Nänabushu and the Wolves (1)
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Ningoding ayindaawag wiigiwaaming Nenaboozhoo oosan, Gwesind, wiiwan gaye niizh oskinaweg gaye, Nenaboozhoo miinawaa dash Baaninii.
Moozhag nandawenjigewag, awesiiyan nisaawaad; mitigwaabiin odaabaji’aawaan bimwaawaad awesiian – binewan, zhiishiiban, nikan, anooji gego onitoonaawaa. Ginwenzh gii-daawag imaa. Gegapii Nenaboozhoo odinaan oosan: “Noose, ninga-maajaa.” “Aandi waa-izhaayan?” “Niwii-babaamaadis.” “Booshke giin maajaan.” Nenaboozhoo gaa-izhi-maajaad; miziwe gii-izhaa, omitigwaabiin odayaawaan. Onooji gegoo [wa] nitoon maajid. Ningoding idash wiigiwaam owaabandaan, mii dash odoo-daapinaan obikwak omadwe’aan ishkwaandem. Madwe-giigido ikwe: “Biindigen!” ikido. Gaa-izhi-piindiged Nenaboozhoo, owaabamaan ikwewan niizh gaye abinoojiiya’. Ikwe ogii-odaapinaan mitig; ikwe obakitewaan okaading memeshkod. “Gego, gego!” ikido Nenaboozhoo. “Ninga-awi-nandawenjige,” ikido Nenaboozhoo. Mii dash gaa-izhi-nisaad oniijaanisan bezhig, mii dash gaa-izhi-ozhitood goke’awan, giingoonh goke’awan, niibiwa gaye wiigob biiminakwaan, migiskanan gaye. Mii dash gii-ozhitood obimiwanaan. “Gichi-gichi-gamiing ninga-bagidaabii. Nisagwa giingoonyag ninga-biinaag, ji-wiisiniwaad abinoonjiyag. Naanagonagak ninga-dagwishin.” Mii dash gii-maajaad. Nitam idash dibikadinig gii-gabeshi; gii-nibaa. Wayaabaninig idash gii-ani-maajaa; gwayak giiwedinong izhaa. Gikizheb, jibwaa-naawakweg, gii-madaabii zaaga’igan. Ogii-waabamaan niswi ma’iingana’ bimipatoonid; oganawaabamaan. Oo, biibaagi Nenaboozhoo: “E, bekaa, niijii! Bii’ishiyok!” Ma’inganag ganoonidiwag: “Aa, mii awe Nenaboozhoo!” Bezhig akiwenzii ma’iingan, niizh ogwisan ma’inganag. “Gego, gego ganoonaakegon. Maajaag, maajaag!” Aah, gichi-pimipatoo Nenaboozhoo! Miinawa biibaagi: “Bekaa, bekaa, niijii! Bii’ishin akawe, giwii-kanoonin!” Gegapii gii-kibijigaabawi. E Nenaboozhoo gii-dagwishin imaa. Aah, boozhoo, boozhoo, niijii!” Gaye odoozhima’ Nenaboozhoo ogagwejimaan: “Aandi e-zhaayeg?” “Oh, waasa waabanong.” “Aaniin ezhinikaadeg?” “Giizhikidigwanishing.” “We!” Nenaboozhoo ikido, “mii iwe gaye niin izhaayaan.” Ma’iingan ogagwejimaan Nenaboozhoo: “Wegonen gaa-bimoondaman?” “Nim-biinjigosaan gaa-bimoondamaan.” Aa, Nenaboozhoo ikido: “Giga-wiijiiwininim. Wegonen nendawaabandameg? Gaye niin mii iwidi ezhaayaan.” “Niibinong gii-kii’osewag gidoozhimag; niibiwa awesiiyan ogii-nisaawaan; mii dash niibiwa wiiyaas baateg bimide gaye mii dash gii-asanjigowaad; mii wendazhi-izhaayang. Miinawaa dash, wii-kii’osewag gidoozhimag.” Mii i’iw ekidod a’aw akiwenzii-ma’iingan. “We,” Nenaboozhoo ikido, “Giga-wiijiwiininim.” “Aa, gaawiin!” ikido akiwenzii-ma’iingan. “Gaawiin gidaa-dibi’aasig gidoozhimag.” “Aah, maanoo! Ninga-bimibatoo gaye niin.” “Aaniish, booshke giin.” Ezhi-maajaawaad ma’iinganag bimibatoowaad. Eni-kopiiwaad odoo-daapinaan obimiwanaan ogii-apagidoon mitigoong. “Bikwaandag da-izhinikaade ji-ani-akiiwang.” Mii dash gii-maajaawaad. Moozhag bimibatoowag ma’iinganag, Nenaboozhoo gaye wiin gichi-pimipatoo. Miinawaa bizhishig [?] zaaga’igan omadaabiinaawaa; gwayak naawakwam gii-izhaawag. Anishinaabeg i’imaa daawag, owaabamaawaan ma’iingana’. “Hehii, naske ma’iinganag bemipatoowaad! Niiwiwag, niiwin!” Nenaboozhoo gaye owe doodam onikan owe babimipatood. Miinawaa biibaagi anishinaabe; “Aaniin izhinaagozid bezhig ma’iingan? Gaawiin gegoo ozowaasii!” Aa, baapiwag anishinaabeg! “Shkaa mii iidog Nenaboozhoo!” Gwayak