Xiipúktánək,181

First of all,

'atsaayúu,

well,

'axáts aaíimk,

water was all there was,

tsáaməly aamáttk viivát.

and it covered everything.

'Amáttəny nyiiríish a'íim.182

There was no land.

.

Kukumáatt-ts athúum,

Kukwiimáatt was (there),

piipáa nyiiv'óowəntik,

and someone else was there too,

nyáanya,

and as for that person

makyík amúly —

whatever his name was —

amúly shoopóow aly'ém;

he didn’t know his name;

áayts aly'émxáym.

he hadn’t been given one yet.

.

Nyáanyts,

They were the ones,

'axá maxák amánk athót.183

they came from under the water.

***184

***

Avoonóoxaym,

There they were, and suddenly,

kaawíts kírən a'ím uu'áavək 'ét.

they felt something shake, they say.

Nyáanyəm,

With that,

Kukwiimáattányts atspák 'et.

Kukwiimáatt came out, they say.

'Axá 'amáy nyiiv'óowət.

He stood on top of the water.

'Ashéntits athúunypat 'étsáa,185

The other one wanted to do (the same thing) too, but

siiváxáyk,

he was still there,

Kukwiimáatt kwa'ítsnya nyáany,

and that one who was called Kukwiimáatt,

nyáany tsakakwék 'eta.

he asked him, they say.

“Kamathómk 'axám mathíik matspák mathúum?”

“How did you come out of the water?”

a'íim,

he said,

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim,

and Kukwiimáatt said,

“ 'Eethóny 'uutstáaqəsh,”186

“I opened my eyes,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

Taaxánk,

(But what) really happened (was),

eethóny aaspáqs a'étk a'íik 'eta.

he must have had his eyes closed, they say.

.

Piipáa kwashéntəntínyənyts athúum:

That other person did it:

eethónya uutstáaq 'et.187

he opened his eyes, they say.

'Axáts alyaxávək,

Water went in,

eethó ta'aaláaym,

and it ruined his eyes,

eethó táarək 'et.

and he was blind, they say.

.

Atspák vanyaathíim,

As he was coming out,

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'ím,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Kwara'ák Eethó Kwatáarée!” a'íim 'ityá.188

“Blind Old Man!” he said, they say.

.

'Atsaayúu tsáaməly tiinyáamk viitháwət.

Everything was dark.

'Anyáats nyiivá lya'émk,

There was no sun,

xaly'áts nyiivá lya'émk,

there was no moon,

xamashéts nyiitháw aly'émk,

there were no stars,

athúum,

and so,

viitháwk 'et.

here they were, they say.

.

Nyaany ayúukəm,

He saw that,

Kukwiimáattənyts,189

Kukwiimáatt (did),

'axóttəm ayúu lya'émk 'et.

and it didn’t look good to him, they say.

Áar aly'ém.

He didn’t like it.

.

Av'áak láak láak a'ím,

He walked, taking big steps,

aatsuumpápk,

he did it four times,

takavék,

and he came back,

nyáalyavíintík,

and it was like that again,

nyáalyavíi uutsáawəntík 'etá.

he did it like that again in the same way, they say.

Nyaaxáapk shathómpk,

He headed to the west,

xiipúk,

first,

takavék;

and he came back;

kavéely shathómpk,

he headed to the south,

takavék;

and he came back;

'anyáavi shathómpk,

he headed to the east,

takavék;

and he came back;

athúuk 'et.

he did, they say.

Nyaathúum,

Then,

'axányanyts asáttk a'et.

the water receded, they say.

.

Iisháalynya 'axály shathúunk,

He put his finger in the water,

aakwíin aakwíin awíik 'etá.

and he made it go around and around, they say.

.

“ 'Anyaats 'ashaakwíink va'oonóok,

“I am stirring it around,

'anyaats 'ashaakwíink va'oonóok,

I am stirring it around,

kúur a'ím,

and soon,

'amáttənyts arúvəxa.

the ground will be dry.

Kúur a'ím,

Soon,

'amáttənyts arúvəxa,”

the ground will be dry,”

.

a'íim,

he said,

aashváarək.

he sang it.

.

Nyiiv'óowk,190

He stood there,

nyiivoo'óowənyá,191

and there where he stood,

'atsaayúuts atspák;192

something came out;

'axányi atóly avák 'et.193

it was in the middle of the water, they say.

'Amáttəts.

It was land.

.

“ 'Aaqáa,”194

“ 'Aaqáa,”

'et,

he said,

'atsaayúu Piipáa Eetho Kwatáarányts.

the Blind Person or whoever he was.

“Tsapéevt.

“It is small.

Tsapéevtəm,

It is small,

kaawémk,

so how is it

piipáats 'atáyk vanyoonóowúm?”

that a lot of people might be there?”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

“Náq ka'íim,”

“Be silent,”

a'ét.

he said.

Kukumáatt-ts a'ím.

Kukwiimáatt said it.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts 'amátt nyiinák,

The Blind Old Man sat down on the ground,

'aayúu mas'ée ashtúum,

and he gathered some mud or something,

xantap'óop atséwk 'et.

and he made a doll, they say.

.

Nyáanya,

As for that,

mapísá,

nowadays,

xuumáarts uutsáawk awityá,

children make them,

xantapa'óop nyáany.

those dolls.

Nyáany lyavíim atséwk 'et.

He made something like that, they say.

Aaíimtank,

He just did it,

iiwáam,

on his own,

iiwáam,195

on his own,

alynyiiuuthúutsənya awíim atséwk.196

he used his ideas to make them.

Nyáanya,

About those dolls,

Kukwiimáatt nyáany makyík “ 'Anykawík!” a'íi lya'ém.

he never said to Kukwiimáatt, “Help me!”

Vaawíim:

He did it like this:

mas'éenya ashtúum,

he gathered the mud,

iiwáamtan alynyiiuuthúutsəny awíim

he used his very own ideas

atséwk avoonóok 'et.

and he went about making (the dolls), they say.

Nyáany makyík avány tsakakwíivək

He never did ask him

a'ávək awíi lya'ém.197

and listen (to what he had to say).

Nyáanya tatsháattk nyiixítsək awíik 'et.

He stood them up and lined them up in a row, they say.

.

Kukwiimáattənyts,

Kukwiimáatt,

nyáany,

as for that,

piipáanya,

that person,

Eethó Kwatáar nyáany shalyamák nyiiv'óowk av'óowk.

he stood there behind that Blind One.

“Kaawíts matséwk ma'ím avmuuváak mawíim?”

“What are you trying to make?” (he said).

“Pa'iipáa,”

“People,”

a'íik 'eta.

he said, they say.

Eethó Kwatáarányts.

The Blind One (did).

“ 'Anyáats xiipúk 'awíim,

“I will do it first,

mayúuk,

and you may watch,

mawéxa,”

and you may do it,”

a'íikəta.

he said, they say.

Kukwiimáatt a'íim.

He said it to Kukwiimáatt.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarány,

(To) the Blind Person,

kaa'ém alya'émk 'etá.

(Kukwiimáatt) said nothing, they say.

Masharáyk viivák.

He was angry, sitting here.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“ 'Atsaayúu xaly'á xiipúk 'atséwxa,”

“First I will make the moon or something,”

nyaa'íim,

and then,

'anyáavik shathómpk,

he turned toward the east,

iisháaly kapáar nyáanyi tsayóq,

and he spat on the tip of his finger there,

'amáynyi tsasvék,

and he rubbed it on the sky,

vaawée vaawée awíik 'eta.

he went like this and like this, they say.

Nyáanyəm,

With that,

tàkaták 'anyáayk uuvák 'et.

it was round and shiny, they say.

.

Eethó Kwatáarənyts a'íim,

The Blind One said,

“Kaawíts viithíik!

“Something is coming!

Kaawíts viithíisá.”

Something might be coming.”

“ 'Atsaayúu xaly'á 'a'íim 'ashéxá,”

“I will name it the moon,”

a'íik 'et,

he said, they say,

Kukwiimáattányts.

Kukwiimáatt (did).

.

Nyáany 'ashéntəm atséwk 'eta.

He made that one (thing), they say.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Vatháts,

“As for this,

xaly'á vatháts,

this moon,

mattkwashéntəny nyiivá lya'émxá.

it will not stay in the same place.

Nyáavi amánk

It will come from here

viiyáanyk viiyáanyk,

and go on and go on,

'anyaaxáapk shathómpk viiyáanyk aváamxá.”

it will go on heading toward the west and get there.”

Eethó Kwatáarənyts a'íim,

The Blind One said,

“Viiyáaxayk,

“It will go along, and all of sudden,

'axaly axávətxá.

it will go into the water.

Kaathómk atspámxa'ənká?”

How will it get out?”

a'íikəta.

he said, they say.

***198

***

“ 'Amáynya 'atawáamk,199

“I will turn the sky,

vaawée 'awíim,

I will make it go like this,

nyáany,

and as for that,

xaly'ányts matxávik aváak nyaaváamk,200

the moon will reach the north,

viiyáanyək,

and go along until

'anyáavik aváam;

it gets to the east;

takavék

it will go back

nyáanyi aváamxa,”

and get there,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

“Tsaváamk athúuwúm,”

“That would be impossible,”

nyáany a'íik 'etá.

that’s what he said, they say.

Eethó Kwatáarányts.

The Blind One.

.

Nyáanyəm,

With that,

piipáa atséwk,

he made people,

suuvák awíik 'etk,

he sat over there intending to do it,

uuvám,

there he was,

ayúuk,

and seeing him,

Kukwiimáattənyts anák,

Kukwiimáatt sat down,

awíinypat:

and he did it too:

'atsaayúu mas'ée ashtúum.

he gathered mud or something.

.

'Atsaayúu,201

Well,

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts xiipúk awíim,

the Blind Person would do it first,

pa'iipáa nyiitséwxá,

he would make people,

aaly'íim.

he thought.

Nyáany áar aly'ém.

(Kukwiimáatt) didn’t want that.

Awéxáym,202

If (the Blind One) did it,

piipáanyts xáak athúum,

the people would be different,

'aláayíi kaa'émxa,

they might be bad,

makyík uutar'úyk atséw aly'ém.

for he was not making them carefully at all.

