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In olden times people
had no canoes, as they have now-a-days, but used big logs for going
about with. They had to trust to the tides and currents to take them to
the islands they wished to visit. How, there lived a man who^e name was
Sowittan, who lived at Chemainus. Word had come to him that at Stitless,
or New Westminster, there dwelt a fair maiden, and he became so eager to
see her that he determined to cross the Gulf, which was almost
impassable on account of the huge and terrible serpents and fish that
lived there. However, nothing daunted, Sowittan started off on his big
log; but when he got to the Gulf he had to turn back, as he could not
cross; so home again he came, and hunted for all the poisonous herbs he
could gather, and tied them into bundles and put them on his log, and
started again. This time he was successful, as he kept the monsters busy
with the bundles of herbs that he threw them, and so crossed the Gulf in
safety. On the North Arm there lived a man called Haffaymult, the first
man who was made there. He had a large family now, and when Sowittan
came he was glad to see him. After many days’ feasting and dancing,
Sowittan claimed the maiden, who was glad to have such a brave husband.
Sowittan now made ready for the voyage home. He collected fresh
poisonous herbs and tied them on; then he and his bride' sat on the log,
and so off for home. The monsters tried to devour them, but the herbs
had the power to quiet them, and so Sowittan crossed the Gulf safely.
The currents took them into all the little bays and harbors. After this
long voyage they reached home and were warmly welcomed by their friends.
One day when Sowittan was busy trying to dry fish, two men appeared
coming down from the clouds. How frightened he was, but they made signs
to him not to be alarmed. Then they asked him what his name was.
“Oh, it is Sowittan, or the man who grumbles.”
“Why, what have you to grumble about?” said they.
“Oh, everything.”
“Well, tell us them, and perhaps we can help you. Our name is Haalees,
or spirit men. Now, you have a wife; you must be enjoying yourself.”
“No, indeed, I have much to trouble about. You see me now trying to dry
this fish; well, it is far too big, and before I have finished, it
begins to decay. The herrings are all too big; everything is too large.
The deer are so big that we cannot eat them, and they have to rot.
Everything was made wrongly; I could do better myself. The mountains are
so big I can’t see over the tops, and so high that I cannot get a breath
of wind from the big sea. Everything is so dry, no rain; and yet the
land is so swampy that every time I take a step I almost fall in. Then I
am too big too.”
After Sowittan had finished his long string of troubles, the Haalees
said:
“Now, Sowittan, let us go over and consult your father-in-law; perhaps
he will not think as you do.” So they all went off on Sowittan’s log,
and went to visit Hanaymult and get his opinion. At first Hanaymult
thought that everything was just right, but maybe the sturgeon were too
large; in fact it was impossible to use them, so fishing was bad.
So the Haalees promised that they would make the world over again so as
to suit them. They gave Sowittan a slingshot and hard black stone.
“Now,” said Haalees, “shoot at the mountains till you are satisfied with
them.”
Then he took the sling and stone and peppered away at the mountains. The
tops flew off and fell into the sea with a tremendous noise; the waters
boiled furiously, and up came islands; that is how there are so many
islands along the coast. The fish died in the sea, and the plains were
burnt up.
“Now, Sowittan, how does this please you?”
“Well, I don’t know yet. I will go to the top of the hills and look if I
can see the big water.”
By and by he came back, quite joyfully. He was almost satisfied.
“Now for the swampy places. Take these slates and stick them in the
ground, and then walk on them and see if you sink.”
So Sowittan did as he was told, and to his joy the plain was made hard
so that he could walk without sinking in the earth. When he returned he
said: “Haalees, this is just what I want. Make me small too, and I shall
be happy.”
So Haalees granted him his wish, and in an instant he grew shorter, but
shouted: “Stop! Stop! I don’t want to be too small.”
So they made him the height that men now grow. After this the Haalees or
spirits went up to Heaven. Sowittan became happy and the father of many
people. |
