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On Valdez Island there
lived a large family. The eldest brother was married, but had only one
child—a boy, a most strange child. As soon as he was able to walk, he
went by himself into the forest, and would remain away all day and
return at night. His mother would place the choicest pieces of meat
before him, but in vain; a morsel of deer’s fat would last him a week.
His mother asked the child why it was he had no appetite for the good
things she laid before him. He replied: “The lovely, sweet smell of the
morning wind, full of the odor of sweet flowers and trees, is food
enough for me.”
Not long after this the
boy failed to come home, so his father and uncles started out in search
of him. They asked thousands of people if they had seen the child, but
all said they had not. The poor parents grieved for five years, and one
morning early, as was her custom, the mother went outside and sat down
to mourn for her lost son. All at once she fancied she heard his voice
calling her. How could it be? The child was dead, but the voice came
nearer, and she listened to what it was saying. The song he sang was
this: “My father and mother, look up now. I have come back to you. I
have seen all the world. Comfort yourselves, for I still live.”
The poor mother could not believe her ears. “If you are my son, show
yourself to me.”
“Alas! I cannot, as the day has dawned. But look up, mother, and you
will see a number of little flies. I am there. If you wish to see me,
mother, come out before the dawn, and I will be able to show you that I
am your son.” With that the voice ceased.
The mother ran in and awakened her husband “Our son has returned, and I
have heard his voice.” How joyful they were, and longed for the next
morning. It was the longest day they had seen.
The next day, before the dawn, both were outside waiting for the son,
who came out of the forest. A shining light was about, and he looked so
grand. They were afraid—surely that beautiful being was not their son.
He ran up and kissed them, and after a long talk he told his father to
build him a new house, made of “sliquis,” or bullrushes. These rushes
are made into fine mats, which are used for lining the lodges. These
mats were to be perfectly new, and the house was to be immense and some
distance from the village; it was also to be without a roof.
THE CHIEF’S DAUGHTER
Now, when the dawn
broke, he disappeared, and the parents set about at once to build this
large house. They called their people and all helped. At last they had
ten acres enclosed in the “sliquis” mats. When all was ready they waited
for the son to come and live in the new dwelling. With the dark he came,
revealing himself in all his splendour. He related his adventures. He
said that the last day he had wandered by himself into the forest, a
monster bird, or Thunder, had carried him away, and that the bird had
taken his eyes out and changed them, and had called him “Scallighan,”
which means “I am a great man— I have great powers and rule the
spirits.” Now Scallighan always kept his eyes shut, and his parents
asked him the reason why.
“If I opened my eyes, the lightning would strike and kill you. I dare
not show my eyes, and if I take off my hat the thunder comes.” He was a
terrible power.
Scallighan asked his father which was the highest mountain on the
island. His father said that Salt Spring Island was the highest. “I will
go there, and do you make me a large house there, as I do not like this
place; it is too near the people.”
So the father and five uncles went to work and pulled the mats down and
carried them to Salt Spring Mountain, and there put up the house. When
it was ready, Scallighan came down, and was pleased with the new house.
“Now, father, I wish to marry, so go to Hanaimo and ask the Chief for
his daughter. First take off my hat carefully and cover it well, so that
no one sees it.”
Now, the hat was very peculiar looking, and had four eagles’ feathers
stuck round it.
“Show the Chief my hat if he refuses to let my daughter come with you;
show only a little of it, and you will see what happens.”
So the father and uncles went off in their canoes to Nanaimo, to ask the
Chief there for his daughter.
When they asked for the young girl, the Chief was very angry, and
demanded why the son did not come himself to ask for his daughter. They
might go away again. Then Scallighan’s father said:
“Here is my son’s hat; if I show it to you, there will be much danger.
You had better let the maid come with us.”
The Chief was enraged, and scoffed at the power of the hat.
So the father uncovered a little of the hat, and then the thunder and
lightning came and burnt up the Chief’s house; and the old father
quickly covered the hat, lest the people should be killed. How
frightened were all around, and the Chief at once gave his daughter, and
told them to be gone. So they went home and took the bride with them.
The father restored the hat to Scallighan, who was rejoiced with his
bride. He himself was invisible to her.
The neighbouring tribes, hearing of these wonderful doings, brought
their daughters as peace offerings to Scallighan. There were two hundred
young women in the vast lodge of Scallighan. Now, there was no roof over
the lodge, so that when he opened his eyes the lightning went up and did
no harm. People were terrified, and begged that Scallighan might be
destroyed; but how could they kill the man who had such power, and who
could become invisible.
At last two brothers who lived in Cowichan determined to rid the land of
thunder and lightning, and made preparations for their warfare. They put
on their war dresses, and each carried a magic sword, made out of elk
horn. It had wonderful powers.
Now, the spirits told Scallighan that the two men were coming to kill
him, so he waited for them. After a long climb they reached the house of
sliquis, and called aloud for Scallighan to come out; and show himself,
so that they might fight. Scallighan replied: “I am here; come this
way.” So the two men went in the direction of the voice. They saw no
one. Suddenly Scallighan opened his eyes and took off his hat and what a
terrible storm took place! The lightning killed the younger brother, and
as he fell, the elder seized the body and held it as a shield, and went
on to give battle. Scallighan became visible, and the two fought. At
last the magic sword struck Scallighan and killed him, and his spirit
flew off as a great bird. The young conqueror released all the wives
from this huge lodge, and they all went to their old homes.
Whyuctan Swalamesett, or Tom James, and his family come from this
country, and it is called “Taatka.” |