gii-maajaawag. Aa, aazha ayekozi Nenaboozhoo! Apii dash wenaagoshig gii-kabeshiwag. Aapiji ezhi-kisinaag jiigibiig zaaga’iganing mii imaa gii-kabeshiwaad. Gaawiin gego ishkode. Bangii gii-moona’igewag goonikaang, mii imaa gii-kawishimowaad. Gaye wiin Nenaboozhoo bangii gii-moona’ige goonikaang, mii maa gii-kawishimod. Aapiji ayekozi, aapiji gaye gii-abwezo, gii-kichi-bimipatood. Gaawiin ogashkitoosiin ji-nibaad; zhayiigwa giikaji, gichi-giikaji. Akiwenzii-ma’iingan oganoonaan ogwisan. “Daga, awi bezhig gi-konaas.” Ma’iinganens inaanowe bagizo Nenaboozhoo nibaanid. Aa! Nenaboozhoo aapiji giizhoozi. Mii dash gii-nibaad. Mii dash goshkozid aapij abwezo. Mii dash e-kidod, ningoji odapagidoon ma’iingan ozow: “Diwe! geget gichi-abweskaagoon animwaano.” Miinawaa gii-nibaa Nenaboozhoo. Miinawaa goshkozi, aapiji miinawaa giikaji, A’aw ma’iinganens i’imaa nibaa. Mii dash miinawaa Nenaboozhoo owiikobidoon ma’ingan-ozow wii-agwazhed. A’aw ma’inganens idash ningoji gii-inaanowe bagizo. „Noongom gosha animwaano gididaan.” Aa! Mii dash miinawaa gii-giikajid Nenaboozhoo. Bijiinag igo baadaabang, madwe-bazigwiiwag; madwe-babawiwag. Mii dash gii-madwe-maajaawaad, akiwenzii-ma’iingan giigido: “Ambe, Nenaboozhoo, onishkaan! Aazha gii-maajaawag gidoozhimag.” Oo, miinawaa gii-maajaa Nenaboozhoo maamawi. Miinawaa gii-kichi-bimipatoo Nenaboozhoo gabe-giizhig. Miinawaa dash wenaagoshig gii-ikido akiwenzii-ma’iingan, oganoonaan ogwisan: “Wiin nitam gi-mishoome’iwaa oga’onaabandaan aaniindi ji-gabeshiyang.” Mii dash oskinawe-ma’iingan: „Onaabandan aaniindi ji-gabeshiyang.” Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gii-onaabandang aapiji dibinawaanig, aapiji zhingobikaang. “Mii sa omaa ji-gabeshiyang.” Mii imaa gii-nibaawaad. Ayaabitaa-dibikak gii-madwe-onishkaawag oshkinaweg ma’iinganag, giikajiwag. Gii-madwe-maajaawag. Gigizheb idash giigido akiwenzii-ma’iingan: „Ambe, Nenaboozhoo! aazha gii-naganigoomin. Aazha waasa ayaadogenag gidoozhimag.” Mii dash gii-maajaawaad akiwenziiyag. Ogii-mikawaawaan jiigibiig zaaga’iganing ezhi-kisinaag dinong. Mii dash miinawaa gii-ani-maajaawaad maamawi. Aa! gichi-pimipatoo Nenaboozhoo. Naaningodinong waasa naganaa, obaabii’igoon dash igo wiijikiwenyan. “Gizhiikaan, gizhiikaan Nenaboozhoo!” Mii dash miinawaa wenaagoshig gii-kabeshiwaad. Mii dash e-kidod akiwenzii-ma’iingan. Oganoonaan Nenaboozhoon: ”Mii iw waabang ji-oditamang e-zhaayang.” Gigizheb gii-maajaawag maamawi. Aa! miinawaa bimipatoo Nenaboozhoo. Nayaawakweg, gii-madaabiiwag bezhig zaaga’igan. Owaabamaawaan namadabinid mishawakwam. Giigido akiwenzii-ma’iingan: “Nashke, Nenaboozhoo! ganabaj mii sha’ajigewag gidoozhimag.” Mii dash gii-ani-odisaawaad i’imaa namadabinid. Akiwenzii-ma’iingan ani-daatagikweni, ominaamaan moozoon. Gaye wiin Nenaboozhoo mii endoodang. Oganoonigoon dash wiijikiweyan: “Gii-minaamaa na mooz?” “Eyen’,” ikido. “Aaniin endazhiwaad?” ikido akiwenzii-ma’iingan. “Nisiwag” ikido Nenaboozhoo, “bezhig noozhens niizh idash maanishensag.” “Gaawiin,” ikido akiwenzii-ma’iingan, “beshig gwa eta mooz.” Mii dash gii-maajiibatoowaad oshkinaweg, gaye wiinawaa akiwenzii-ma’iingan Nenaboozhoo gaye, niigaan wiinawaa oshkinaweg. Mii idash aazha gii-maajaad mooz, mii idash noopinanaawaad moozoon oshkinaweg. Odinaan dash Nenaboozhoon ma’iingan: “Ani-inaabin weweni.” Ningoding igo owaabandaanaawaa ma’iingan wiibid badakaakwisinig mitigong. Mii dash e-kidod akiwenzii-ma’iingan: “Daga odaapinan gidoozhim odasawaan.” Nenaboozhoo