had come ashore. Even though it would be something