.

Xiipúk,

First,

Kwatsáan 'iipáa atséwk 'et.

he made a Quechan man, they say.

Nyaamák,

After that,

Kamayáa atséwk,

he made a Kamia,203

nyaawíim,

and then,

mashaxáy Kwatsáan awíim,

he did a Quechan woman,

Kamayáa mashaxay awíim 'et.

and he did a Kamia woman, they say.

Nyaamák,

After that,

Kwa'aapá 'iipáa atséwk,

he made a Cocopa man,

Xattpáa 'Anyáa 'iipáa atséwk,204

he made a Maricopa man,

Kwa'aapá sanya'ák atséwk,

he made a Cocopa woman,

Xattpaa 'Anyáa sanya'ák atséwəntík 'et.

and he made a Maricopa woman too, they say.

Nyaawíim,

Then,

'amátt nyiitháwk,

they lay there on the ground,

viitháwk 'eta.

they lay there, they say.

Nyiitsáam athum,

He placed them there, and so,

nyáanyi atháwk avatháwk.

that’s where they lay.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts Kukumáatt aatsooyóoyk 'etá,

The Blind Person showed them to Kukwiimáatt, they say,

piipáa ootséwənyá.

the people that he had made.

Eeméts athótəsáa,

There were legs, but

eemé kapáarəny nyiirísh a'íim.

there weren’t any toes.

Iisháaly kapáarəny nyiirísh a'íim.

There weren’t any fingers.

A'étəm athúm,

Therefore,

'axótt alya'ém.

they were no good.

Iisháalyəny takyévək shanàpanápk 'et.205

The fingers were joined together and webbed, they say.

“Kaawémk

“How is it

pa'iipáanyts uuxáyk uuváaxanká?

that a person will know how (to use them)?

Makyík 'axóttəm atséw aly'ém.

He didn’t make them well at all.

'Anyáats nya'awíim,

When I do it,

'aayúu iisháaly kapáarnya 'atséwk.

I make fingers and things.

Iisháaly kapáara kwaqóolnya 'atséwəntík” a'ím,

I make long fingers too,” he said,

“Iisháaly kwaly'ooxóo 'atséwəntík,

“I make fingernails too,

eemé 'atséwk,

I make feet,

eemé kapáarnya.

and the toes.

Eemé kwaly'ooxóony 'atséwəntík,” a'ét.206

I make the toenails too,” he said.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarəny

The Blind Person

iiwáanyts 'axótt aly'ém viiv'óowt.

felt bad, standing there.207

“Vathány,

“As for this one,

vatháts 'axóttk athútyá,

this one is good,

'anyép 'ootséwənyts.

the one that I made.

'Atsaayúu 'amáttnyi atháwəm,

If there are things on the ground,

ashtúu a'éxayk awíim,

if he wants to pick them up he can do it,208

'axóttxá.”

and that will be good.”

.

“Kaváarək,” 'étk,

“No,” he said,

awíim,

he did,

Kukwiimáatt-ts.

Kukwiimáatt (did).

“Máany piipáa mootséwənyts 'axótt alya'ém.

“The person you made is not good at all.

Iisháaly kapáarnya,

As for the fingers,

iisháaly kapáarənyts shaaxúukəm 'atséwətk awityá.

I made mine with ten fingers.

Piipáats —

A person —

xalyavímtəm

it is possible

kaa'íts nyáanya

that some of those (fingers)

kaathómk aráavxáyəm,

might get hurt somehow,

'axótt alyaskyíitxa,

but it would still be all right,

oov'ótstəntík kwathútsəny.

because other (fingers) would be there.

Awíi lyaskyíik,

He could still use them,

iisháalyəm kaawéməm,

he could do something with his hands,

'axóttəxá.

and it would be all right.

Nyaathúum,

Then,

máany mootséwənyts 'aláayexa.

the ones that you made would be in bad shape.

Iisháalynya taaráavxáym,209

If (one of them) hurt his hand,

'atsaayúu tsáaməly aráavək 'et.

the whole thing would be hurt.

Aráavəxa.”

It would be hurt.”

Nyaa'íim,

Having said that,

táqsh a'ím,

he jumped up,

'atsaayúu,

and, well,

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts siiv'óowm,210

the Blind Person stood there,

'atsaayúu ootséwənya,

and as for the things that he had made,

ka'ák ka'ák awíim,

(Kukwiimáatt) went kick! kick!,

'axály aatspáxk 'et.

and he cast them into the water, they say.

.

Pa'iipáa Eethó Kwatáarəny,

As for the Blind Person,

mashuuráyəny mattapéem;211

his anger was terrible;

'axály axávək,

he went into the water,

siiyáak 'et.

and he went along, they say.

Awéxáym,212

When he did so,

'axá shaakwíints mattapéek,

there was a terrible whirlpool,

nyaanyi;

there;

nyáanyi avák 'eta.

there it was, they say.

Nyáanyts athúum:213

That’s what happened:

'atsaayúu 'atsiiráavts mattapéem,

there were a lot of sicknesses and things,

mattapéek siitháwənyk,

there were a lot of them over there,

aatspáatsk 'ét.

and they came out, they say.

Avathúum,

That happened,

'atsuuráavək athúuk 'et.

and (people now) get sick, they say.

.

Nyáany ayúuk oov'óowxayk,

As soon as he saw that,

Kukumáattənyts,

Kukwiimáatt

eeménya awíim shapéttk 'et.

used his foot and covered (the whirlpool), they say.

'Atsaayúu kwa'anyóyməts,

The ugly things,

kaa'íts aatspáatsk 'et.

some of them had come out, they say.

Athúu lya'émk 'ís,

If it hadn’t happened,

piipáats 'atsuuráav aly'émtəxá,

people would not get sick,

nyáava kwathíkəny.

as is now the situation.214

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts

The Blind Person

'axá maxák alyavák,

stayed underwater,

siivák 'eta.

there he was, over there, they say.

'Atsaayúunyts aatspáatsk avoonóo:

Things kept coming out:

'atsiiráavəts.

sicknesses.

Kukwiimáatt,

As for Kukwiimáatt,

nyáanyi 'amátt nyiiv'óowk ayúuk,215

he stood there on the ground there and watched,

siiv'óowk 'eta.

he stood over there, they say.

Vasháwək.

He guarded it.

.

Kukumáatt-ts takavék,

Kukwiimáatt returned,

piipáanya kayáam,

and he went straight toward the people,

ootséwənya.

the ones he had made.

Piipáa Kwatsáanənya atháwk 'et.

He picked up the Quechan person, they say.

Atháwk awim,

He picked him up

tskalypónyi,

by his armpits,

nyáany nyiiwíim,

that’s what he used,

matxávik aashathómp,

he sent him (swinging) to the north,

ookavék ookavék awím,

he made him go (swinging) back and forth,

takavék,

and he came back,

awím,

and so,

nyiiv'óowəntík 'eta.

he stood there again, they say.

.

Nyaamák,

After that,

'anyaaxáapk awémk,

he sent him to the west,

wiishaawíish nyaawíntík,

he made him swing back and forth again,

nyáavik awíntík,

he did it again towards here,

awíik 'et.

he did it, they say.

.

Xiipúkətánk,

At first,

piipáa vatháts,

this person,

piipáa nyáavi kwathíkənya,216

the person that was here,

iisháaly lyavíik 'aqóolk 'et.

he was as long as one’s hand, they say.

Aawinyawínyk

(Kukwiimáatt) swung him back and forth,

nyiimánxaym,

and from then on,

'aqóolk alóq a'ím,

he was very long,

athúuk 'et.

he was, they say.

.

'Atsaayúu tsáaməly shoopóowk viiv'óowətəs a'ét —

He stood there, aware of everything, but —

'íis a'étk217 —

but —

makyík tsaqwér aly'émk 'et.

he couldn’t talk at all, they say.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Eethóny kashatpíittk kav'óowk!” 'eta.

“Close your eyes and stand there!” he said.

.

Nyaathúum,

Then,

Kukwiimáatt-ts piipáanya nyiikamáanənya awíntík 'eta.

Kukwiimáatt did the rest of the people in turn, they say.

Nyiiwíntik:

He did them in turn:

Kwa'aapánya awíim,

he did the Cocopa,

Xattpáa 'Anyáa awíim,218

and he did the Maricopa,

a'étəsáa

but

makyík Xattpáa 'Anyáany kavéely ooshathómp aly'émk

he never did turn the Maricopa to the south,

'eta.219

they say.

Athúum,

So,

nyáanyts viiyáak,

that (Maricopa) went along,

nyáasi nyaváy a'íim.

intending to live over there in the east.

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts,

As for Kukwiimáatt,

nyaamák,

after that,

tsooqwérəny piipáa nyiiáayk 'et.

he gave the people language, they say.

.

Kwatsáan,

The Quechan,

piipáa Kwatsáannya nyaatháwək,

as the Quechan people were standing there,

xáak tsavóowk,

he put them on one side,

a'íim,

and he said,

“Katsaqwérək!”

“Speak!”

a'íik 'eta.

he said it, they say.

.

A'ávk viiv'óowsáa,

(The Quechan man) understood him, but

makyík tsaqwér aly'émk 'eta.

he could not speak at all, they say.

Uu'íts nyaatsuumpápəm,

The fourth time he said it,220

nyáanyəm,

at that point,

'anóqəm tsaqwérək 'et.

(the Quechan man) spoke a little, they say.

Piipáa nyáanya amúly áayk 'et.221

(Kukwiimáatt) gave that person a name, they say.

Kwatsáan a'íim.

He called him Kwatsáan (Quechan).

.

Nyáanyi uutsáawəntík,

Doing it in the same way,

Kukwiimáatt kwa'ashíinəntínya a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said (something) to each of them,

tsatsuuqwáarək 'eta.

and they spoke, they say.

Makyíny uu'ítsəny:222

What he said was who they were:

Kamayáa,

Kamia,

***223

***

Kwa'aapá,

Cocopa,

Maricopa,

Maricopa,

Xattpáa 'Anyáa a'íikəta.224

he said Xattpáa 'Anyáa (Maricopa), they say.