dash ikido: “Aaniin ge-doodamaan animwaabid?” Akiwenzii-ma’iingan dash owiikobidoon mii dash gaa-izhi-pabawinang asawaan, aapiji onizhishin asawaan. Wayaabandang idash Nenaboozhoo ikido: “Daga niin, ningad-ani-dakonaan nindoozhim odasawaan!” Akiwenzii idash ikido: “Noongom gosha animwaabid gididaan. Ani-maajaan igo!” Mii dash ani-maajaawaad. Miinawaa dash waabandaanaawaa ma’iingan gii-ani-miiziid. Mii dash e-kidod akiwenzii-ma’iingan: “Daga, Nenaboozhoo! Ani-dakonan gidoozhim omadadaasan.” Mii dash e-kidod Nenaboozhoo: “Aaniin ge-doodamaan animo-moo?” Mii dash akiwenzii ogii-odaapinang. Mii dash gii-pabawinang, mii dash madadaasan gaa-ondinaad. Apii dash Nenaboozhoo wayaabamaad madadaasan, ikido: “Niin daga, ningad-ani-dakonaan nindoozhim omadadaasan!” Mii dash e-kidod akiwenzii: “Noongom gosha animomoo gid-idaan. Ani-maajaan igo.” Ningoding igo giigido akiwenzii: “Aa, moozoon ogii-nisaawaan gidoozhimag.” Aapiji bakade Nenaboozhoo, ayekozi gaye. Mii dash waabamaad ma’iinagana’ zhingishininid, aapiji debisiniinid. Gaawiin gegoo owaabandaziin, gaawiin gaye moozoon owaabamaasiin. Mii eta miskwi goonikaang owaabandaan. Mii dash e-kidod akiwenzii-ma’iingan: ”Ozhitoodaa gabeshiwin!” Aa, Nenaboozhoo gitimi! Agaawaa dash owiiji’aan ma’iinganan gabeshinid gaa-kiizhitoowaad dash gabeshiwin, mii iw bi-bazigwiiwaad oshkinaweg ma’iinganag. Mii iw ezhi-bi-shigagowewaad oskinaweg; dibiskoo go noongom gii-pi-giishkizhigaadeg wiiyaas, mii ezhi-naagwak moozo-wiiyaas. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gichi-minwendang ji-wiisinid. Aah! mii dash jiibaakwewaad. Aah! Nenaboozhoo geget gichi-wiisini. Mii dash imaa gaa-daawaad, moozhag idash gii-kii’osewag oshkinaweg; niibiwa moozoon onisaawaan; gaye waawaashkeshiwan anooj gaye awesiinyan onisaawaan. Gaa wiikaa bakadesii Nenaboozhoo; moozhag wenizhishininig wiiyaas omiijim. Ningoding idash gii-osigane bezhig oshkinawe ma’iingan, mii dash bimide niibiwa gii-ozhitood. Mii dash geget Nenaboozhoo gii-minwendang niibiwa bimide waabandang. Miinawaa dash ningoding bezhig oshkinawe wii-osigane. Mii dash e-kidod: “Gaawiin awiya ninga-ganawaabamigosii, gawishimoyok.” Baanimaa go gaa-tibikadinig mii dash e-kidod akiwensii-ma’iingan: “Gego, Nenaboozhoo, ganawaabamaaken waa-osiganed.” Mii dash gii-kawishimowaad, mii dash eta awe oshkinawe ma’iingan nemadabid osiganed. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo giimooj ezhi-kanawaabamaad, mii dash waabamaad endoodaminid zhaashaagwandang okanan, mii dash bimide wenjijiwaninig odooning onaaganing idash odani-atoon. Megwaa dash ganawaabamaad Nenaboozhoo endoodaminid, mii ezhi-kotigwandang obikwaakoganan mii dash Nenaboozhoo oshkiinzhigong mayaa gii-bangisininig. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gii-aaoisigaagwad iwe okan. Akiwenzii dash ma’iingan odii baaboodaanaan Nenabozhoon, mii dash gii-bimaadizid. Mii dash e-naad: “Maagizhaa gigii-kanawaabamaa.” Mii dash e-kidod Nenaboozhoo: “Gaawiin ningii-kanawaabamaasii, onjida go nimbakite’og.” Mii dash miinawaa ningoding niibiwa e-yaawaad okanan, mii e-kidod akiwenzii-ma’iingan: “Daga naa, giinitam, Nenaboozhoo, osiganen.” Mii dash geget Nenaboozhoo e-kidod: “Ahaaw isa ninga-osigane.” Nenaboozhoo dash ogii-mikwendaan gaa-doodaagod, gegaa gii-nisigod. Mii dash e-kidod Nenaboozhoo: “Gawishimoyog. Gego awiya ninga-ganawaabamigosii. Badagwiingweshinog.” Mii dash geget gaa-toodamowaad. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo mamadawendang okanan, akiwenzii dash ma’iingan odo-onji-ganawaabamaan Nenaboozhoo endodaminid; mii dash Nenaboozhoo ezhi-odaapinang gichi-okan, mii dash ezhi-pakitewaad oshkinawe ma’iinganan, mii ezhi-nisaad. Mii dash ezhi-onishkaawaad gakina. Akiwenzii dash ikido: „Aaniish wiin bakitewad?” „Gaawiin nin-bakitewaasii,” ikido Nenaboozhoo. „Geget gi-pakitewaa, gigii-ganawaabamin gosha.” ”Gaawiin,” ikido Nenaboozhoo. „Ganabaj giimooj ningii-kanawaabamigoban, mii dash gii-kodigwandamaan iwe bigwaakogan.” „Geget gigii-pakitewaa gosha.” Mii dash akiwenzii-ma’iingan gii-baaboodaanaad ogwisan, mii dash gii-pimaaji’aad, gii-bimaadizinid ogwisan. Ningoding idash akiwenzii oganoonaan Nenaboozhoon: „Mii sa zhigwa ji-goziyang. Bezhig giga-miinin gidoozhim, mii aw gaye giin ge-wiijiiwad ji-nandawenjiged. Bezhig gaye ninga-wiijiiwaa. Giga-miinin ishkode.” Mii dash ezhi-poogidid akiwenzii. “Mii awe apis.” Miinawaa gii-poogidi. “Mii iwe gii-iman.” Miinawaa gii-poogidi. „Mii awe wiigwaas. (2) Baanimaa go, gii-kapeshiyan gii-atooyan misan, mii iw ged-izhi-paazhijigwaashkoniyan i’imaa misan ateg, mii iw ged-izhi-biskanesag ishkode. Gego wiin anishaa go goji-doodamoken.” |
Once on a time in a wigwam dwelt Nänabushu’s father Kwäsind, with his wife and two youths, Nänabushu and also Panini.
Often they went hunting, (and) game they killed; bow and arrows they used when they shot at the game-kind, - at ruffed grouse, ducks, geese, - and various kinds of them they killed. A long while they tarried there. At last Nänabushu said to his father: “O father! I am going away.” “Where do you expect to go?” “I want to go upon a journey.” “If it be your pleasure, then go on.” Nänabushu then started away; everywhere he went, his bow and arrows he took along. Of the various kinds (of game) he killed he ate. So once on a time a wigwam he saw, whereupon he took his arrow (and) with it was heard knocking on the door. The voice of a woman called: “Come in!” she said. After Nänabushu went in, he saw a woman and two children. The woman picked up a stick, the woman struck them on the leg; first one, then the other. “Don’t, don’t!” said Nänabushu. “I am going off on a hunt for game,” said Nänabushu. And so after she had slain one of her children, he then fixed up some bait, some fish-bait, and also a large amount of linden-bark twine, and some hooks. Thereupon he made up his pack. “In the sea I am going to lay a line of bone hooks. The fish I kill I will fetch home, that the children may eat. In five days I will return.” Thereupon he started away. The first time that night came on, there he stopped to camp; he slept. And then in the morning he started on; straight towards the region of the north wind he went. In the morning, before it was noon, he came out upon a lake. He saw three Wolves running along; he gazed at them. Oh, then out cried Nänabushu: “Hey, hold on, my friends! Wait for me!” The Wolves spoke one to another, saying: “Why, that is Nänabushu!” One was an old Wolf, and two (other) Wolves (were) his sons. “Don’t, don’t you speak to him! Keep on going, keep on going!” Oh, with what great speed then ran Nänabushu! Once more he cried aloud: “Hold on, hold on, my friends! Wait for me awhile, I wish to speak to you!” Finally (the old Wolf) stopped and stood. So Nänabushu arrived over there. “Well, halloo, halloo my friends!” And of his nephews Nänabushu inquired: “Where are you going?” „Oh, far away towards the dawn.” “What is the name of the