Preface

InthebeginningoftheNew—making，theancientfatherslivedsuccessivelyinfourcavesintheFourfold—containing—earth。Thefirstwasofsootyblackness，blackasachimneyatnighttime；thesecond，darkasthenightinthestormyseason；thethird，likeavalleyinstarlight；thefourth，withalightlikethedawning。Thentheycameupinthenight—shineintotheWorldofKnowingandSeeing。

SorunstheZunimyth，andittypifieswellthementaldevelopment，insight，andbeautyofspeechoftheIndiantribesalongthePacificCoast，fromthoseofAlaskainthefar—awayNorthland，withhalfoflifespentinactualdarknessandmorethanhalfinthestruggleforexistenceagainstthecoldandthestormsloosedbyfatalcuriosityfromthebear’sbagofbitter，icywinds，totheexquisiteimageryoftheZunisandotherdeserttribes，ontheirsunnyplainsintheSouthland。

Itwasinthenight—shineofthissouthernland，withitsclear，dryairandbrilliantstars，thattheIndians，lookingupattheheavensabovethem，toldthestoryofthebagofstarsofUtset，theFirstMother，whogavetothescarabbeetle，whenthefloodscame，thebagofStarPeople，sendinghimfirstintotheworldabove。Itwasalongclimbtotheworldaboveandthetiredlittlefellow，oncesafe，satdownbythesack。

Afterawhilehecutatinyholeinthebag，justtoseewhatwasinit，buttheStarPeopleflewoutandfilledtheheavenseverywhere。Yethesavedafewstarsbygraspingtheneckofthesack，andsatthere，frightenedandsad，whenUtset，theFirstMother，askedwhathehaddonewiththebeautifulStarPeople。

TheSky—fatherhimself，inthoseearlyyearsoftheNew—making，spreadouthishandwiththepalmdownward，andintoallthewrinklesofhishandsetthesemblanceofshiningyellowcorn—grains，gleaminglikesparksoffireinthedarkoftheearlyWorld—dawn。"See，"saidSky—fathertoEarth—mother，"ourchildrenshallbeguidedbythesewhentheSun—fatherisnotnearandthymountainterracesareasdarknessitself。Thenshallourchildrenbeguidedbylight。"SoSky—fathercreatedthestars。Thenhesaid，"Andevenasthesegrainsgleamupwardfromthewater，soshallseedgrainlikethemspringupfromtheearthwhentouchedbywater，tonourishourchildren。"AndhecreatedthegoldenSeed—stuffofthecorn。

ItisaroundthebeautifulCornMaidensthatperhapsthemostdelicateofallimageryclings，Maidensoffendedwhenthedancerssoughttheirpresencealltoofreely，nolongerholdingthemsopreciousasintheoldentime，sothat，inwhitegarments，theybecameinvisibleinthethickeningwhitemists。Thensadlyandnoiselesslytheystoleinamongstthepeopleandlaidtheircornwandsdownamongstthetrays，andlaidtheirwhitebroideredgarmentsthereon，asmotherslaysoftkiltingovertheirbabes。Evenasthemistsbecamethey，andwiththemistsdrifting，fledaway，tothesouthSummer—land。

TheybeganthesearchfortheCornMaidens，foundatlastonlybyPaiyatuma，thegodofdawn，fromwhoseflutecamewonderfulmusic，asofliquidvoicesincaverns，ortheechoofwomen’slaughterinwatervases，heardonlybymenofnightsastheywanderedupanddowntherivertrail。

Whenhepausedtorestonhisjourney，playingonhispaintedflute，butterfliesandbirdssoughthim，andhesentthembeforetoseektheMaidens，evenbeforetheycouldhearthemusicofhissong—sound。AndtheMaidensfilledtheircoloredtrayswithseed—cornfromtheirfields，andoverallspreadbroideredmantles，broideredwiththebrightcolorsandthecreaturesignsoftheSummer—land，andthusfollowinghim，journeyedonlyatnightanddawn，asthedeaddo，andthestarsalso。

BacktotheSeedPeopletheycame，butonlytogivetotheancientsthepreciousseed，andthishavingbeengiven，thedarknessofnightfellaroundthem。Asshadowsindeepnight，sotheseMaidensoftheSeedofCorn，thebelovedandbeautiful，wereseennomoreofmen。ButShutsukawalkedbehindtheMaidens，whistlingshrillyastheyspedsouthward，evenasthefrostwindwhistleswhenthecornisgatheredaway，amongthelonecanesandthedryleavesofagleanedfield。

ThemythsofCalifornia，ingeneral，areofthesametypeasthosegiveninaprecedingvolumeonthemythsofthePacificNorthwest。IndeedmanyofthemythsofNorthernCaliforniantribesaresoobviouslythesameasthoseoftheModocsandKlamathIndiansthattheyhavenotbeenrepeated。CoyoteandFoxreignsupreme，astheydoalongtheentirecoast，thoughthebirdsoftheairtakeagreaterpartinthecreationofthings。Thesestoriesarequaintandwhimsical，buttheylackthebeautyofthemythsofthedeserttribes。ThereisnothinginallCalifornianmyths，sofarasIhavestudiedthem，whichinanywaycompareswiththeoneoftheCornMaidens，referredtoabove，ortheSiamythsoftheCloudPeople。Inthecompilationofthisvolume，thesameideahasgovernedasinthetwoprecedingvolumes？simplythepreparationofavolumeofthequainter，purermyths，suitableforgeneralreading，authentic，andwithillustrationsofthecountryportrayed，butwithnopretensionstobeingapurelyscientificpieceofwork。Scientificpeopleknowwellthegovernmentdocumentsandreportsoflearnedsocietieswhichcontainmythsofallkinds，good，bad，andindifferent。

Butthevolumesofthisseriesareintendedforpopularuse。Changeshavebeenmadeonlyinabridgmentsoflongconversationsandofceremonialdetailswhichdetractedfromthemythasamyth，eventhoughofgreatethnologicalimportance。

EspecialcreditisdueinthisvolumetotheworkoftheethnologistswhoseworkhasappearedinthepublicationsoftheSmithsonianInstitution，andtheU。S。GeographicalandGeologicalSurveysWestoftheRockyMountains：toMrs。MathildaCoxStevensonfortheSiamyths，andtothelateJamesStevensonfortheNavajomythsandsandpainting；

tothelateFrankHamiltonCushingfortheZunimyths，tothelateFrankRussellforthePimamyths，tothelateStephenPowersfortheCalifornianmyths，andalsotoJamesMooneyandCosmosMindeleff。TherecentpublicationsoftheUniversityofCaliforniaonthemythsofthetribesofthatStatehavenotbeenincluded。

ThanksarealsoduetotheSmithsonianInstitutionfortheillustrationsaccreditedtothem，totheCarnegieInstitutionofWashingtonforillustrationsfromtheDesertBotanicalLaboratoryatTucson，Arizona，andtoMr。FerdinardEllermanoftheMountWilsonObservatoryandtoothers。