.

Kukwiimáattənyts sanyts'áak nyiiáay lya'émk 'et,225

Kukwiimáatt did not give it to the women, they say,

tsooqwér nyiiáay lya'ém.

he did not give them the power of speech.

Nyáanyts ookavék,

He sent it back

'iipátsənya,

(with) the men,

a'íim nyiioo'éeyk 'et.

and so he intended (the men) to teach (the women).

.

'Iipáa Kwatsáanənyts,

The Quechan man,

'aayúu,

well,

Kamayáany eethónya asháamk 'et.

he looked into the face of the Kamia, they say.

Ayúuk ava'óow.

He stood there looking.

Mattkiiyíik 'et.

They became friends, they say.

Kwa'aapá,

As for the Cocopa,

Kwa'aapányənyts Xattpáa 'Anyáany taxkwéevk viiv'óow,

the Cocopa stood next to the Maricopa,

nyáanyts mattkiiyíintík 'et.

and they likewise became friends, they say.

.

Kwatsáan 'aakóoyənyts alynyiithúutsk viiv'óowk 'et.

The Quechan woman stood there thinking, they say.

Alynyiithúutsk a'ím:

She thought about it and said:

“Kaathúntək a'ím,

“Why is it

Kukwiimáatt-ts

(that) Kukwiimáatt,

'anyétsa awíim,226

in doing us,

xáak awíim atséwk awím?”227

did things differently?”228

a'éta.

she said.

“Kaathómk

“How is it

xuumáarts aatspáatsxanká?” 'et.

that children shall be born?” she said.

.

Piipáats siiv'óownyək,

A person stood there in the distance,

a'ávək siiv'óowəny,

he stood there in the distance listening,

a'íikəta.

they say.

“ 'Ayáak

“I shall go

Kukwiimáatt 'atskakwékm 'a'ávəka.”229

and ask Kukwiimáatt and hear (what he has to say),” he said.

Kukwiimáatt-ts ava'óownyək a'ím,

Kukwiimáatt stood there, and so,

'aakóoyəny a'íikəta.

he said something to the woman, they say.

'Anyáats 'anykóor 'ashoopóowk 'athutyá

“I already know

alynyiimuuthúutsnya.

about your thoughts.

Nyáanya,

Those (thoughts),

miiwáaly matsathúly viimav'óowəs athót,

you are hiding them in your heart, but

'ashoopóowk.

I know about them.

Kaathúntək a'ím

Why is it

aaíimk ma'íilyma'ém?

that you don’t just say them?

Mashtxáats iiwáam makyík xuumáar ayúu aly'émk.230

Girls cannot have children on their own.

Mayáak,231

You (must) go,

Kwatsáan 'iipáanya makayáamxá,”

you must go to that Quechan man,”

a'ét.

he said.

Nyaa'ávk awim,

When she heard him, then

'aakóoy —

the old woman —

sanya'ákíi —

the woman, perhaps —

mashaxáyts,

the girl,

'a'étxa,

I will say,

nyáanyts,

that (girl),

iiwáanyts 'axóttk 'et.

she felt better, they say.

.

Avathótəs a'ét,

Even so, she said,

“ 'Anyáats,

“As for me,

'iipáa 'iixán 'áartəka'e.

I want a good-looking man.

Makyík avány Kwatsáanənya 'áar aly'émtəka'e.

I don’t want that Quechan at all.

Kwa'aapányənyts 'iixántəmash.

The Cocopa is good-looking.

Kwatsáannya 'áar aly'émtəka'e,”

I don’t want the Quechan,”

a'íim,

she said,

viiv'óowk 'ityá.

and she stood there, they say.

Kwa'aapánya atsúyxa lyavíik.

She felt like marrying the Cocopa.

Ayúuk,

She looked at him,

a'íitstank viiv'óow.

and she stood there flirting with him.

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Kwa'aapánya makyík matsúy alyma'émxa.232

“You will not marry the Cocopa.

Máanyts mathúum,233

You are you,

nyáanyts athúum,

and he is he,

makyík mattkwa'ashéntəly nyamoonóo lya'émxa,”

and (the two of) you will never be in the same place,”

a'íiket.

he said, they say.

.

Mashaxáyənyts

The girl

makyík a'áv aly'émk 'et.

didn’t listen to him, they say.

Viiyáak,

She went along,

avata'ár avuuváak,

she was sulking,

avuuváak 'et.

there she was, over there, they say.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts xáak athíik atspák.234

The Blind Person came out from one side.

Siivám ayúuk 'et.

He saw her there, they say.

Nyaayúuk a'íim,

Seeing her, he said,

“Kukumáatt-ts uu'ítsnya,

“Whatever Kukwiimáatt says,

makyík ka'áv alyaka'émk.

don’t listen to him.

Kaawémk 'atsmawéeyúm?

What could he do for you?

.

'Ís

If only

'anyép nyaama'ávəm,

you were to listen to me,

'atsaayúu 'atáytanəm manyuuwítsxa.

you would own many things.

'Atsmuumátsənyts 'atáy athóxa,

You would have many meals,235

xuumxúukəm

six of them

'anyáa kwashíintənyám.”

each day.”

Kukumáatt shoopóowk 'eta.

Kukwiimáatt knew about it, they say.

Aváts,

This one,

Eethó Kwatáarányts,

the Blind One,

nyiiuuváam,

he was there,

nyáanyts,

and that (Kukwiimáatt),

a'ávtəsáa,236

he sensed it, but

makyík ayúulya'émk 'et.

he couldn’t see him.

.

Viiyáak,

He went,

viiyáak,

and he went,

sany'ákənyts — mashxáyənyts siiv'óowxáym,

and as the woman — (or rather) the girl stood there,

viiyáamk awítya.

he went past her.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarányts

The Blind Person

maxák alyaxávək 'et.

went under the water, they say.

Maxák alyaxávək 'anyéw,

He went under the water and disappeared,

awim,

and so,

Kukwiimáatt-ts mashxáyəny a'íim,237

Kukwiimáatt said to the girl,

“Makyík 'atsaayúu 'uu'ítsəny ma'áv alyma'émk.238

“You did not listen to what I said.

Nyuukanáavxaym,

I told you,

makyík ma'áv alyma'émk.

and you never listened.

Nyáavi amánk,

Starting here,

nyiinytatpóoyxá!

I will kill you!

Máanyts athúum,

It is you (whom I will kill),

piipáa nyiikamáanənyts!”

and the rest of the people!”

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts matxávi shathómp,239

Kukwiimáatt faced north,

tsaqwérk uuráwtan aatsuumpáp.

and he spoke very rapidly four times.

Nyaanyi amán,

From that point,

oov'óowk viitháwnyək,

it went on raining,

nyaatsuumpáp.

four times.

'Axányənyts 'amáttnya aamáarək 'et.

The water covered the land, they say.

Piipáanyənyts 'axám áamk avoonóoxayk 'et.

The people were swimming around, they say.

Oonóoxaym,

There they were, and suddenly,

oov'óowənyts akwévək a'ét.

the rain stopped, they say.

.

Kukumáatt-ts 'a'íi ashtúum,

Kukwiimáatt gathered wood,

a'íim,

and he said,

“ 'Atsaayúu mashtaráts nyiinyatséwxá,”

“I will make you into wild things,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

.

Piipáa Kwa'aapánya atháwk

He took the Cocopa person

'atsaayúu shakw'iiláa atséwk 'et.240

and made him into a mockingbird or something, they say.

Kamayáany awíim,241

He did the Kamia,

'aqwáaq nyiitséwəntík,

he made them into deer,

Xattpáa 'Anyáanya 'ashée nyiitséwk,

and he made the Maricopa into buzzards,

'ís

but

Kwatsáan,

as for the Quechan,

nyáanyts 'ashéntək,

he was the only one,

pa'iipáa lyavíik oov'óowk 'et.

he remained in human form, they say.

Nyáanyi,

At that point,

ashék 'ím,

he named him,

Marxókavék a'íim ashék 'ét.

he named him Marxókavék, they say.

.

“ 'Atsaváamk 'atsáam 'oowéxanya 'awíiyúm,242

“I can’t do everything that I should do.

'Aayúuts 'atáyəm 'oowéxats viitháwk 'itya,”

There are so many things for me to do,”

a'íik 'eta.

he said, they say.

Marxókavékts a'íim.

Marxókavék said it.

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“ 'Anyáats nyoo'éeyəxá.243

“I will teach you.

'Anyáats nyoo'éeyəm,

I will teach you,

piipáa matséwxá.

and you will make people.

Nyáany mawíim 'anymawíikəm,244

You will do that to help me,

'amátt vatháts 'axóttxá.

and this world will be better off.

'Anyáats 'amáttəny 'atséwk 'awim,

I made the earth,

'amáyəny 'atséwk 'awim,

I made the sky,

xaly'á 'atséwk,

I made the moon,

xamshé 'atséwk,

I made the stars,

tiinyáaməny 'atséwk,

I made the darkness,

'awétk 'awím,

I did, and so,

aaíim,

anyway,

'aayúu kwanyméts viitháwm 'atséwəntixá,”

I will make other things (that will) be here,”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

Kukumáattányts

Kukwiimáatt

'axá 'amáynyi av'óowk av'óowk 'eta.

was standing on top of the water, they say.

Nyiiv'óowxáyk aashváarək 'et:

He stood there and suddenly he sang, they say:

.

“ 'Axá vatháts 'àra'ár alya'ém;245

“This water is not deep;

'anyáats avány 'asíim tsáaməly 'atsáavxa.

I will drink all of this up.

'Axányanyts 'axóttk;

The water is good;

'ooséxats athúum.”

it is fit for me to drink.”

.

Nyaa'íiva.

That’s what he said.

Marxókavék a'íim,

He said to Marxókavék,

“Meethó kashatpíittk,” a'ím,246

“Close your eyes,” he said,

awéxaym,

and as soon as he did so,

'axányənyts takavék atsénk,247

the water went back down,

a'íim,

and so,

atsénək siiyáaxáym,

as soon as it went down,

'amáttəny 'amáyənyi ava'óowk a'ím,

they were standing on the surface of the land, and so,

soov'óowk 'et.248

they were standing over there, they say.

