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.

    55/172 (page 47)
    bad, still she would eat it. Such was the custom of Sea- (lull. Pelican was Sea-CnilPs own relative. Then ’ at last Sea-Gull began to believe Pelican (when he said), “If you live near me, you will never get hungi*)'. Although many people (live in the ocean), still they (all) eat there.” In s])ite (of the fact that there were) many people, nevertheless Pelican killed [obtained foodj. He dipped out for (Sea-Gnill) lots of small fish on every place. (Once) they two came together, and Sea-Gull said to (Pelican) thus: “Never will I go back again to the creek.” Thus said that Sea-Gull to Pelican. “I will give you a mountain near the ocean, there you will raise children.” Thus said Pelican to Sea-Gull. “In the summer-time it Is simply easy (to obtain) food in the ocean. Although there are many people, still they (all) eat (through the efforts made) by me. I obtain lots of food.” Thus said Pelican to Sea-Gull. That is why Sea-Gull lives near the ocean, (because Pelican told her,) “You shall keep on living near the breakers.” Thus she lives. During low tide she walks around near the water. Thus thev two live. Everywhere sea-gulls keep on living thus. Then thus (Sea-Gull) thought: “Well, he told it to me.” And that Is whv Sea-Gull came to live near the ocean. Idiere, near the shore, she always tries to look for food. Then Pelican said thus: “They told me that you must stay here always.” And Sea-Gull replied thus: “Nobody said any- thing to me, so how am I to know (that It is for) always?” Idius said Sea-Gull. “Somebody (must have) told you something (else), that Is why you do not always agree. You will stay there forever. Whenever you want fish, you will always come to me. I can get lots of food.” Thus spoke Pelican. Then Sea-Gull said thus: “I doubt whether subject-matter. I thought it best not to interfere too much with his manner of narrating a story, but to take it down exactly as it was told.