K。B。J。

DepartmentofHistory，UniversityofWashington。

TableofContentsTheBeginningofNewness—Zuni（NewMexico）

TheMenoftheEarlyTimes—Zuni（NewMexico）

CreationandLongevity—Achomawi（PitRiver，Cal。）

OldMolesCreation—Shastika（Cal。）

TheCreationoftheWorld—Pima（Arizona）

Spider’sCreation—Sia（NewMexico）

TheGodsandtheSixRegionsHowOldManAboveCreatedtheWorld—Shastika（Cal。）

TheSearchfortheMiddleandtheHardeningoftheWorld—Zuni（NewMexico）

OriginofLight—Gallinomero（RussianRiver，Cal。）

Pokoh，theOldMan—PaiUte（nearKernRiver，Cal。）

ThunderandLightning—Maidu（nearSacramentoValley。Cal。）

CreationofMan—Miwok（SanJoaquinValley，Cal。）

TheFirstManandWoman—Nishinam（nearBearRiver，Cal。）

OldManAboveandtheGrizzlies—Shastika（Cal。）

TheCreationofMan—kindandtheFlood—Pima（Arizona）

TheBirdsandtheFlood—Pima（Arizona）

LegendoftheFlood—Ashochimi（CoastIndians，Cal。）

TheGreatFlood—Sia（NewMexico）

TheFloodandtheTheftofFire—Tolowa（DelNorteCo。，Cal。）

LegendoftheFloodinSacramentoMaiduValley—（nearSacramento，Cal。）

TheFableoftheAnimals—Karok（nearKlamathRiver，Cal。）

CoyoteandSun—PaiUte（nearKernRiver，Cal。）

TheCourseoftheSun—Sia（NewMexico）

TheFoxesandtheSun—Yurok（nearKlamathRiver，Cal。）

TheTheftofFire—Karok（nearKlamathRiver，Cal。）

TheTheftofFire—Sia（NewMexico）

TheEarth—hardeningaftertheFlood—Sia（NewMexico）

TheOriginsoftheTotemsandofNames—Zuni（NewMexico）

TraditionsofWanderings—Hopi（Arizona）

TheMigrationoftheWaterPeople—Walpi（Arizona）

CoyoteandtheMesquiteBeans—Pima（Arizona）

OriginoftheSierraNevadasandCoastRange—Yokuts（nearFresno，Cal。）

YosemiteValleyanditsIndianNamesLegendofTu—tok—a—nu’—la（ElCapitan）—YosemiteValleyLegendofTis—se’—yak（SouthDomeandNorthDome）YosemiteValleyHistoricTraditionoftheUpperTuolumne—YosemiteValleyCaliforniaBigTrees—PaiUte（nearKernRiver，Cal。）

TheChildrenofCloud—Pima（Arizona）

TheCloudPeople—Sia（NewMexico）

RainSong—Sia（NewMexico）

RainSongRainSong—Sia（NewMexico）

TheCornMaidens—Zuni（NewMexico）

TheSearchfortheCornMaidens—Zuni（NewMexico）

HasjeltiandHostjoghon—Navajo（NewMexico）

TheSong—hunter—Navajo（NewMexico）

SandPaintingoftheSong—hunter—NavajoTheGuidingDuckandtheLakeofDeath—Zuni（NewMexico）

TheBoywhoBecameaGod—Navajo（NewMexico）

OriginofClearLake—Patwin（SacramentoValley，Cal。）

TheGreatFire—Patwin（SacramentoValley，Cal。）

OriginoftheRavenandtheMacaw—Zuni（NewMexico）

CoyoteandtheHare—Sia（NewMexico）

CoyoteandtheQuails—Pima（Arizona）

CoyoteandtheFawns—Sia（NewMexico）

HowtheBluebirdGotitsColor—Pima（Arizona）

Coyote’sEyes—Pima（Arizona）

CoyoteandtheTortillas—Pima（Arizona）

CoyoteasaHunter—Sia（NewMexico）

HowtheRattlesnakeLearnedtoBite—Pima（Arizona）

CoyoteandtheRattlesnake—Sia（NewMexico）

OriginoftheSaguaroandPaloVerdeCacti—Pima（Arizona）

TheThirstyQuails—Pima（Arizona）

TheBoyandtheBeast—Pima（Arizona）

WhytheApachesareFierce—Pima（Arizona）

SpeechontheWarpath—Pima（Arizona）

TheSpiritLand—Gallinomero（RussianRiver，Cal。）

SongoftheGhostDance—PaiUte（KernRiver，Cal。）

TheBeginningofNewnessZuni（NewMexico）

BeforethebeginningoftheNew—making，theAll—fatherFatheralonehadbeing。Throughagestherewasnothingelseexceptblackdarkness。

InthebeginningoftheNew—making，theAll—fatherFatherthoughtoutwardinspace，andmistswerecreatedandup—lifted。ThusthroughhisknowledgehemadehimselftheSunwhowasthuscreatedandisthegreatFather。Thedarkspacesbrightenedwithlight。Thecloudmiststhickenedandbecamewater。

Fromhisflesh，theSun—fathercreatedtheSeed—stuffofworlds，andhehimselfresteduponthewaters。Andthesetwo，theFour—fold—containingEarth—motherandtheAll—coveringSky—father，thesurpassingbeings，withpowerofchangingtheirformsevenassmokechangesinthewind，werethefatherandmotherofthesoulbeings。

Thenasmanandwomanspokethesetwotogether。"Behold!"saidEarth—mother，asagreatterracedbowlappearedathand，andwithinitwater，"Thisshallbethehomeofmytinychildren。Ontherimofeachworld—countryinwhichtheywander，terracedmountainsshallstand，makinginoneregionmanymountainsbywhichonecountryshallbeknownfromanother。"

Thenshespatonthewaterandstruckitandstirreditwithherfingers。Foamgatheredabouttheterracedrim，mountinghigherandhigher。Thenwithherwarmbreathsheblewacrosstheterraces。Whiteflecksoffoambrokeawayandfloatedoverthewater。ButthecoldbreathofSky—fathershatteredthefoamanditfelldownwardinfinemistandspray。

ThenEarth—motherspoke：

"Evensoshallwhitecloudsfloatupfromthegreatwatersatthebordersoftheworld，andclusteringaboutthemountainterracesofthehorizon，shallbebrokenandhardenedbythycold。Thenwilltheysheddownward，inrain—spray，thewateroflife，evenintothehollowplacesofmylap。Forinmylapshallnestleourchildren，man—kindandcreature—kind，forwarmthinthycoldness。"

SoevennowthetreesonhighmountainsnearthecloudsandSky—father，crouchlowtowardEarthmotherforwarmthandprotection。WarmisEarth—mother，coldourSky—father。

ThenSky—fathersaid，"Evenso。YetI，too，willbehelpfultoourchildren。"Thenhespreadhishandoutwiththepalmdownwardandintoallthewrinklesofhishandhesetthesemblanceofshiningyellowcorn—grains；inthedarkoftheearlyworld—dawntheygleamedlikesparksoffire。

"See，"hesaid，pointingtothesevengrainsbetweenhisthumbandfourfingers，"ourchildrenshallbeguidedbythesewhentheSun—fatherisnotnearandthyterracesareasdarknessitself。Thenshallourchildrenbeguidedbylights。"SoSky—fathercreatedthestars。Thenhesaid，"Andevenasthesegrainsgleamupfromthewater，soshallseedgrainlikethemspringupfromtheearthwhentouchedbywater，tonourishourchildren。"Andthustheycreatedtheseed—corn。Andinmanyotherwaystheydevisedfortheirchildren，thesoul—beings。

Butthefirstchildren，inacaveoftheearth，wereunfinished。Thecavewasofsootyblackness，blackasachimneyatnighttime，andfoul。

Loudbecametheirmurmuringsandlamentations，untilmanysoughttoescape，growingwiserandmoreman—like。