.

“Piipáa siipxúuk 'atséwk,

“I made eight people,

makyík nyuu'áav aly'émk.249

and they never listen to me.

Nyáava 'awíntik,

When I do this again,

shaaxúuk aaxavík 'amáyk tsuumpápm 'atséwxa.

I will make twenty-four.

'Atséwm,

I will make them,

nyáanyts 'axóttxá.”

and they will be good.”

.

Nyaa'íim,

Having said that,

av'áak viithíik viiyáak 'eta.

he walked back and forth, they say.250

Xiipúk 'anyaaxáap kayáamk,

First he headed west,

takavék 'anyáavi kayáamk.

and then he turned back and headed east.

“Nyáavi 'amátt-ts atóvi athúum athutyá.

“This is the center of the earth.

'Amátt atónyi nyáavi avák.

The center of the earth is here.

Nyáavi avák.

Here it is.

'Avá kwatiinyáamənya 'atséwxa.”251

I will build my dark house.”

.

Nyaawíim,

Then,

nyii'íly tsuumpáp ashtúuk 'eta.

he gathered up four lice, they say.

Iimáattk uuthíik.252

He got them from his body.

Nyaawíim —

Then —

nyaawíim,

then,

mas'éenyi,

into the mud,

nyáanyi,

there,

nyáanyi aapáxk 'eta.

that’s where he threw them, they say.

Awéxáym,

He did, and right away,

nyaayúuts athúuk 'eta.

they turned into something, they say.

***253

***

Xanapúuk.254

Piss ants.

Nyáany a'íim 'ityá.

That’s what they are called.

'Ís

But

vatátsk 'axwéttxay,

if they are big and red,

tsamathúly a'íim.

they are called ants.

Nyíilyk vatáyk uuvá,

(Some) are big and black,

avkoonóonya,

the ones that are around here,

tsamathúly 'avíi a'íikəta.

and they are called rock ants, they say.

Nyáanyts 'amátt uutskúpk avoonóok

Those (ants) went about making holes in the earth,

'ityá.

they say.

Nyáany nyaawíim,

That’s what they did,

'amátt mas'éenya awíim oonóom,

they went about doing something to that muddy place,

arúvək.

and it dried up.

“Kamawémk,

“How will you do it,

manyavá matséwxa'ənká?”

how will you build your house?”

a'ét.

he said.

Marxókavékts a'íim.

Marxókavék said it.

'Atsaayúu,

Well,

'a'íi kaayúm,

he had no wood,

'ax'áa kaayúmtan,

he had no cottonwood,

'éxáyk,255

and immediately,

alynyiithúutsxáyk atséwk 'eta,

by thinking about them, he created them, they say,

nyáanya,

those (things),

'uu'íts avány.

these (things) that I mentioned.

'A'íi tuutsháattəny tsuumpápəm atséwk 'et,

He created four wooden posts, they say,

kwatiinyáaməly.

in the darkness.

Kaawíts avatháwəntim ashtúum,

He gathered whatever else was there,

'atsaayúu,

and, well,

'avá kwanyíilyá atséwk 'et.

he made the black house, they say.

.

“Nyáava,

“As for this,

viikaváts vathány,

this (thing) that is sitting here,

'Axá 'Avoolypó 'a'íim 'ashéxa,”

I will name it 'Axá 'Avoolypó (Water Housepost),”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

.

Marxókavék pa'iipáa atséwk

Marxókavék made a person

mas'éem.

out of mud.

Pa'iipáa atséw.

He made a person.

Makyík kwakyáav aly'émk 'etá,

He didn’t ask for any help, they say,256

kaawémk ootséwxanyá.

with what he was somehow going to make.

Nyáany piipáanyənyts257 —

It was a person —

aaíim — alymata'órxats athót.

anyway — it was something you could ride on.

Ayúuxáyk,

As soon as he saw it,

atáqshk,

he jumped,

shalyamákəny alytaxrámpk 'et.258

and he clung to its back, they say.

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Nyáanyamáam,

“Now,

alymata'órtəm athúm,

you have ridden on him,

makyík av'áak,

and he will never walk,

makyík eemé shalyamák kwatháwnya av'áa lya'émxa.259

he will never walk on his hind legs.

'Alaavúur 'a'ím 'ashéxa,”

I will name him Burro,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

.

***260

***

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts,

Kukwiimáatt,

Kukwiimáatt-ts

Kukwiimáatt

mashaxáy atséwk,

made a girl,

'iipáa atséwk awet.

and he made a man.

***261

***

Maxáyənyts mashaxáyəny a'íim,

The childless man said to the girl,

“Kukumáatt-ts kaawíts kwa'anyáawənya muukanáavám?”262

“Has Kukwiimáatt told you any secrets?”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

“Kaváarək,”

“No,”

mashxáyənyts a'íim.

said the girl.

“Kaváartəsáa,

“No, but

'ayáak 'atskakwék 'a'ávəxá,”

I will go and ask him and hear (what he has to say),”

a'íikəta.

she said, they say.

Mashxáyənyts viiyáak,

The girl went along,

'avá kwatiinyáaməny ayémk 'eta.

she went to the dark house, they say.

.

Marxókavékts Kukwiimáatt aqásəm,

Marxókavék summoned Kukwiimáatt,

viithíik.

and he came.

“Máanyts piipáa Kwatsáanənya matsúyly 'aaly'éta,263

“I think you should marry the Quechan man,

'ootséwxáyənya,”264

the one I have just made,”

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said (to the girl).

“ 'Atsaayúu,

“Well,

xuumáar 'ayúuxa lyavíita'a,”

I would like to have children,”

a'ét.

she said.

Mashxáyənyts a'íim.

The girl said it.

“ 'Ayúuxa lyavíitəsáa,

“I would like to have them, but

uuxáyəmk athúuk 'eta.”

he says he does not know (what to do).”

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“ 'Anyáats nyaatsooyóoyxá.

“I will show you.

Athótəs

But

makyík pa'iipáa kuukanáav alyka'émk,”265

don’t tell anyone,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

Mashxáyəny iiwáanyts apúyəm oov'óowk 'eta.

The girl was surprised, standing there, they say.

.

***266

***

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts mashxáyəny a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said (something) to the girl.

Amúly ashék a'ím,267

He called her by name,

Xavashúum Kulyíi a'íik 'et.

he called her Xavashúum Kulyíi, they say.

Maxáyənya,

As for the young man,

Xavashúum Kuwáa 'íik 'et.

he called him Xavashúum Kuuwáa, they say.

'Anyáa tsuumpápəm

It was four days

mashxáyənyts 'atsarávək 'eta.

that the girl was in pain, they say.

Kwas'eethée ayúuxa lyavíik a'íim kanáav,

She told him she would like to see a doctor,

athótəsáa,

but

makyí uuváak athúu lya'emk,

there were none,

athúuk 'et.

that was the situation, they say.

.

Athótəsáa,

But

xuumáar eetóly kavátsənyts 'anykóor shoopóowk 'et.

the child in her belly already knew things, they say.

Kwas'eethée athóoyəny shoopóowk 'et.

He knew what doctors did, they say.

Uukanáavək 'ím:

He explained it to her:

“Kapáam!”

“Lie down!”

a'íik 'eta.

he said, they say.

Nyaanyi amánək awím,

Starting from there, he did it,

'anóqtan mattatséwk 'et.

he made himself very small, they say.

'Anóqtan mattatséwk athúm,

He made himself very small,

mashxáyənyts aráavəxa lyavíim.

(because) the girl was likely to feel pain.

.

'Akór aly'émxáym,

It wasn’t long, and right away

av'áak

he walked

tsaqwérək,

and he talked,

athót.

he did.

.

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim:

Kukwiimáatt said something:

amúly ashék,

he called him by name,

Kumastamxó a'íikət.

he called him Kumastamxó, they say.

Nyáanya a'íim,

That’s what he said,

xuumáyts athúuk 'et.268

and (Kumastamxó) was his son, they say.

Awík,

He would help him,

'atsaayúu atséw a'íim

he would fix things

'amáttnyá.

(in) the world.

.

“Tiinyáamk aav'áarək viitháwxanká?”

“Will it always be dark?”

a'ét.

he said,

Kumastamxóts a'íim.

Kumastamxó said it.

“Xaly'ányanyts

“The moon

xamshényənyts

and the stars

makyík 'anyáaytan alya'émt.”

are not very bright at all.”

.

Kumastamxóts269

Kumastamxó

iisháalynyi tsayóq.

spat into his hand.

'Amáynyi tsáaməly 'amáyk tsayóq,

He spat all over the sky,

nyáanyəm,

and with that,

xamshéts athúuk 'et.

there were stars, they say.

Nyaawíim,

Having done that,

iisháalynyəm tsasvéq avoonóok,

he went about wiping them with his hand,

aaíim 'anyáaytanək,

and they became bright in varying degrees,

nyaawíim,

and then,

'amáynya uushtúuk iiwáam kayáamk 'et.

he pulled the sky toward himself, they say.

Nyaawíim,

Then,

eethó atséwk 'et.

he made a face, they say.

Tsasvék avoonóoxaym,

He went on rubbing, and right away,

'anyáaytank 'et.

it was very bright, they say.

.

“Kama'émk mashéxanká,

“What do you call it,

avány?”

that one?”

a'íik 'eta.

he said, they say.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said it.

“Vathány 'anyáats.

“This is the sun.

Xaly'ávats viiyáak,

The moon goes along,

nyaaxáapk kayáamk,

it heads to the west,

takavék athum.

and it returns.

Apúyk,

It dies,

'anyáa xavíkəm atspákəntík.

and in two days it is born again.

Athúuk,” a'ét.

(That’s what) happens,” he said.

.

“Xáak 'awíim,

“I did it differently,

xáak athúum;

and it is different;

'anyáany 'atséwətk 'awityá.

I made the sun in a different way.

Athúm,

So,

nyamooyémənyts xáak athóxá,”

its path will be different,”

a'ím.

he said.