place?” “Place of Cedar-Knots.” “Oh!” Nänabushu said, “that is the very place where I too am going.” The Wolf asked Nänabushu: “What are you carrying on your back?” “My bag (with personal belongings) is what I have on my back.” Why, Nänabushu said: „I will go along with you. What are you looking for? I too am bound for that place.” “Last summer on a hunt were your nephews; much game they killed, and a good deal of dry meat and grease was what they cached; that is what they are going there for. Furthermore, on another hunt your nephews wish to go.” Thus spoke the old Wolf. “Oh,” Nänabushu said, “I am going along with you.” “Oh, no!” said the old Wolf. “You cannot keep pace with your nephews.” “Ha, ha! never mind! I myself will run too.” “Very well, just as you please.” Then off started the Wolves running. As they went their way up from the shore, he picked up his pack and flung it upon a log “Pinus resinosa (red pine?) shall it be called till the end of the world.” Thereupon they started off. Always running were the Wolves, and Nänabushu himself ran with great speed. Out upon another lake they came, straight across the ice they made their way. Some people were abiding at the place; they saw the Wolves. “Halloo, see the Wolves that are running by! They are four, four (is their number)!” And Nänabushu was using his hand [arm] as he went running by. Again yelled the people: “Like what is the look of one of the Wolves? He is entirely with a tail!” Og, how the people laughed! “It must be Nänabushu!” Straight on they kept going. Oh, but how tired now was Nänabushu becoming! When it was evening, they made camp. Where it was exceedingly cold by the shore of a lake was the place where they camped. There was no fire. A shallow place in the snow they dug, and that was where they lay down to sleep. Likewise Nänabushu dug a shallow place in the snow, and there he lay down to sleep. Very tired he was, and very much was he sweating, for hard had he been running. He was not able to sleep; now was he becoming chilled, ever so cold was he. The old Wolf spoke to his little son saying: “I say, lend him one of your blankets.” The little Wolf threw his tail over where Nänabushu lay asleep. Ah! but Nänabushu then became exceedingly warm. Upon that he went to sleep. And when he awoke, he was in a very heavy sweat. Whereupon he said, as he flung aside the wold-tail: “Good gracious! certainly a great producer of sweat is the dog tail.” Once more to sleep went Nänabushu. Again he awoke, so very cold was he again. The little Wolf over there was asleep. Thereupon once more Nänabushu pulled on the wolf-tail to cover (himself). The Little Wolf then drew away his tail. “It was but a moment ago that you called it a dog-tail.” Ah! there once more Nänabushu became cold. And as soon as the dawn was appearing, then began the sound of them getting up; they could be Heard shaking themselves. And while they could be heard starting away, the old Wolf said: “Come, Nänabushu, get up (from bed)! Already have your nephews started away.” Well, once more started Nänabushu, together with them. Again with great speed ran Nānabushu all the day long. And on the next evening said the old Wolf, he spoke to his sons, saying: “It is your uncle’s turn to look for a place where we shall camp.” Thereupon the young Wolf (said): “Go look for a place where we are to camp.” And so Nänabushu went to find a place where it was very calm, where there was a very dense