Buttheearthwasnotthenaswenowseeit。ThenSun—fathersentdowntwosons（sonsalsooftheFoam—cap），theBelovedTwain，TwinBrothersofLight，yetElderandYounger，theRightandtheLeft，liketoquestionandanswerindecidinganddoing。TothemtheSun—fatherimpartedhisownwisdom。Hegavethemthegreatcloud—bow，andforarrowsthethunderboltsofthefourquarters。Forbuckler，theyhadthefog—makingshield，spunandwovenofthefloatingcloudsandspray。Theshieldsupportsitsbearer，ascloudsaresupportedbythewind，yethidesitsbeareralso。Andhegavetothemthefathershipandcontrolofmenandofallcreatures。ThentheBelovedTwain，withtheirgreatcloud—bowliftedtheSky—fatherintothevaultoftheskies，thattheearthmightbecomewarmandfitterformenandcreatures。Thenalongthesun—seekingtrail，theyspedtothemountainswestward。Withmagicknivestheyspreadopenthedepthsofthemountainanduncoveredthecaveinwhichdwelttheunfinishedmenandcreatures。Sotheydweltwithmen，learningtoknowthem，andseekingtoleadthemout。

Nowthereweregrowingthingsinthedepths，likegrassesandvines。SotheBelovedTwainbreathedonthestems，growingtalltowardthelightasgrassiswonttodo，makingthemstronger，andtwistingthemupwarduntiltheyformedagreatladderbywhichmenandcreaturesascendedtoasecondcave。

Uptheladderintothesecondcave—world，menandthebeingscrowded，followingcloselytheTwoLittlebutMightyOnes。Yetmanyfellbackandwerelostinthedarkness。Theypeopledtheunder—worldfromwhichtheyescapedinaftertime，amidterribleearthshakings。

Inthissecondcaveitwasasdarkasthenightofastormyseason，butlargerofspaceandhigher。Hereagainmenandthebeingsincreased，andtheircomplainingsgrewloud。SotheTwainagainincreasedthegrowthoftheladder，andagainledmenupward，notallatonce，butinsixbands，tobecomethefathersofthesixkindsofmen，theyellow，thetawnygray，thered，thewhite，theblack，andthemingled。Andthistimealsomanywerelostorleftbehind。

Nowthethirdgreatcavewaslargerandlighter，likeavalleyinstarlight。Andagaintheyincreasedinnumber。AndagaintheTwoledthemoutintoafourthcave。Hereitwaslightlikedawning，andmenbegantoperceiveandtolearnvariously，accordingtotheirnatures，whereforetheTwaintaughtthemfirsttoseektheSun—father。

Thenasthelastcavebecamefilledandmenlearnedtounderstand，theTwoledthemforthagainintothegreatupperworld，whichistheWorldofKnowingSeeing。

TheMenoftheEarlyTimesZuni（NewMexico）

Eightyearswasbutfourdaysandfournightswhentheworldwasnew。Itwaswhilesuchdaysandnightscontinuedthatmenwereledout，inthenight—shineoftheWorldofSeeing。Forevenwhentheysawthegreatstar，theythoughtittheSun—fatherhimself，itsoburnedtheireye—balls。

Menandcreaturesweremorealikethenthannow。Ourfatherswereblack，likethecavestheycamefrom；theirskinswerecoldandscalylikethoseofmudcreatures；theireyesweregoggledlikeanowl’s；theirearswerelikethoseofcavebats；theirfeetwerewebbedlikethoseofwalkersinwetandsoftplaces；theyhadtails，longorshort，astheywereoldoryoung。Mencrouchedwhentheywalked，orcrawledalongthegroundlikelizards。Theyfearedtowalkstraight，butcrouchedasbeforetimetheyhadintheircaveworlds，thattheymightnotstumbleorfallintheuncertainlight。

Whenthemorningstararose，theyblinkedexcessivelywhentheybehelditsbrightnessandcriedoutthatnowsurelytheFatherwascoming。ButitwasonlytheelderoftheBrightOnes，heraldingwithhisshieldofflametheapproachoftheSun—father。Andwhen，lowdownintheeast，theSun—fatherhimselfappeared，thoughshroudedinthemistoftheworld—waters，theywereblindedandheatedbyhislightandglory。Theyfelldownwallowingandcoveredtheireyeswiththeirhandsandarms，yeteverastheylookedtowardthelight，theystruggledtowardtheSunasmothsandothernightcreaturesseekthelightofacampfire。Thustheybecameusedtothelight。Butwhentheyroseandwalkedstraight，nolongerbending，andlookeduponeachother，theysoughttoclothethemselveswithgirdlesandgarmentsofbarkandrushes。Andwhenbywalkingonlyupontheirhinderfeettheywerebruisedbystoneandsand，theyplaitedsandalsofyuccafibre。

CreationandLongevityAchomawi（PitRiver，Cal。）

Coyotebeganthecreationoftheearth，butEaglecompletedit。Coyotescratcheditupwithhispawsoutofnothingness，butEaglecomplainedtherewerenomountainsforhimtoperchon。SoCoyotemadehills，buttheywerenothighenough。ThereforeEaglescratchedupgreatridges。

WhenEagleflewoverthem，hisfeathersdroppeddown，tookroot，andbecametrees。Thepinfeathersbecamebushesandplants。

CoyoteandFoxtogethercreatedman。Theyquarrelledastowhethertheyshouldletmenlivealwaysornot。Coyotesaid，"Iftheywanttodie，letthemdie。"Foxsaid，"Iftheywanttocomeback，letthemcomeback。"ButCoyote’smedicinewasstronger，andnobodyevercameback。

Coyotealsobroughtfireintotheworld，fortheIndianswerefreezing。

Hejourneyedfartothewest，toaplacewheretherewasfire，stolesomeofit，andbroughtithomeinhisears。Hekindledafireinthemountains，andtheIndianssawthesmokeofit，andwentupandgotfire。

OldMole’sCreationShastika（Cal。）

Long，longago，beforetherewasanyearth，OldMoleburrowedunderneathSomewhere，andthrewuptheearthwhichformstheworld。ThenGreatMancreatedthepeople。ButtheIndianswerecold。

NowinthecastgleamedthewhiteFireStone。ThereforeCoyotejourneyedeastward，andbroughtbacktheFireStonefortheIndians。Sopeoplehadfire。

Inthebeginning，Sunhadninebrothers，allflaminghotlikehimself。

ButCoyotekilledtheninebrothersandsosavedtheworldfromburningup。ButMoonalsohadninebrothersallmadeofice，likehimself，andtheNightPeoplealmostfrozetodeath。ThereforeCoyotewentawayoutontheeasternedgeoftheworldwithhisflint—stoneknife。Heheatedstonestokeephishandswarm，andastheMoonsarose，hekilledoneafteranotherwithhisflint—stoneknife，untilhehadslainnineofthem。Thusthepeopleweresavedfromfreezingatnight。

Whenitrains，someIndian，sickinheaven，isweeping。Long，longago，therewasagoodyoungIndianonearth。WhenhediedtheIndiansweptsothatafloodcameupontheearth，anddrownedallpeopleexceptonecouple。

TheCreationoftheWorldPima（Arizona）

Inthebeginningtherewasnothingatallexceptdarkness。Allwasdarknessandemptiness。Foralong，longwhile，thedarknessgathereduntilitbecameagreatmass。OverthisthespiritofEarthDoctordriftedtoandfrolikeafluffybitofcottoninthebreeze。ThenEarthDoctordecidedtomakeforhimselfanabidingplace。Sohethoughtwithinhimself，"Comeforth，somekindofplant，"andthereappearedthecreosotebush。Heplacedthisbeforehimandsetitupright。Butitatoncefellover。Hesetituprightagain；againitfell。Soitfelluntilthefourthtimeitremainedupright。ThenEarthDoctortookfromhisbreastalittledustandflatteneditintoacake。Whenthedustcakewasstill，hedanceduponit，singingamagicsong。