Kumastamxó aaíimk a'íim,

Kumastamxó said something,

Marxókavékts 'aayúu 'anyáanya 'anyáay atséwk,270

and Marxókavék made the sun give off light,271

tiinyáam atséwt.

and he made darkness.

'Ís

But

“Xuuvíkəly,

“Both of them,

tiinyáamtank viitháwk,

if it were really dark,

'anyáaytank viitháwk,

or if it were really light,

makyík eethóny ta'aaxótt aly'émxá.272

that would not be good at all for the eyes.

Avathótəm athum,

That’s how it is, and so,

aalyoovéevk,

half (of the time),

tiinyáaməxá.

it will be dark.

Aalyoovéev 'anyáam'əntixá.

And half (of the time) it will be daytime.

Pa'iipáanyənyts kwatiinyáam aashmátsk,

People will sleep in the darkness,

'anyáamkəm 'iipáy avuuthúutsxá.”

and creatures will do so (when) it is daytime.”

.

Kukumáatt-ts Kwatsáan 'iipáa atséwəntík,

Kukwiimáatt made another Quechan man,

Kamayáa 'iipáa atséwəntik,

and he made another Kamia man,

nyáanya,

and as for that,

'avá atóly,

in the house,

'avá tiinyáam atóly tsakxávək,

he put them in the dark house,

kaawíts nyiioo'éeyk.

and he taught them things.

Kwa'aapá atséwəntik,

He made another Cocopa,

Xattpáa 'Anyáa atséwəntik.

and he made another Maricopa.

***273

***

.

Xawáalyapáay atséwk,

He made a Hualapai,

'Axá Xavashuupáay awíim,

he did a Havasupai,

Tsamoowéev awíim,

he did a Chemehuevi,

Kawíiya uu'ítsnya awíim.274

and he did the one called Cahuilla.

Nyaatsavéts awéeyk atséwk,

He made wives for them,

nyiiwéeyk.

he did it for them.

Marxókavékts a'íim,

Marxókavék said,

“Vatháts nyaanyamáam 'axótt-tək athutyá.

“This is fine now.

'Ís,

But,

awíntik avoonóok,275

if he keeps on doing it,276

piipáats 'atáyəm,

there will be many people,

'amáttənyts 'anóqtəm athum,277

and there will be too little land,

'aláayxá.”

and that will be bad.”

Kukwiimáatt-ts uukanáavək a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt explained it to him, saying

“ 'Atsaayúu

“Well,

'amátt kwa'ora'ór vatháts

this round earth

vatáyk thúutt a'ím viitháwk,

is getting bigger,

athópəke,”

it is,”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

.

Kumastamxóts

Kumastamxó

'amátt ka'ák ka'ák awíim,

went stamp! stamp! on the ground,

'atsaayúu tsáaməly —

and everything —

athót,

he did it,

'aayúu tsáaməly masheethéevət.278

and everything was frightening.

Kukumáatt-ts 'avá kwatiinyáamənya alyavák siivát.279

Kukwiimáatt was sitting in the dark house.

Shoopóowk 'et,

He knew, they say,

Kumastamxó 'aayúu 'amáttəny uuqáq,

that Kumastamxó was making cracks in the earth,

uuqáqəm,

he was making cracks,

'aayúu kaawíts aatspáatsk oov'óts 'ím.280

so that things would sprout and stand there.

'Atsaayúu xavashúunyányts.

Green things.

'Atsaayúu 'iisáv 'et.

Arrowweed or something, they say.

.

'Iisáv xiipúk atspák athutyá

Arrowweed was the first to sprout

'atsaayúu 'amátt kwaqáaqənyá.

(through) the cracked earth or something.

.

Kumastamxóts tsaqwérək aatsuumpápk:

Kumastamxó spoke four times:

“ 'Amáy tathíts asílyxá,”

“Hail will fall,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

A'étəsáa,

He said it, but

'atsaayúu,

well,

'aayúu kwasílyəny,

whatever fell,

nyáanyts,

as for that,

'amáy tathíts athúu lya'émk 'et.

it wasn’t hail, they say.

Taaxán tathíts athúuk 'et.281

Really it was corn, they say.

Piipáanyts uumáavək avoonóok 'et.

The people went about eating it, they say.

“Tsáaməly kuumáav alyka'émk!”

“Don’t eat it all!”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

Kumastamxóts a'íim.

Kumastamxó said it.

“Kaa'its katsavóowk.”

“Plant some of it.”

“Ee'é.

“Okay.

Ka'wémk 'atstsoovóowxanká?

How shall we plant it?

'Iisháalyəm?”

With our hands?”

a'íikəta.

he said, they say.

Pa'iipáany matxávik tsawém,

He sent the people north,

'a'íi aayáak 'et.

and they got sticks, they say.

Piipáa kwashíintənyts 'a'íi 'ashéntəm shtuutúutk 'etəma,282

Each person got one stick, they say,

'atsaayúu 'a'íi qweraqwéra.

a sharp-pointed stick or something.

“Vathány tathíts,”

“This is corn,”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

Kumastamxóts a'íim.283

Kumastamxó said it.

“Kashtúum!

“Gather it!

Katsavóowk!”

Plant it!”

.

***284

***

'Axmá athíts athúum,

There were tepary seeds,

tsam'eetó,

and melons;

awíim,

he did it,

atséwk a'ét.

he made them, they say.

'Atsaayúu tsooyóqəny nyáanyk uuthíik,

He brought them out of his spittle or something,

Kwa'aapá nyiiáayk 'et.

and he gave them to the Cocopa, they say.

.

'Atsaayúu athíts,

Seeds of something,

'a'á athíts,285

seeds of the prickly pear,

nyáanya Xattpáa 'Anyáa nyiiáayk 'et.286

he gave those to the Maricopa, they say.

Piipáanyənyts athítsnya tsatsoovóowk,

Those people planted the seeds,

awíik 'et,

they did, they say,

'atsaayúu 'amátt kwa'axáyənya.

in the wet earth or something.

.

Piipáats makyí uuváak,

People were everywhere,

oov'óowəny atséwk shoopóowk athúu ly'émk 'et.

(but) they did not know how to make rain, they say.

“Xattpáa 'Anyáa 'ashéntiny

“To the Maricopa alone287

nyáany 'áayk,” 'eta.288

I give that (power),” he said.

“Nyáaym

“And I give you (another power)

oov'óowk akwévk athóxá,”

so that it will stop raining,”

a'ét.

he said.

Kumastamxóts a'íim.

Kumastamxó said it.

“Piipáats matxá nyoopóoyk,

“When people are thirsty,

nyáanyəm,

at that point,

'anyép alynyiithúutsiyú.

let them think of me.

'Anyáats 'awíim,289

I can do it,

'atsaayúu 'atáy 'ashoopóowk,

I know many things,

'aayúu 'anyáa avány 'ashapéttxa,

I can cover the sun,

kwa'anyáaya.

the bright thing.

Nyaayúu 'atséwk,290

I make things,

nyaayúu 'awíim.

I do things.

***291

***

Oov'óow matxá 'awíntik.

I too make rain and wind.

Pa'iipáats athíts 'amátt arúv nyaawíim,292

When someone is going to use seeds in the dry earth,

nyáanyts 'anyép alynyiithúutsəxá.

he should think of me.

'Anyép 'amúly nyaashém,

If he calls my name,

nyaanyayúum,

if he sees me,

nyáanyəm oov'óowk,

at that point, it will rain,

'anyáa tsuumpápk,

for four days,

'anyáa saarápíi kaa'ém,

or maybe for five days,

athúum,

and so,

nyáanyəm,

at that point,

athíts tsavóowəxa.”

he may plant his seeds.”

.

***293

***

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“ 'Anyáa matt'atsaxóxtank,

“I am really exhausted,

'apúytantəka'é.

I am dead tired.

'Anák kúur a'éxa,”

I will sit for a while,”

a'íim.

he said.

.

“Nyáanyamáam,

“That’s all,

'atsaayúu kwatiinyáam uuwárək athutyá,”

they want darkness or something,”

Kumastamxóts a'íim.

said Kumastamxó.

Nyaa'íim,294

Having said that,

“ 'Atsaayúu tsáaməly —

“Everything —

'atsaayúu tsáaməly 'anyáay lya'émxá.

everything will not be light.

'Anyáay makyí avá lya'émxa.”295

There will be no daylight anywhere.”

Nyaawíim,

Then,

'amáynya kaawémk,

he did something to the sky,

uuváaxaym,

there he was, and suddenly,

'atsaayúu,

well,

'anyáanyts atspák aly'ém a'ím;

the sun did not come up any more, they say;

awíim atséwk 'et.

he did something and made (that happen), they say.296

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts 'amátt ka'ák aatsuumpápk 'et.297

Kukwiimáatt stamped on the ground four times, they say.

Awéxáym,

He did, and suddenly,

'amáy avats

the sky

'axóttk,

was all right,

takavék 'axótt alyaskyíik,

it went back to the way it was, and it was still all right,

a'ím,

and so,

'anyáanyts takavék atspák uuváak 'et.

the sun came back up and there it was, they say.

Kumastamxóts 'avá kwatiinyáamənya alyuuváak.298

Kumastamxó was in the dark house.

“ 'Anyáayk viithíim 'ayúush.

“I see that it is getting light.

Makyíts awíim athúm?”

Who did that?”

“ 'Anyáats 'awésh,”

“I did it,”

'étk 'et.

he said, they say.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said it.

.

Marxókavékts299

Marxókavék

piipáa atséw a'ím uuváak 'et.

was trying to make people, they say.

Xiipúk,

First,

xatalwé awíik 'et.

he did Coyote, they say.

Xatalwényənyts atspámk ayúuk;

That Coyote went out and looked;

kaawíts xalykwáak uuváak 'et,

he was hunting for something, they say,

'atsamáxa lyavíim.

because he felt like eating.

Matsáam apúyk 'et.

He was starving, they say.

Makyík av'óow aly'émk.

He couldn’t stand still.

.

Marxókavékts 'atsaayúu kwanyamé 'atséwəntík 'eta.300

Marxókavek also made something else, they say.

