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.

    73/172 (page 65)
    ^5 'Fhcn at last that very lar^e seal came near. And one man said, “Spear now that very large one!” Then it was speared, speared well. So those two men went back into the canoe, and began to paddle in the direction of where that seal was going. The seal did not go far, when at last the man who (always) throws [hooks] the spear stood up. He had been throwing sj^ears for a long time. But that seal did not come out at all (from the water). When he did float up, it was just for a little while, and then that spear would be thrown. Then a rope was seized; and he took (hold of) it, he who (always) held it. And that man was still standing. Wdth a spear (in his hand), that man stood. He (was going to) spear (the seal). He did not entirely kill that seal. The sun (went down) west, (and. still) the seal did not come up. Thus (one man) kept on saying, “I wonder what (makes) that seal act so !” Thus he kept on saying. The weather began to get rough, and not for a moment was it known where that seal (was going to) go. It did not come up at all (to breathe). It had grown dark long ago. Then thus said the sort of chief of that canoe: “I wonder where (the seal) will go! (But, no matter!) he will never be given up.” Then thus the people^ began to talk to one another: “It is not well. (The seal) may intend to dive far out.” Thus people began to talk to one another. It got dark, (and the seal still did) not come up. “What shall be doner” Thus the chief kept on saying. “ I wonder where he will go ! (Still) the water is not rough.” The seal was being dragged along (on the rope) •, and, although it was dark, they kept on going. Then one man said thus: “Suppose he be given up !” And the supposed chief of that boat with the original Alsea version. From now on he relates the story as if there were more than two seal-hunters. 5—COL. UNIV. CONTRIR. ANTHROP.