Nexthecreatedsomeblackinsectswhichmadeblackgumonthecreosotebush。Thenhemadeatermitewhichworkedwiththesmallearthcakeuntilitgrewverylarge。Ashesanganddanceduponit，theflatWorldstretchedoutonallsidesuntilitwasaslargeasitisnow。Thenhemadearoundsky—covertofitoverit，roundlikethehousesofthePimas。Buttheearthshookandstretched，sothatitwasunsafe。SoEarthDoctormadeagrayspiderwhichwastospinawebaroundtheedgesoftheearthandsky，fasteningthemtogether。Whenthiswasdone，theearthgrewfirmandsolid。

EarthDoctormadewater，mountains，trees，grass，andweeds—madeeverythingasweseeitnow。Butallwasstillinkyblackness。Thenhemadeadish，pouredwaterintoit，anditbecameice。Hethrewthisroundblockoficefartothenorth，anditfellattheplacewheretheearthandskywerewoventogether。Atoncetheicebegantogleamandshine。Wecallitnowthesun。Itrosefromthegroundinthenorthupintotheskyandthenfellback。EarthDoctortookitandthrewittothewestwheretheearthandskyweresewntogether。Itroseintotheskyandagainslidbacktotheearth。Thenhethrewittothefarsouth，butitslidbackagaintotheflatearth。Thenatlasthethrewittotheeast。Itrosehigherandhigherintheskyuntilitreachedthehighestpointintheroundbluecoverandbegantoslidedownontheotherside。Andsothesundoesevenyet。

ThenEarthDoctorpouredmorewaterintothedishanditbecameice。Hesangamagicsong，andthrewtheroundballoficetothenorthwheretheearthandskyarewoventogether。Itgleamedandshone，butnotsobrightlyasthesun。Itbecamethemoon，anditroseinthesky，butfellbackagain，justasthesunhaddone。Sohethrewtheballtothewest，andthentothesouth，butitslidbackeachtimetotheearth。

Thenhethrewittotheeast，anditrosetothehighestpointinthesky—coverandbegantoslidedownontheotherside。Andsoitdoesevento—day，followingthesun。

ButEarthDoctorsawthatwhenthesunandmoonwerenotinthesky，allwasinkydarkness。Sohesangamagicsong，andtooksomewaterintohismouthandblewitintothesky，inaspray，tomakelittlestars。Thenhetookhismagiccrystalandbrokeitintopiecesandthrewthemintothesky，tomakethelargerstars。Nexthetookhiswalkingstickandplacedashesontheendofit。ThenhedrewitacrosstheskytoformtheMilkyWay。SoEarthDoctormadeallthestars。

Spider’sCreationSia（NewMexico）

Inthebeginning，long，longago，therewasbutonebeinginthelowerworld。Thiswasthespider，Sussistinnako。Atthattimetherewerenootherinsects，nobirds，animals，oranyotherlivingcreature。

Thespiderdrewalineofmealfromnorthtosouthandthencrosseditwithanotherlinerunningeastandwest。Oneachsideofthefirstline，northofthesecond，heplacedtwosmallparcels。TheywerepreciousbutnooneknowswhatwasinthemexceptSpider。Thenhesatdownneartheparcelsandbegantosing。Themusicwaslowandsweetandthetwoparcelsaccompaniedhim，byshakinglikerattles。Thentwowomenappeared，onefromeachparcel。

Inashorttimepeopleappearedandbeganwalkingaround。Thenanimals，birds，andinsectsappeared，andthespidercontinuedtosinguntilhiscreationwascomplete。

Buttherewasnolight，andasthereweremanypeople，theydidnotpassaboutmuchforfearoftreadinguponeachother。Thetwowomenfirstcreatedwerethemothersofall。OnewasnamedUtsetandsheasthemotherofallIndians。TheotherwasNow—utset，andshewasthemotherofallothernations。Whileitwasstilldark，thespiderdividedthepeopleintoclans，sayingtosome，"YouareoftheCornclan，andyouarethefirstofall。"Toothershesaid，"YoubelongtotheCoyoteclan。"Sohedividedthemintotheirclans，theclansoftheBear，theEagle，andotherclans。

AfterSpiderhadnearlycreatedtheearth，Ha—arts，hethoughtitwouldbewelltohaveraintowaterit，sohecreatedtheCloudPeople，theLightningPeople，theThunderPeople，andtheRainbowPeople，toworkforthepeopleofHa—arts，theearth。Hedividedthiscreationintosixparts，andeachhaditshomeinaspringintheheartofagreatmountainuponwhosesummitwasagianttree。OnewasinthesprucetreeontheMountainoftheNorth；anotherinthepinetreeontheMountainoftheWest；anotherintheoaktreeontheMountainoftheSouth；andanotherintheaspentreeontheMountainoftheEast；thefifthwasonthecedartreeontheMountainoftheZenith；andthelastinanoakontheMountainoftheNadir。

Thespiderdividedtheworldintothreeparts：Ha—arts，theearth；

Tinia，themiddleplain；andHu—wa—ka，theupperplain。ThenthespidergavetothesePeopleoftheCloudsandtotherainbow，Tinia，themiddleplain。

Nowitwasstilldark，butthepeopleofHa—artsmadehousesforthemselvesbydiggingintherocksandtheearth。Theycouldnotbuildhousesastheydonow，becausetheycouldnotsee。InashorttimeUtsetandNow—utsettalkedmuchtoeachother，saying，"Wewillmakelight，thatourpeoplemaysee。Wecannottellthepeoplenow，butto—morrowwillbeagooddayandthedayafterto—morrowwillbeagoodday，"meaningthattheirthoughtsweregood。Sotheyspokewithonetongue。Theysaid，"Nowalliscoveredwithdarkness，butafterawhilewewillhavelight。"

Thenthesetwomothers，beinginspiredbySussistinnako，thespider，madethesunfromwhiteshell，turkis，redstone，andabaloneshell。

Aftermakingthesun，theycarriedhimtotheeastandcampedthere，sincetherewerenohouses。Thenextmorningtheyclimbedtothetopofahighmountainanddroppedthesundownbehindit。Afteratimehebegantoascend。Whenthepeoplesawthelighttheywerehappy。

Whenthesunwasfaroff，hisfacewasblue；ashecamenearer，thefacegrewbrighter。Yettheydidnotseethesunhimself，butonlyalargemaskwhichcoveredhiswholebody。

Thepeoplesawthattheworldwaslargeandthecountrybeautiful。Whenthetwomothersreturnedtothevillage，theysaidtothepeople，"Wearethemothersofall。"

Thesunlightedtheworldduringtheday，buttherewasnolightatnight。Sothetwomotherscreatedthemoonfromaslightlyblackstone，manykindsofyellowstone，turkis，andaredstone，thattheworldmightbelightedatnight。Butthemoontravelledslowlyanddidnotalwaysgivelight。ThenthetwomotherscreatedtheStarPeopleandmadetheireyesofsparklingwhitecrystalthattheymighttwinkleandbrightentheworldatnight。WhentheStarPeoplelivedinthelowerworldtheyweregatheredintobeautifulgroups；theywerenotscatteredaboutastheyareintheupperworld。