Namé atséwk 'et,

He made Bobcat, they say,

póosh kwalyavíinya.

the one that is like a housecat.

Nyáanya,

As for that one,

lyavíintik uuvám,

there was another one like it,

Xatakúly uu'íts;

the one called Mountain Lion;

nyáany atséwk.

he made that one.

Kukwiimáatt-ts Xatalwény oosha'órək 'et.

Kukwiimáatt pointed to Coyote, they say.

Nyáanyts alytanák athúuk 'et.

He said he was the leader.

Pa'iipáa alytanák a'íim,

He said he was the leader of the people,

vathány nyiivasháw 'ím.

and he was supposed to take care of them.

Marxókavékts,

As for Marxókavék,

nyaamák,

after that,

mashxáy awíim,

he did a girl,

maxáy awíim,

and he did a boy,

atséwk.

he made them.

Amúly nyiiáay 'étənyk uuváaxaym,

He was about to give them names, when suddenly,

Xatalwényənyts a'íim301

Coyote said,

“ 'Anyáats 'awéxa lyavíita'a,”

“I want to do that,”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

Xatalwényənyts mashaxáyəny a'íim,

Coyote said to the girl,

“Shakílykíly Nyamáa,” a'íim'

“Shakílykíly Nyamáa,” he said;

maxáynya,

and to the boy,

“ 'Axály Mattnyakótt,” a'íik 'et.

he said “ 'Axály Mattnyakótt,” they say.

'Axály Mattnyakót.302

Or 'Axály Mattnyakót.

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts ayúuk uuváaxaym,

Kukwiimáatt looked at them, and suddenly,

piipáa vatháts makyík 'uuxúutt 'ím athúu lya'émk avathík 'eta.

these people were not behaving well at all, they say.

Naményanyts,

As for that Bobcat,

avány ooshéxayənya,

the (girl) who had just been named,

Shakílykíly Nyamáa vaa'ét,303

the one called Shakílykíly Nyamáa,

nyáany tavérək uuváak 'et.

he was chasing her around, they say.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Nyáany kanamák!” a'íim,

“Leave her alone!” he said,

a'éxaym,

(but) when he said it,

apúy lya'émk 'eta.

(Bobcat) wasn’t tired, they say.

Nyaamák,

After that,

viiyáak:

he went after them:

'atsvée Marxókavék,

what’s-his-name, Marxókavék,

Kumastamxó,

and Kumastamxó,

nyáany Kukwiimáatt,

and that one, Kukwiimáatt,

nyáanya nyiishtúu 'íim awíik 'étəntima.

they were the ones he was trying to catch, they say.

“ 'Anyáats piipáa vathány nyii'áar aly'émk!

“I don’t want these people!

'Ashaaíimxá!”

I will destroy them!”

a'ét,

he said,

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said it.

Nyaa'íim,

Then,

mattatsáaməly nyiiqáask,

he summoned all of them,

piipáany 'avá kwatiinyáam alyaakxávək 'et.

he brought the people into the dark house, they say.

.

Nyáanyi tsaqwértank,304

At that point he spoke,

oov'óowk awim;

and he made it rain;

uuráwk a'íikət.

he did it fast, they say.

Nyáany 'amáyəny a'íim 'ityá,305

He said it to the sky, they say,

'avá kwaaxwíir nyáanyi.

from there in the corner of the house.

Uukayáamk a'íikəta.

He brought (disasters) that way, they say.

.

Oov'óow kwiixáaly kwakyáavək.

He asked for rain and floods.

Xiipúktank,

First of all,

'atsaayúu ampóttk 'aláay tánk 'et.

there was a dust storm, and it was very bad, they say.

Nyaamák,

After that,

oov'óowk shaaxúuk aaxamók kayáamk 'et.

it went on raining for thirty days, they say.

'Axányənyts makyík 'avá kwatiinyáam alyaxáv aly'émk.

The water did not get into the dark house.

.

Piipáa 'atsláytsəts mata'ár oov'ótsk,

The bad people stood outside,

nyáanyi,

and at that point,

Kukwiimáatt kwakyáavək:

they asked Kukwiimáatt a favor:

“ 'Aakxávapátəlyá!”

“We want to come in too!”

a'íik 'et.

they said, they say.

“Kaváarək,” a'íim,

“No,” he said,

avoonóok 'eta.

and they were moving about there, they say.

'Atáytanək,

There were a whole lot of them,

'axály oopóoyk 'et.

and they drowned, they say.

.

'Alaavúurənyts,

As for Burro,

nyáanyi amánk,

from then on,

'atsaayúu,

well,

xamáalyk toxatóx a'ím,

he has been white, with spots,

nyáanyi eetó nyiitháwm athúuk 'et.

he has had them there on his belly, they say.

.

'Aqáaqts 'amáyk kayáamk viiyáak 'et.

Crow went straight into the sky, they say.

Viiyáanyək,

He went along,

nyáanyi,

and there,

'amáynyi sawénk 'etəma,

he hung from the sky, they say,

'atsaayúu,

(by means of) something,

iiyáanyi.

by means of his mouth.

Uutaxalúk,

He hooked it,

nyáanyi athúum,

and that’s where he was,

nyáanyi,

there,

nyáanyi athúuk 'et.

that’s where he was, they say.

'Axányts aváamk,

The water reached him,

'axányənyts akúulyk viiyáanyək

the water went rising up until

aa'árəny ta'aaxáyk 'et.

it got his tail wet, they say.

Mayúuxaym,

When you see it,

nyáanyts athúu kwa'átstəmash.

it really is that way, just as they said.

'Axányənyts nyaa'axáyk,

The water was wet,

nyáanya naqám,

and it touched that (tail of his),

nyáanyts —

and as for that (Crow) —

nyáanyi amánk athúuk athúuk 'etəma,

he has been like that ever since, they say,

'atsaayúunya.

that thing.

'Aqáaqənyts.

Crow.

.

Nyaathúum,

Then,

Kumastamxóts awíim,

Kumastamxó did something,

'axányənyts asáttk viiyáak.

and the water went down.

Piipáa makyípats —

Whichever creature it was —

'atsayérts 'axály apúyxa lyavíim,

the bird was likely to drown,

nyáany áar aly'émk;

and he didn’t want that to happen;

'iixánk uuváam,

(the bird) was handsome,

ayúuk 'et.

and he saw that, they say.

'Aqáaqts anyíilyk,

Crow was black,

xiipúk nyíilyk athúm,

at first he was black,

nyáanyi amánk,

and starting at that point,

ooshétsənyts 'Aqáaq a'ét.306

his name has been 'Aqáaq (Crow), they say.

.

Kumastamxóts

Kumastamxó

'atsaayúu malyxó ashtúum,

gathered his feathers or something,

xáam uuthúutstant.307

and they became very different.

Tashoonyótsənyts xáam uuthúutsək.

Their colors became different.

Nyáanyi,

At that point,

nyáanyi amánək uumúulyk 'ím:

starting at that point he named him:

Qwaqxó a'íik 'et.

he called him Qwaqxó (Woodpecker), they say.

.

Kumastamxóts 'avá atséwk awíim,308

Kumastamxó built him a house,

aví nyaváy a'íim awíik 'eta.

he did it intending him to live here, they say.

Nyáany,

As for that,

nyaawíim,

when he did it,

'axáts viiyáaxaym,309

the water was going along here, and suddenly,

'amáynyəm áamk athúuk 'etəma.310

(the house) floated on top, they say.

Waapóor lyavíik.

It was like a boat.

Kumastamxóts,

Kumastamxó,

'atsaayúu,

well,

'atsayér nyavány atséwk 'eta.

he had made the bird’s house, they say.

Aaíimtank awíikəta.

He made it without any special design, they say.

Makyík kaawíts xalykwáak awíi lya'émk.

He didn’t look for things to use.

Nyáany Qwaqxó uu'ítsnya,

The one called Woodpecker,

wanyamayáatank athúum,

(Kumastamxó) loved him,

nyáanyi,

and for that (reason),

nyáanyi amánk awíik 'et.

for that (reason) he did it, they say.

'Atsaayúu,

Well,

nyaványanyts,

that house of his,

'atsayér nyaványənyts,

the bird’s house,

viiyáanyək,

it went along, until

'amátt nyiivák 'eta.

it rested on land, they say.

Nyiivátəm athúum,311

It rested there, and so,

Qwaqxó atóly avák athúum,

Woodpecker sat in the middle of it, and so,

nyáanyts veeyémək,

he (wanted to) leave,

atspámxa lyavíik 'et.

he felt like getting out, they say.

Nyaathúum,

Then,

atspám nyaa'íim,

wanting to get out,

takavék 'ím athúuk a'éta'a.312

he said that he intended to come back.

'Axótt-tank,

He would be very good,

nyiiwík uuváaxa.

he would be there to help them out.

'Atsvée Kumastamxó aatooqwérək.

He would be with what’s-his-name, Kumastamxó.

Aatooqwérək viiyáa;

He would go along with him;

aaíimk makyí nyaayéməm,

wherever (Kumastamxó) went,

ayáanypatk athúuk 'et.

he would go too, they say.

Ayérək viiyáak,

He would fly away,

'amáytan axávək 'ím,

he would go into the sky,

atsénək viithíik,

and come down,

'aayúu uuyúutsnya kanáavək 'et,

and tell (Kumastamxó) what he had seen, they say,

aaíim kaawíts nyaayúuk.

if he happened to see something.

'Atsaayúu,

Well,

piipáa 'axwáats viithíixaym,

if an enemy came,

nyáasily athótəsáa,

he might be way over there, but

a'ávək a'ét.

he would hear him, he said.

Vuuthíi nyaa'ávək.313

He would hear him coming.

.

'Axáts nyaasáttk vanyaathíim,

As the water was receding,

'amáttənyts atspák,

the land appeared.

'amáttənyts athúuk 'etəma.314

It was land, they say.

Kukumáatt-ts piipáa nyii'íim

Kukwiimáatt said to the people

aaíimk vaayáak,

that they should just go,

aatspáats a'ím.

he said they should go out.

'Amátt kwatiinyáam alyoonóok avoonóonyək.