growth of balsam-trees. “Therefore here is a place where we will camp.” Then there was where they slept. In the middle of the night there arouse a sound of the young Wolves getting up, for they were cold. They could be heard starting away. And in the morning up spoke the old Wolf: “Come, Nänabushu! we have now been left behind. Now far away must be your nephews.” Whereupon then off started the elders. They found the others at the shore of a lake in a cold part of the place. And then once more they started on their way all together. Ah! with great speed went running Nänabushu. Sometimes afar he was left behind, and so continually was he waited for by his companions. “Walk fast, walk fast, Nänabushu!” Thereupon on the next evening they went into camp. And then spoke the old Wolf. He addressed Nänabushu, saying: “Now, to-morrow is when we shall arrive at the place whither we are bound.” In the morning they set out together. Ah! once more on the run started Nänabushu. When it was noon, they came out upon a lake. They beheld some one seated far out on the ice. Up spoke the old Wolf: “Look, Nänabushu! maybe your nephews have shot and hit something.” Thereupon they kept on till they reached the place where the being was sitting. The old Wolf had his head up, looking about, for he scented a moose. And Nänabushu himself did the same. So he was addressed by his companion saying: “Do you smell a moose?” “Yes,” he said. “How many are they?” said the old Wolf. “They are three,” said Nänabushu, - “one cow and two calves.” “No,” said the old Wolf, “there is but one moose.” Thereupon off running started the youths, likewise the old Wolf and Nänabushu too, ahead (went) the youths. In the mean time away had gone the moose, and so after the moose ran the youths. To Nänabushu then said the Wolf: “As you go, keep a careful look.” Once as (they were going along) they saw a wolf-tooth sticking from a tree. Whereupon said the old Wolf: “I say, take up your nephew’s pointed arrow!” And Nänabushu said: “What am I to do with a dog-tooth?” The old Wolf then pulled it out. And so, after he had shaken the pointed arrow, very nice was the arrow. When he saw it, then Nänabushu said: “I say, let me carry my nephew’s arrow as we go along!” The old man then said: “Only a moment ago you called it a dog-tooth. Do go on!” Whereupon they started on their way. And then on another occasion they saw where a wolf had eased himself as he went along. Thereupon said the old Wolf: “Come, Nänabushu! as you go along, pick up what your nephew has killed.” And then said Nänabushu: “What have I to do with dog-dung?” Thereupon the old (Wolf) picked it up. And then he shook it, whereupon the flesh of slain game he obtained from it. And when Nänabushu saw the flesh of slain game, he said: “I say, do let me carry along the game killed by my nephew!” Whereupon said the old man: “Only a moment ago you called it dog-dung. Keep on going.” Now, by and by, (as they went along), said the old (Wolf): “Ah! a moose have your nephews killed.” Very hungry was Nänabushu, and he was tired. And when he saw the Wolves as they were lying down, very full were they from eating. Nothing he saw, and no moose he saw. Only the blood on the snow he saw. Thereupon said the old Wolf: “Let us make a camp!” Oh, but Nänabushu was lazy! Much against his will he helped the Wolves make the camp. After they had finished the camp, then up rose all the young Wolves. Thereupon then vomited