TheGodsandtheSixRegionsInancienttimes，Po—shai—an—ki—a，thefatherofthesacredbands，ortribes，livedwithhisfollowersintheCityofMists，theMiddlePlace，guardedbysixwarriors，thepreygods。TowardtheNorth，hewasguardedbyLongTail，themountainlion；WestbyClumsyFoot，thebear；SouthbyBlack—MarkFace，thebadger；EastbyHangTail，thewolf；abovebyWhiteCap，theeagle；belowbyMole。

Sowhenhewasabouttogoforthintotheworld，hedividedtheearthintosixregions：North，theDirectionoftheSweptorBarrenPlains；

West，theDirectionoftheHomeoftheWaters；South，thePlaceoftheBeautifulRed；East，theDirectionoftheHomeofDay；upperregions，theDirectionoftheHomeoftheHigh；lowerregions，theDirectionoftheHomeoftheLow。

HowOldManAboveCreatedtheWorldShastika（Cal。）

Long，longago，whentheworldwassonewthateventhestarsweredark，itwasvery，veryflat。Chareya，OldManAbove，couldnotseethroughthedarktothenew，flatearth。Neithercouldhestepdowntoitbecauseitwassofarbelowhim。Withalargestoneheboredaholeinthesky。Thenthroughtheholehepusheddownmassesoficeandsnow，untilagreatpyramidrosefromtheplain。OldManAboveclimbeddownthroughtheholehehadmadeinthesky，steppingfromcloudtocloud，untilhecouldputhisfootontopthemassoficeandsnow。Thenwithonelongstephereachedtheearth。

Thesunshonethroughtheholeintheskyandbegantomelttheiceandsnow。Itmadeholesintheiceandsnow。Whenitwassoft，Chareyaboredwithhisfingerintotheearth，hereandthere，andplantedthefirsttrees。Streamsfromthemeltingsnowwateredthenewtreesandmadethemgrow。Thenhegatheredtheleaveswhichfellfromthetreesandblewuponthem。Theybecamebirds。Hetookastickandbrokeitintopieces。

Outofthesmallendhemadefishesandplacedtheminthemountainstreams。Ofthemiddleofthestick，hemadealltheanimalsexceptthegrizzlybear。Fromthebigendofthestickcamethegrizzlybear，whowasmademasterofall。Grizzlywaslargeandstrongandcunning。Whentheearthwasnewhewalkedupontwofeetandcarriedalargeclub。SostrongwasGrizzlythatOldManAbovefearedthecreaturehehadmade。Therefore，sothathemightbesafe，Chareyahollowedoutthepyramidoficeandsnowasatepee。Therehelivedforthousandsofsnows。TheIndiansknewhelivedtherebecausetheycouldseethesmokecurlingfromthesmokeholeofhistepee。Whenthepale—facecame，OldManAbovewentaway。Thereisnolongeranysmokefromthesmokehole。WhitemencallthetepeeMountShasta。

TheSearchfortheMiddleandtheHardeningoftheWorldZuni（NewMexico）

Asitwaswiththefirstmenandcreatures，soitwaswiththeworld。Itwasyoungandunripe。Earthquakesshooktheworldandrentit。Demonsandmonstersoftheunder—worldfledforth。Creaturesbecamefierce，beastsofprey，andothersturnedtimid，becomingtheirquarry。

Wretchednessandhungeraboundedandblackmagic。Fearwaseverywhereamongthem，sothepeople，indreadoftheirpreciouspossessions，becamewanderers，livingontheseedsofgrass，eatersofdeadandslainthings。Yet，guidedbytheBelovedTwain，theysoughtinthelightandunderthepathwayoftheSun，theMiddleoftheworld，overwhichalonetheycouldfindtheearthatrest（1）。

Whenthetremblingsgrewstillforatime，thepeoplepausedattheFirstofSittingPlaces。Yettheywerestillpooranddefencelessandunskilled，andtheworldstillmoistandunstable。Demonsandmonstersfledfromtheearthintimesofshaking，andthreatenedwanderers。

ThentheTwotookcounselofeachother。TheEldersaidtheearthmustbemademorestableformenandthevalleyswheretheirchildrenrested。

Iftheysentdowntheirfireboltsofthunder，aimedtoallthefourregions，theearthwouldheaveupanddown，firewould，belchovertheworldandburnit，floodsofhotwaterwouldsweepoverit，smokewouldblackenthedaylight，buttheearthwouldatlastbesaferformen。

SotheBelovedTwainletflythethunderbolts。

Themountainsshookandtrembled，theplainscrackedandcrackledunderthefloodsandfires，andthehollowplaces，theonlyrefugeofmenandcreatures，grewblackandawful。Atlastthickrainfell，puttingoutthefires。Thenwaterfloodedtheworld，cuttingdeeptrailsthroughthemountains，andburyingoruncoveringthebodiesofthingsandbeings。

Wheretheyhuddledtogetherandwereblastedthus，theirbloodgushedforthandfloweddeeply，hereinrivers，thereinfloods，forgiganticwerethey。Butthebloodwascharredandblisteredandblackenedbythefiresintotheblackrocksofthelowermesas（2）。Therewerevastplainsofdust，ashes，andcinders，reddenedlikethemudofthehearthplace。

Yetmanyplacesbehindandbetweenthemountainterraceswereunharmedbythefires，andeventhengreengrewthetreesandgrassesandevenflowersbloomed。Thentheearthbecamemorestable，anddrier，anditsloneplaceslessfearsomesincemonstersofpreywerechangedtorock。

Buteverandagaintheearthtrembledandthepeopleweretroubled。

"LetusagainseektheMiddle，"theysaid。Sotheytravelledfareastwardtotheirsecondstoppingplace，thePlaceofBareMountains。

Againtheworldrumbled，andtheytravelledintoacountrytoaplacecalledWhere—tree—boles—stand—in—the—midst—of—waters。Theretheyremainedlong，saying，"ThisistheMiddle。"Theybuilthomesthere。Attimestheymetpeoplewhohadgonebefore，andthustheylearnedwar。

Andmanystrangethingshappenedthere，astoldinspeechesoftheancienttalk。

Thenwhentheearthgroanedagain，theTwainbadethemgoforth，andtheymurmured。Manyrefusedandperishedmiserablyintheirownhomes，asdoratsinfallingtrees，orfliesinforbiddenfood。

ButthegreaternumberwentforwarduntiltheycametoSteam—mist—in—the—midst—of—waters。Andtheysawthesmokeofmen’shearthfiresandmanyhousesscatteredoverthehillsbeforethem。Whentheycamenearer，theychallengedthepeoplerudely，demandingwhotheywereandwhythere，forintheirlaststanding—placetheyhadhadtouchofwar。

"WearethePeopleoftheSeed，"saidthemenofthehearth—fires，"bornelderbrothersofye，andledofthegods。"

"No，"saidourfathers，"weareledofthegodsandwearetheSeedPeople……"

LonglivedthepeopleinthetownonthesunriseslopeofthemountainsofKahluelawan，untiltheearthbegantogroanwarninglyagain。LoathweretheytoleavetheplaceoftheKakaandthelakeoftheirdead。ButtherumblinggrewlouderandtheTwainBelovedcalled，andalltogethertheyjourneyedeastward，seekingoncemorethePlaceoftheMiddle。Buttheygrumbledamongstthemselves，sowhentheycametoaplaceofgreatpromise，theysaid，"Letusstayhere。PerhapsitmaybethePlaceoftheMiddle。"