They had been there inside the dark place.

.

Nyaaxáapk kayáamk,

Heading to the west,

'atsaayúu,

well,

matxá kwaspérənyts viiyáak;

the strong wind went along;

nyáasi kayáamk athúuk 'et.

it was heading over there, they say.

.

'Axányts asáttk avoonóonyək,

The water went on receding, until

'aayúu 'axá sa'ílyənyts315

the ocean or whatever it was

'anóqtank alyatháwk áampk 'et.

was very small and had little (water) left in it, they say.

.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts mashathék 'eta.

The Blind Person was afraid, they say.

'Atsaayúu tsáaməly arúvək 'et,316

Everything was drying up, they say,

'aláayxa lyavíim.

and was likely to be bad.

Tsaxtáattk atspák 'eta,317

He crawled out, they say.

matxávik.

in the north.

Nyáanyəm atspák 'et.318

That’s where he came out, they say.

Xavashúum Kulyíits siivám ayúuk;

He saw Xavashúum Kulyíi over there;

Xavashúum Kuuwáats

(she and) Xavashúum Kuuwáa

alyatháwk 'etəs 'et,

must have been there, they say,

'avá kwatiinyáamənya.

in the dark house.

Nyaa'íim,

Then,

'atsaayúuts 'atáyəm nyiiáayəxa a'íikət.

he said he would give them many things, they say.

Aványa aatooqwérəts lya'ém 'ím,319

He did not want them to associate with that (person),

Kukwiimáatt uu'ítsnyá.

(with) the one called Kukwiimáatt.

Nyiiuukanáavək 'ím,

He told them,

“Kukwiimáatt-ts mattapúy 'ím uuváak athópəká,320

“Kukwiimáatt is going to kill you,

kúur a'ím.”

pretty soon.”

***321

***

Athótəsáa,

However,

Xavashúum Kulyíits thomtaayúuk a'éta.322

Xavashúum Kulyíi made it clear, they say.

“Kaváarək,

“No,

athúu lya'émxá,”

it won’t happen,”

a'íim.

she said.

Nyáany nyaa'íim mashthék uuváak.

(But) when she said that, she was afraid.

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts shatríiq 'ím uuváa,

The Blind Person tried with both hands to restrain her,

avéshk veeyém.

(but) she went running away.

Atháwk.

He caught her.

Shav'óowk 'ím,

Intending to keep her standing there, (he said,)

“ 'Atsaayúu,

“Well,

'atsmuumátsá xuumxúuk 'anyáa kwashíintím 'anyáayxá,”

I will give you six meals each day,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

“Kuuthíik,

“Bring them,

nyaathúum!”

then!”

a'íikəta.

she said, they say.

Mashaxáyənyts a'íim.

The girl said it.

“ 'Awéxa lyavíitəsáa,

“I would like to do it, but

Kukumáatt 'amashthétka'é.”

I am afraid of Kukwiimáatt,” he said.

Kukumáatt-ts viithíik 'et.

Kukwiimáatt came along, they say.

Viithíixaym,

He came, and suddenly

Piipáa Eethó Kwatáarənyts

the Blind Person

'amátt alyaxáv 'im veeyémk 'et.

was about to sink into the earth, they say.

“Aa'árvək,

“He had a tail,

iisháaly kwaly'ooxóonyts 'aqóolk lóq 'et,” a'ím,

and his fingernails were very long, they say,” she said,

a'íik 'eta.

she said it, they say.

Xavashúum Kulyíi uu'ítsənyts.323

That’s what Xavashúum Kulyíi said.

Iiwáam a'íikəta.324

She said it herself, they say.

“Máany matháwk,325

“He intends to grab you

'amátt maxákəly matakxáv a'ím,”

and take you down under the earth,”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said it.

“Kamawémk

“What would you do

nyaany maxáktan nyaamayémk?

if you were to go down below?

'Atsmamáxanká

(How) would you eat

nyáasily?”

over there?”

a'íikət.

he said, they say.

.

Xavashúum Kulyíits av'áak viiyáanyək,

Xavashúum Kulyíi went walking along,

piipáats oov'ótsk soov'ótsəm,

and there were people standing over there,

aváamk.

and she got there.

Nyaaváamk a'ím,

She got there, and so,

a'íik 'etəma.

she said it, they say.

Nyiiuukanáavək a'ím:

She explained it to them:

“Vaamawíim,

“This is what you do,

vaamawíim,

this is what you do,

moonóok,

you go on doing it,

xuumáar matséwtəxa,”326

and you will make children,”

a'íikəta.

she said, they say.

A'éxaym,

When she said it,

makyík uu'áv aly'émk.

they didn’t believe her at all.

“Kaváarək,

“No,

athúu lya'émxa.”

it won’t happen,”

a'íikəta.327

they said, they say.

.

***

***328

.

Kukumáatt-ts athótəm athúum,

Kukwiimáatt did things, and so,

awíim vanyuuváak:

he went on doing things:

kaawíts atséwk,

he made something,

kaawíts awíim,

he did something,

uuváany,

he went on, until

mattatsaxóxk 'et.

he became exhausted, they say.

Nyaawíim,

When this happened,

'amátt ka'ák,

he stamped on the ground,

awéxaym,

and as soon as he did,

'anyáanyənyts veeyémk 'eta.

the sun went away, they say.

Veeyéməntík 'et.

It went away again, they say.

.

Kumastamxóts masharáyk 'eta.

Kumastamxó got angry, they say.

Nyáany a'íim,

When that happened,

masharáyk,

he got angry,

a'íim,

and he said,

“ 'Anyáats thúutt a'ím av'uuváak 'athutyá!

“I am the one who does more!

'Anyáap nyiikwanáamts!”

I am the important one!”

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Máany 'anyép maxuumáyts.329

“You are my son.

Nyaxuumáyk 'ityá.330

I call you son.

Mashoopóow alyma'émk.

You don’t know anything.

Ka'awémk 'awínypátúm!”

I will do it somehow!”

a'íikəta.

he said, they say.

.

Kumastamxóts

Kumastamxó

'avá kwatiinyáam alyaxávək 'et.

went into the dark house, they say.

Nyaaxávək,

When he went in,

“Kukwiimáatt!” a'íim,

he said, “Kukwiimáatt!”

“Marxókavék!” a'íim,

he said, “Marxókavék!”

nyiishék,

he called them by name,

'atsuurávxá a'íim.

so that they would get sick.

Soonóok 'et.

There they were, they say.

.

Kukwiimáattənyts tsakwshály yaakapéttk 'eta.

Kukwiimáatt became crazy in the head, they say.

.

Nyaayúu,

Well,

'amáynya,

the sky,

'amáynya awíim tsakwíin,

he did something to the sky and made it rotate,

tsakwíink,

he made it rotate,

matxánya 'anyaaxáapk awém 'ím,331

he tried to take it from the north to the west,

athúuk 'et.

(that) was (the situation), they say.

Nyáanyiimánk,

Starting there,

av'áak,

he walked,

'avá kwatiinyáaməny atspámk,

he went out of the dark house,

shaly'áyly kayáamk siiyáak.

he headed for the desert and went along over there.

Siiyáak athúm,

He went along over there, and so,

'anyáavik shathómpk aváamk.

he went towards the east and got there.

Takavék,

He turned,

'anyaaxáap kayáamk.

and he headed west.

'Atsaayúu,

Well,

'amáyəny xáak awíim ashéeməntim athúum,

he had moved the sky in a different direction, and so,

nyiivák 'et.

there it was, they say.

Makyík tsayém aly'émk.332

He couldn’t loosen it at all.

Xwérər a'íi lya'em.

It wouldn’t rotate.

“Nyawíkúum?”

“Can I help you?”

a'íikət,

he said, they say,

Kumastamxóts.

Kumastamxó (did).

.

Kukumáatt-ts anák,

Kukwiimáatt sat down,

'avíi 'amáy anák 'im,

he sat down on top of a mountain, and so,

alynyiithúutsk,

he thought about it,

a'ét.

they say.

“Nyáanya,

“As for that,

piipáa 'atséwənti 'a'ím,”

I intend to make more people,” (he said,)

'atsaayúu 'a'íi tsapéev atháwk,

and he picked up a small stick or something,

nyaayúu mas'ée ashtúum,

and he gathered mud or something,

iisháalyəm shoo'órnya nyáany 'amáyk awíik 'eta,

and he used the tip of his index finger, they say,

kwakapáarnyi atsáam.333

and he put mud on the end of (the stick).

Nyaawíim,

Then,

'a'íinya,

that stick,

aaxweshxwéshk áapk awet.

he threw it spinning away.

Awexáym,

Immediately,

masharáyk 'et.

(the stick) became angry, they say.

Nyáanyəm,

With that,

nyaanyiimánk,

starting at that point,

'aavéts athúuk 'et.

it became a snake, they say.

'Aavé taaxán a'íim 'ityá.

It’s called 'aavé taaxán (rattlesnake), they say.

Mas'éenyənyts athúum,

It was that mud,

nyáany alyuusíirmənyts athúuk 'et.

that’s what became the rattles, they say.

'Aavé,

As for the snake,

'aavé taaxánənyts,

the rattlesnake,

piipáa nyiimashthék 'et.

it was afraid of people, they say.

Ookavék mashthétsapátk,

They in turn were afraid of (the snake),

a'ím,

and so,

piipáanyts ooyóovək aakakyáavək 'et.

the people looked for it and surrounded it, they say.

Athoxáym,

Immediately,

sanya'ák — 'aakóoy tavérək,

it chased after a woman — an old woman,

awéxáym,

it did, and suddenly,

piipáa 'axwáa,

an enemy,

nyáanyts athúum,

that’s what he was,

uuváanyək atháwk 'eta.

he was there and he grabbed (the snake), they say.

Sharéq.

He took hold of it.

Awíi nyaawíim,

He did, and then,

kaawémk aamélk 'et.

somehow he put it around his waist, they say.

Aamél lyavíim.

It was like a belt.

Kukumáatt-ts nyáany nyiiáaym 'ityá.

Kukwiimáatt had given him that (power), they say.