the youths; exactly like meat that has newly been cut up, such was the appearance of the moose-meat. Whereupon Nänabushu was greatly delighted with he thought of eating. Ha! and then they started cooking. Ha! but Nänabushu truly ate a great deal! Now, there in that place they made their home, and often on a hunt went the youths; many moose they killed; and deer and various kinds of game they slew. Never was Nänabushu hungry, often meat that was nice he had for his food. Now, once a young Wolf was breaking up some bones (to boil them for the marrow), and so grease in great quantity he made. Thereupon truly Nänabushu was pleased at seeing so much grease. Now, another time one of the youths wanted to break up some bones (to boil for the marrow). And so he said: “By no one do I wish to be seen, go you to bed.” After a while, when night came on, then said the old Wolf: “Don’t, Nänabushu, (don’t) watch him who is to crack bones (and boil them for the marrow)!” Thereupon they went to bed, except only the young Wolf that was seated breaking the bones (to boild them for the marrow). Now, when Nänabushu secretly took a look at him, he then saw that what he did was to gnaw upon the bones, and that the grease which came from his mouth he kept putting into a vessel. Now, while Nänabushu was watching what he was doing, (the Wolf) then let slip from his mouth a joint-bone with a knob, whereupon it fell square on Nänabushu’s eye. And then Nänabushu was knocked out of his wits by the falling bone. Now, the old Wolf breathed upon Nänabushu, whereupon he revived. And then he said to him: „Perhaps you were watching him.” Thereupon said Nänabushu: “I was not watching him, on purpose he hit me.” And another time, when they had many bones , then said the old Wolf: “Come, now, (it is) your turn, Nänabushu, to crack the bones (for the marrow). Upon which truly Nänabushu said: “All right, I will crack the bones (for the marrow).” Now, Nänabushu remembered what had been done to him, that he had been nearly killed. Therefore said Nänabushu: “Go you to bed. By nobody let me be watched. Cover up your faces.” And so truly that was what they did. Now, while Nänabushu was making a noise cracking the bones, the old Wolf then slyly took a peep at Nänabushu (to see him) at his work; and now Nänabushu took up a large bone, and then hit a young Wolf, whereupon he killed him. At that up they all rose from where they lay. And the old (Wolf) said: “Why did you hit him?” “I did not hit him,” said Nänabushu. „Indeed, you did hit him, for I was watching you.” „Nay, „ said Nänabushu. „Perhaps secretly was I observed by him, and that was why from my mouth I slipped my hold on the knobbed ankle-bone.” „Truly, indeed, you did hit him.” Now, when the old Wolf breathed upon his son, he then revived him; alive became his son. Now, once the old (Wolf) spoke to Nänabushu, saying: “It is now about time that we should be moving. One of your nephews will I give to you, and he will be the one for you to accompany when he goes to hunt. One, too, will I accompany. I will give you fire.” Thereupon the old (Wolf) broke wind. “Now, this is a flint.” Again the old (Wolf) broke wind. “That is kindling.” Again he broke wind. „That is birch-bark. (2) After a while, when you go into camp (and) have gathered the fire-wood, then shall you leap over the place where the wood is, whereupon up will start the blaze. Do not try to do it merely for the sake of doing it.” |