Sotheybuilthousesthere，largerandstrongerthaneverbefore，andmoreperfect，fortheywerestronginnumbersandwiser，thoughyetunperfectedasmen。Theycalledtheplace"ThePlaceofSacredStealing。"

Longtheydweltthere，happily，butgrowingwiserandstronger，sothat，withtheirtailsanddressedintheskinsofanimals，theysawtheywererudeandugly。

Inchaseorinwar，theywereatadisadvantage，fortheymetoldernationsofmenwithwhomtheyfought。Nolongertheyfearedthegodsandmonsters，butonlytheirownkind。Sothereforethegodscalledacouncil。

Changedshallyebe，ohourchildren，"criedtheTwain。"Yeshallwalkstraightinthepathways，clothedingarments，andwithouttails，thatyemaysitmorestraightincouncil，andwithoutwebstoyourfeet，ortalonsonyourhands。"

Sothepeoplewerearrangedinprocessionlikedancers。AndtheTwainwiththeirweaponsandfiresoflightningshoredofftheforelockshangingdownovertheirfaces，severedthetalons，andslittedthewebbedfingersandtoes。Sorewasthewoundingandloudcriedthefoolish，whenlastlythepeoplewerearrangedinprocessionfortherazingoftheirtails。

Butthosewhostoodattheendoftheline，shrinkingfartherandfarther，fledintheirterror，climbingtreesandhighplaces，withloudchatter。Wanderingfar，sleepingeverintreetops，inthefar—awaySummerland，theyaresometimesseenoffar—walkers，longoftailandlonghanded，likewizenedmen—children。

Butthepeoplegrewinstrength，andbecamemoreperfect，andmorethaneverwenttowar。Theygrewvain。TheyhadreachedthePlaceoftheMiddle。Theysaid，"LetusnotwearilywanderforthagaineventhoughtheearthtrembleandtheTwainbidusforth。"

Andevenastheyspoke，themountaintrembledandshook，thoughfar—sounding。

Butasthepeoplechanged，changedalsoweretheTwain，smallandmisshapen，hard—favoredandunyieldingofwill，strongofspirit，evilandbad。Theytaughtthepeopletowar，andledthemfartotheeastward。

Atlastthepeopleneared，inthemidstoftheplainstotheeastward，greattownsbuiltintheheights。Greatwerethefieldsandpossessionsofthispeople，fortheyknewhowtocommandandcarrythewaters，bringingnewsoil。Andthis，too，withouthailorrain。Soourancients，hungrywithlongwanderingfornewfood，werethemoregreedyandoftengavebattle。

ItwasherethattheAncientWomanoftheElderPeople，whocarriedherheartinherrattleandwasdeathlessofwoundsinthebody，ledtheenemy，cryingoutshrilly。Soitfelloutillforourfathers。For，moreover，thunderragedandconfusedtheirwarriors，raindescendedandblindedthem，stretchingtheirbowstringsofsinewandquenchingtheflightoftheirarrowsastheflightofbeesisquenchedbythesprinklingplumeofthehoney—hunter。ButtheydevisedbowstringsofyuccaandtheTwoLittleOnessoughtcounseloftheSun—fatherwhorevealedthelife—secretoftheAncientWomanandthemagicpowersovertheunder—firesofthedwellersofthemountains，sothatourenemyinthemountaintownwasovermastered。Andbecauseourpeoplefoundinthatgreattownsomehiddendeepinthecellars，andpulledthemoutasratsarepulledfromahollowcedar，andfoundthemblackenedbythefumesoftheirwarmagic，yetwiserthanthecommonpeople，theysparedthemandreceivedthemintotheirnextofkinoftheBlackCorn……

Butthetremblingsandwarningsstillsounded，andthepeoplesearchedforthestableMiddle。

Nowtheycalledagreatcouncilofmenandthebeasts，birds，andinsectsofallkinds。Afteralongcouncilitwassaid，"WhereisWater—skate？Hehassixlegs，allverylong。Perhapshecanfeelwiththemtotheuttermostofthesixregions，andpointouttheveryMiddle。"

SoWater—skatewassummoned。Butlo!ItwastheSun—fatherinhislikenesswhichappeared。Andheliftedhimselftothezenithandextendedhisfingerfeettoallthesixregions，sothattheytouchedthenorth，thegreatwaters；thewest，andthesouth，andtheeast，thegreatwaters；andtothenortheastthewatersabove。andtothesouthwestthewatersbelow。Buttothenorthhisfingerfootgrewcold，sohedrewitin。Thengraduallyhesettleddownupontheearthandsaid，"Wheremyheartrests，markaspot，andbuildatownoftheMid—most，forthereshallbetheMid—mostPlaceoftheEarth—mother。"

AndhisheartrestedoverthemiddleoftheplainandvalleyofZuni。

Andwhenhedrewinhisfinger—legs，lo!therewerethetrail—roadsleadingoutandinlikestaysofaspider’snest，intoandfromthemid—mostplacehehadcovered。

HerebecauseoftheirgoodfortuneinfindingthestableMiddle，thepriestfathercalledthetowntheAbiding—place—of—happy—fortune。

（1）Theearthwasflatandround，likeaplate。

（2）Lava。

OriginofLightGallinomero（RussianRiver，Cal。）

Intheearliestbeginning，thedarknesswasthickanddeep。Therewasnolight。Theanimalsranhereandthere，alwaysbumpingintoeachother。

Thebirdsflewhereandthere，butcontinuallyknockedagainsteachother。

HawkandCoyotethoughtalongtimeaboutthedarkness。ThenCoyotefelthiswayintoaswampandfoundalargenumberofdrytulereeds。Hemadeaballofthem。HegavetheballtoHawk，withsomeflints，andHawkflewupintothesky，wherehetouchedoffthetulereedsandsentthebundlewhirlingaroundtheworld。Butstillthenightsweredark，soCoyotemadeanotherbundleoftulereeds，andHawkflewintotheairwiththem，andtouchedthemoffwiththeflints。Butthesereedsweredampanddidnotburnsowell。Thatiswhythemoondoesnotgivesomuchlightasthesun。

Pokoh，theOldManPaiUte（nearKernRiver，Cal。）

Pokoh，OldMan，theysay，createdtheworld。Pokohhadmanythoughts。Hehadmanyblanketsinwhichhecarriedaroundgiftsformen。Hecreatedeverytribeoutofthesoilwheretheyusedtolive。ThatiswhyanIndianwantstoliveanddieinhisnativeplace。Hewasmadeofthesamesoil。Pokohdidnotwishmentowanderandtravel，buttoremainintheirbirthplace。

Longago，Sunwasaman，andwasbad。Moonwasgood。Sunhadaquiverfullofarrows，andtheyaredeadly。Sunwishestokillallthings。

Sunhastwodaughters（VenusandMercury）andtwentymenkillthem；butafterfiftydays，theyreturntolifeagain。

RainbowisthesisterofPokoh，andherbreastiscoveredwithflowers。

Lightningstrikesthegroundandfillstheflintwithfire。Thatistheoriginoffire。Somesaythebeaverbroughtfirefromtheeast，haulingitonhisbroad，flattail。Thatiswhythebeaver’stailhasnohaironit，eventothisday。Itwasburnedoff。