Athúum,

So,

'atsaayúu,

well,

kaawíts awíi nyaa'ím,

when he wanted them to do something,

nyáany nyiiáayəntík 'etá.

he gave them that (power), they say.

***334

***

.

'Aavé taaxánənyts piipáa nyiitsakyíwk 'et.

The rattlesnake bit people, they say.

'Ashéntits Marxókavékts athúuk 'et.

One (of the people he bit) was Marxókavék, they say.

Piipáa tsáaməly a'íim,

All the people said,

“ 'Aavé avány katapúyk!”

“Kill that snake!”

uu'íitsk 'et.

they said it, they say.

A'étəsáa,

However,

Marxókavékts nyáany áar alya'émk,

Marxókavék did not want that,

a'íim,

he said,

nyaawéxaym,

(because) if he were to do it,

vathány,

this one,

piipáa 'axwáanya,

the enemy,

nyáanyts masharáyxa lyavíim.

he would be likely to get angry.

.

Marxókavéts a'íim,

Marxókavék said,

“ 'Anyáats 'apúyxá 'aaly'étk.335

“I think that I will die.

Athúu 'íim avuuváak.”

It is going to happen.”

“Kaváarək,

“No,

tsaváamk mapúyúm,”

it is impossible that you should die,”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

Kukumáatt-ts a'íim.

Kukwiimáatt said it.

.

Nyaamák,

After that,

uuváany,

there he was,

piipáanya nyii'íim:

and he said something to the people:

“ 'Aavé taaxánnya katháwk!

“Get that rattlesnake!

Alyuusíirmənya koomóq!

Pull out his rattles!

Nyáanyi amánk,

From that point on,

piipáa nyiitsakyíwəntixa.

he will not bite people.

Makyík ta'aaláay lya'émxa.

He will not destroy anything.

Apúy lya'émxa.”

No-one will die.”336

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts 'aavé taaxánəny atháwk,

Kukwiimáatt got the rattlesnake,

aaxweshxwéshk,

and he flung it,

matxávik awémk.

he sent it to the north.

'Atsaayúu alyuusíirm aanáwtank a'íik 'et,

The snake made noise with its rattles or something, they say,337

takavék atspák.

and they grew back.338

Atspák a'íim.

He wanted them to grow back.

.

Piipáats siiv'óowk,

Someone was standing over there,

a'íim,

and he said,

“Iiyáanyily,

“In his mouth

atháw alyaskyíitəsh,” 'et.

they are still there,” he said.

Kukumáatt-ts nyaa'ávək awim,

Kukwiimáatt heard him, and so,

atháwəntík 'etá.

he caught the snake again, they say.

Atháwəntík athum,

He caught it again, and so,

iiyáany uutáq ayúu 'ím.

he opened its mouth in order to take a look.

Awexáym,

When he did,

makyík alyuusíirmənyənyts nyiiríish a'íik 'eta.

there were no rattles there at all, they say.

Eethóots nyiiríish a'ím,

There were no teeth,

'atsaayúu kwa'aláayənyts nyiiríish a'íntík 'et.

there was nothing bad either, they say.

.

Nyaatháwk awím,

He picked it up,

'aavé,

the snake,

'aavé taaxán,

the rattlesnake,

nyaawíntik 'eta.

and he did it again, they say.

Aaíimk aaxweshxwéshk,

He just flung it so that it spun uncontrollably,

kúurtan,339

really far,

matxávik awémk.

he sent it to the north.

Aaxweshxwéshnyək,

He flung it so that it spun uncontrollably,

'axá sa'ílyəny alyaxávək 'etá.

and it went into the salt water, they say.

Muuvílytank,

It went really fast,

'axám áamk veeyém,

it swam away,

veeyémxayk nyaakwévək 'et.

it went away and that was the end of it, they say.

'Ís

But

maxák kayáamk viiyáanyək,340

it went straight to the bottom,

nyáasi uuváak,

and it stayed there,

nyaváyk,

it lived there,

asháyk;

and it got fat;

vaanóok 'et.

it was huge, they say.

.

Pa'iipáanyts 'aványi Kumastamxónya tsakakwék a'im,

The people in the house asked Kumastamxó,

“Xalyavímtəm,

“Is it possible

'ats'uurávəxa?

that we will get sick?

'Ats'uurávxaym,

And if we get sick,

makyíts nyiitséevxa'ənká?”

who will cure us?”

.

“Pa'iipáats avoonóo,

“People are around,

nyáany uuwíts a'íts avoonóok,”

they can do that,”

a'ét.

he said.

Kumastamxóts a'íim.

Kumastamxó said it.

.

***341

***

.

“Tsaváamk athúwúm,”

“It is not likely that that would happen,”

uu'íitsk 'eta,

they said, they say,

pa'iipáanyənyts.

the people (did).

“Máanyts miiwáam 'atsnyaamarávəm,342

“When you yourself get sick,

miiwáam mattmatséev alya'emk,” a'ityá.

you can’t even cure yourself,” he said.

.

Kumastamxóts Kwatsáan 'iipátsənya nyiishtúum,

Kumastamxó gathered the Quechan men,

'avá kwatiinyáaməly alyaatsakxávək 'eta.343

and he brought them into the dark house, they say.

“Mátsa,

“As for you,

mátsa wanyuukaváarək,344

I am fond of you,

'atsaayúu tsáaməly nyiinyuukanáavəxá,

and I will tell you everything,

thomkwayúuv alykwa'éma.”345

even (things) that don’t make sense.”

.

Nyaawíim,

Then,

'amátt ampótt mattkwatsapée awíim.

he did a big dust storm.

'Anyáavik amánk,

It started in the east,

viithíit.

and it came this way.

Nyáanyənyts 'anyáa aamáttk 'eta.

That (dust) covered up the sun, they say.

Tiinyáam lyavíik.

It was like night.

“Nyamáam,

“Now,

kaashmátsk!”

sleep!”

a'íik 'et.

he said, they say.

Kumastamxóts a'íim.

Kumastamxó said it.

.

Avatíivək,

They lay there,

shatuumáatsk a'ét.

and they had dreams, they say.

Pa'iipáa 'ashéntəts ayúuxaym,

One person looked, and suddenly,

Kumastamxó eethónyənyts aráavək 'et.

Kumastamxó’s eyes hurt, they say.

Eethó kwa'uur'úurənyts aráavək,

His eyeballs hurt,

aráavəm ayúuk 'et.

and (the person) saw that they hurt, they say.

Nyáanyəm,

At that point,

tsooyóqəny awíim,346

he used his spit,

awéxaym amánk 'et.

and as soon as he used it, it cured them, they say.

Pa'iipáa kwanyaméts Kumastamxó ayúuxaym,

Another person looked at Kumastamxó, and suddenly,

'atsiiráav — ***

a disease — ***

nyatsasháak tuutkyáavanyts arávək 'ét.

his joints hurt, they say.

Apásk;

He pressed on them;

kwarávənyts nyiivák,347

the pain was there,

kwarávəny a'ávək.

and he felt the pain.

Atséevək,

He doctored it,

atséevəm atspák 'eta.

he doctored it and (the pain) came out, they say.

.

Pa'iipáa kwanymé uuyúunyá,

What another person saw

Kumastamxóts —

was that Kumastamxó —

eetóts 'aláayk a'eta.

his stomach had gone bad, they say.

Arávək 'aláayk 'éta.

He was sick and in bad shape, they say.

Kumastamxóts aashváarəm —

Kumastamxó sang —

Kumastamxóts aashváarək a'éta.

Kumastamxó sang, they say.

Aashváarəxáym,

And when he sang,

pa'iipáanyənyts aapúk aashváarənypátk 'etá.

that person sang too, accompanying him, they say.

Aashváarapátk 'etá.

He sang too, they say.

Awéxaym,

He did, and suddenly,

amánk 'ét.

(Kumastamxó) recovered, they say.

.

Pa'iipáats 'atsaayúu xáak nyaa'íim,

When someone said something in a different way,

Kumastamxóts tsanák 'et.

Kumastamxó stopped him, they say.

Tsanákəm,

He stopped him,

pa'iipáa kwanyaméts tsaqwérəntí 'et.

so that another person could speak, they say.

“Maapa'iipáaváts,

“You people,

'atsaayúu 'axóttm ma'étk,”

you say good things,”

nyaa'íim,

he said;

“Kwas'eethée nyamkwanáamts muuthúutsəxa.

“You will be respected doctors.

Pa'iipáats 'atsarávəxáym,

If someone gets sick,

Kwatsáan kwas'eethée aqásəxá.”

he will call a Quechan doctor.”

Marxókavék,

As for Marxókavék,

Marxókavék,

as for Marxókavék,

'aavé tsakyíwm apúyk.348

the snake bit him and he died.

.

Kukwiimáatt-ts a'íim,

Kukwiimáatt said,

“Kathíik,

“Come,

maakwas'eethéeva,349

you doctors,

vathány kuumánk!”

and cure this one!

Pa'iipáa vathány kuumánk!

Cure this person!

Nyáavəts matháavək,” a'éta.

This one is difficult,” he said.

“Nyakór apúyk viithík.

“He is already lying here dead.

'Anyáats nyaatsooyóoym mayúuxá.”

I will show and you will see.”

Nyaa'íim,

Then,

Marxókavék iisháalynya sharéqək 'et.

he grasped Marxókavék’s hands, they say.

Aalynyiithúutsk 'ím.

He thought about it.

Marxókavékts ooyéey lyaskyíik a'ét.

Marxókavék was still breathing, they say.

“Pa'iipáa vatháts apúy lya'émk nyaathúuva.

“This person is not dead.

Ashmáam athótkitya.

He is sleeping.

'Ashamánəxá.”

I will wake him up.”

.

Nyaa'íim,

Then,

nyaa'íim,

then,

shoothómp kwatsuumpápəny,

in (each of) the four directions,

láak a'étk,

he took a step,

av'áa lyavíit.350

as if he were walking.

Takavék,

He went back,

láak a'ím,

and he took a step,

av'áa lyavíit.351

as if he were walking.

Uuthútsənyts tsuumpápk:

He did it four times:

matxávi kayáamk,

he went due north,