Therearemanyworlds。Somehavepassedandsomearestilltocome。InoneworldtheIndiansallcreep；inanothertheyallwalk；inanothertheyallfly。Perhapsinaworldtocome，Indiansmaywalkonfourlegs；

ortheymaycrawllikesnakes；ortheymayswiminthewaterlikefish。

ThunderandLightningMaidu（nearSacramentoValley，Cal。）

Great—Mancreatedtheworldandallthepeople。Atfirsttheearthwasveryhot，sohotitwasmelted，andthatiswhyevento—daythereisfireinthetrunkandbranchesoftrees，andinthestones。

LightningisGreat—Manhimselfcomingdownswiftlyfromhisworldabove，andtearingapartthetreeswithhisflamingarm。

ThunderandLightningaretwogreatspiritswhotrytodestroymankind。

ButRainbowisagoodspiritwhospeaksgentlytothem，andpersuadesthemtolettheIndianslivealittlelonger。

CreationofManMiwok（SanJoaquinValley，Cal。）

AfterCoyotehadcompletedmakingtheworld，hebegantothinkaboutcreatingman。Hecalledacouncilofalltheanimals。Theanimalssatinacircle，justastheIndiansdo，withLionatthehead，inanopenspaceintheforest。OnLion’srightwasGrizzlyBear；nextCinnamonBear；andsoontoMouse，whosatatLion’sleft。

Lionspokefirst。Lionsaidhewishedmantohaveaterriblevoice，likehimself，sothathecouldfrightenallanimals。Hewantedmanalsotobewellcoveredwithhair，withfangsinhisclaws，andverystrongteeth。

GrizzlyBearlaughed。HesaiditwasridiculousforanyonetohavesuchavoiceasLion，becausewhenheroaredhefrightenedawaytheverypreyforwhichhewassearching。Buthesaidmanshouldhaveverygreatstrength；thatheshouldmovesilently，butveryswiftly；andheshouldbeabletoseizehispreywithoutnoise。

Bucksaidmanwouldlookfoolishwithoutantlers。Andaterriblevoicewasabsurd，butmanshouldhaveearslikeaspider’sweb，andeyeslikefire。

MountainSheepsaidthebranchingantlerswouldbothermanifhegotcaughtinathicket。Ifmanhadhornsrolledup，sothattheywerelikeastoneoneachsideofhishead，itwouldgivehisheadweightenoughtobuttveryhard。

WhenitcameCoyote’sturn，hesaidtheotheranimalswerefoolishbecausetheyeachwantedmantobejustlikethemselves。CoyotewassurehecouldmakeamanwhowouldlookbetterthanCoyotehimself，oranyotheranimal。Ofcoursehewouldhavetohavefourlegs，withfivefingers。Manshouldhaveastrongvoice，butheneednotroarallthetimewithit。AndheshouldhavefeetnearlylikeGrizzlyBear’s，becausehecouldthenstanderectwhenheneededto。GrizzlyBearhadnotail，andmanshouldnothaveany。TheeyesandearsofBuckweregood，andperhapsmanshouldhavethose。ThentherewasFish，whichhadnohair，andhairwasaburdenmuchoftheyear。SoCoyotethoughtmanshouldnotwearfur。AndhisclawsshouldbeaslongastheEagle’s，sothathecouldholdthingsinthem。ButnoanimalwasascunningandcraftyasCoyote，somanshouldhavethewitofCoyote。

ThenBeavertalked。Beaversaidmanwouldhavetohaveatail，butitshouldbebroadandflat，sohecouldhaulmudandsandonit。Notafurrytail，becausetheyweretroublesomeonaccountoffleas。

Owlsaidmanwouldbeuselesswithoutwings。

ButMolesaidwingswouldbefolly。Manwouldbesuretobumpagainstthesky。Besides，ifhehadwingsandeyesboth，hewouldgethiseyesburnedoutbyflyingtoonearthesun。Butwithouteyes，hecouldburrowinthesoft，coolearthwherehecouldbehappy。

Mousesaidmanneededeyessohecouldseewhathewaseating。Andnobodywantedtoburrowinthedampearth。Sothecouncilbrokeupinaquarrel。

Theneveryanimalsettoworktomakeamanaccordingtohisownideas。

Eachonetookalumpofearthandmodelleditjustlikehimself。AllbutCoyote，forCoyotebegantomakethekindofmanhehadtalkedofinthecouncil。

Itwaslatewhentheanimalsstoppedworkandfellasleep。AllbutCoyote，forCoyotewasthecunningestofalltheanimals，andhestayedawakeuntilhehadfinishedhismodel。Heworkedhardallnight。Whentheotheranimalswerefastasleephethrewwateronthelumpsofearth，andsospoiledthemodelsoftheotheranimals。Butinthemorninghefinishedhisown，andgaveitlifelongbeforetheotherscouldfinishtheirs。ThusmanwasmadebyCoyote。

TheFirstManAndWomanNishinam（nearBearRiver，Cal。）

ThefirstmancreatedbyCoyotewascalledAikut。HiswifewasYototowi。

Butthewomangrewsickanddied。Aikutdugagraveforherclosebesidehiscampfire，fortheNishinamdidnotburntheirdeadthen。Allthelightwasgonefromhislife。Hewantedtodie，sothathecouldfollowYototowi，andhefellintoadeepsleep。

TherewasarumblingsoundandthespiritofYototowiarosefromtheearthandstoodbesidehim。Hewouldhavespokentoher，butsheforbadehim，forwhenanIndianspeakstoaghosthedies。Thensheturnedawayandsetoutforthedance—houseofghosts。Aikutfollowedher。Togethertheyjourneyedthroughagreat，darkcountry，untiltheycametoariverwhichseparatedthemfromtheGhost—land。Overtherivertherewasabridgeofbutonesmallrope，sosmallthathardlySpidercouldcrawlacrossit。Herethewomanstartedoffalone，butwhenAikutstretchedouthisarms，shereturned。Thenshestartedagainoverthebridgeofthread。AndAikutspoketoher，sothathedied。ThustogethertheyjourneyedtotheSpirit—land。

OldManAboveandtheGrizzliesShastika（Cal。）

Alongtimeago，whilesmokestillcurledfromthesmokeholeofthetepee，agreatstormarose。Thestormshookthetepee。Windblewthesmokedownthesmokehole。OldManAbovesaidtoLittleDaughter："Climbuptothesmokehole。TellWindtobequiet。Stickyourarmoutofthesmokeholebeforeyoutellhim。"LittleDaughterclimbeduptothesmokeholeandputoutherarm。ButLittleDaughterputoutherheadalso。Shewantedtoseetheworld。LittleDaughterwantedtoseetheriversandtrees，andthewhitefoamontheBitterWaters。WindcaughtLittleDaughterbythehair。Windpulledheroutofthesmokeholeandblewherdownthemountain。WindblewLittleDaughteroverthesmoothiceandthegreatforests，downtothelandoftheGrizzlies。WindtangledherhairandthenlefthercoldandshiveringnearthetepeesoftheGrizzlies。

SoonGrizzlycamehome。InthosedaysGrizzlywalkedontwofeet，andcarriedabigstick。Grizzlycouldtalkaspeopledo。GrizzlylaiddowntheyoungelkhehadkilledandpickedupLittleDaughter。HetookLittleDaughtertohistepee。ThenMotherGrizzlywarmedherbythefire。MotherGrizzlygaveherfoodtoeat。

SoonLittleDaughtermarriedthesonofGrizzly。TheirchildrenwerenotGrizzlies。Theyweremen。SotheGrizzliesbuiltatepeeforLittleDaughterandherchildren。WhitemencallthetepeeLittleShasta。

AtlastMotherGrizzlysentasontoOldManAbove。MotherGrizzlyknewthatLittleDaughterwasthechildofOldManAbove，butshewasafraid。

Shesaid："TellOldManAbovethatLittleDaughterisalive。"

OldManAboveclimbedoutofthesmokehole。HerandownthemountainsidetothelandoftheGrizzlies。OldManAboveranveryquickly。

Whereverhesethisfootthesnowmelted。Thesnowmeltedveryquicklyandmadestreamsofwater。NowGrizzliesstoodinlinetowelcomeOldManAbove。Theystoodontwofeetandcarriedclubs。ThenOldManAbovesawhisdaughterandherchildren。Hesawthenewraceofmen。ThenOldManAbovebecameveryangry。HesaidtoGrizzlies：

"Neverspeakagain。Besilent。Neithershallyestandupright。Yeshalluseyourhandsasfeet。Yeshalllookdownward。"

ThenOldManAboveputoutthefireinthetepee。Smokenolongercurlsfromthesmokehole。Hefastenedthedoorofthetepee。Thenewraceofmenhedroveout。ThenOldManAbovetookLittleDaughterbacktohistepee。

Thatiswhygrizzlieswalkonfourfeetandlookdownward。Onlywhenfightingtheystandontwofeetandusetheirfistslikemen。

TheCreationofMan—KindandtheFloodPima（Arizona）

Aftertheworldwasready，EarthDoctormadeallkindsofanimalsandcreepingthings。Thenhemadeimagesofclay，andtoldthemtobepeople。Afterawhilethereweresomanypeoplethattherewasnotfoodandwaterenoughforall。Theywereneversickandnonedied。Atlasttheregrewtobesomanytheywereobligedtoeateachother。ThenEarthDoctor，becausehecouldnotgivethemfoodandwaterenough，killedthemall。Hecaughtthehookofhisstaffintotheskyandpulleditdownsothatitcrushedallthepeopleandalltheanimals，untiltherewasnothinglivingontheearth。EarthDoctormadeaholethroughtheearthwithhisstick，andthroughthathewent，comingoutsafe，butalone，ontheotherside。

Hecalleduponthesunandmoontocomeoutofthewreckoftheworldandsky，andtheydidso。Buttherewasnoskyforthemtotravelthrough，nostars，andnoMilkyWay。SoEarthDoctormadethesealloveragain。Thenhecreatedanotherraceofmenandanimals。

ThenCoyotewasborn。Moonwashismother。WhenCoyotewaslargeandstronghecametothelandwherethePimaIndianslived。

ThenElderBrotherwasborn。Earthwashismother，andSkyhisfather。

HewassopowerfulthathespokeroughlytoEarthDoctor，whotrembledbeforehim。Thepeoplebegantoincreaseinnumbers，justastheyhaddonebefore，butElderBrothershortenedtheirlives，sotheearthdidnotbecomesocrowded。ButElderBrotherdidnotlikethepeoplecreatedbyEarthDoctor，soheplannedtodestroythemagain。SoElderBrotherplannedtocreateamagicbaby……

Thescreamsofthebabyshooktheearth。Theycouldbeheardforagreatdistance。ThenEarthDoctorcalledallthepeopletogether，andtoldthemtherewouldbeagreatflood。Hesangamagicsongandthenboredaholethroughtheflatearth—plainthroughtotheotherside。Someofthepeoplewentintotheholetoescapethefloodthatwascoming，butnotverymanygotthrough。SomeofthepeopleaskedElderBrothertohelpthem，buthedidnotanswer。OnlyCoyoteheanswered。HetoldCoyotetofindabiglogandsitonit，sothathewouldfloatonthesurfaceofthewaterwiththedriftwood。ElderBrothergotintoabigollawhichhehadmade，andclosedittight。Soherolledalongonthegroundundertheolla。Hesangamagicsongasheclimbedintohisolla。

Ayoungmanwenttotheplacewherethebabywasscreaming。Itstearswereagreattorrentwhichcutgorgesintheearthbeforeit。Thewaterwasrisingallovertheearth。Hebentoverthechildtopickitup，andimmediatelybothbecamebirdsandflewabovetheflood。Onlyfivebirdsweresavedfromtheflood。Onewasaflickerandoneavulture。Theyclungbytheirbeakstotheskytokeepthemselvesabovethewaters，butthetailoftheflickerwaswashedbythewavesandthatiswhyitisstifftothisday。Atlastagodtookpityonthemandgavethempowertomake"nestsofdown"fromtheirownbreastsonwhichtheyfloatedonthewater。Oneofthesebirdswasthevipisimal，andifanyoneinjuresittothisday，thefloodmaycomeagain。

NowSouthDoctorcalledhispeopletohimandtoldthemthatafloodwascoming。Hesangamagicsongandheboredaholeinthegroundwithacanesothatpeoplemightgothroughtotheotherside。OthershesenttoEarthDoctor，butEarthDoctortoldthemtheyweretoolate。SotheysentthepeopletothetopofahighmountaincalledCrookedMountain。

SouthDoctorsangamagicsongandtracedhiscanearoundthemountain，butthatheldbackthewatersonlyforashorttime。Fourtimeshesangandtracedalinearoundthemountain，yetthefloodroseagaineachtime。Therewasonlyonethingmoretodo。

Heheldhismagiccrystalsinhislefthandandsangasong。Thenhestruckitwithhiscane。Athunderpealrangthroughthemountains。Hethrewhisstaffintothewateranditcrackedwithaloudnoise。

Turning，hesawadognearhim。Hesaid，"Howhighisthetide？"Thedogsaid，"Itisverynearthetop。"Helookedatthepeopleashesaidit。

Whentheyheardhisvoicetheyallturnedtostone。Theystoodjustastheywere，andtheyaretheretothisdayingroups：someofthementalking，someofthewomencooking，andsomecrying。

ButEarthDoctorescapedbyenclosinghimselfinhisreedstaff，whichfloateduponthewater。ElderBrotherrolledalonginhisollauntilhecamenearthemouthoftheColoradoRiver。TheollaisnowcalledBlackMountain。Afterthefloodhecameoutandvisitedallpartsoftheland。

WhenhemetCoyoteandEarthDoctor，eachclaimedtohavebeenthefirsttoappearaftertheflood，butatlasttheyadmittedElderBrotherwasthefirst，sohebecameruleroftheworld。

TheBirdsandtheFloodPima（Arizona）

Onceuponatime，whenalltheearthwasflooded，twobirdswerehangingabovethewater。Theywereclingingtotheskywiththeirbeaks。Thelargerbirdwasgraywithalongtailandbeak，butthesmalleronewasthetinybirdthatbuildsanestshapedlikeanolla，withonlyaverysmallopeningatthetop。Thebirdsweretiredandfrightened。Thelargeronecriedandcried，butthelittlebirdheldontightandsaid，"Don’tcry。I’mlittlerthanyouare，butI’mverybrave。"

LegendoftheFloodAshochimi（CoastIndians，Cal。）

Longagotherewasagreatfloodwhichdestroyedallthepeopleintheworld。OnlyCoyotewassaved。Whenthewaterssubsided，theearthwasempty。Coyotethoughtaboutitalongtime。

ThenCoyotecollectedagreatbundleoftailfeathersfromowls，hawks，eagles，andbuzzards。HejourneyedoverthewholeearthandcarefullylocatedthesiteofeachIndianvillage。Wherethetepeeshadstood，heplantedafeatherinthegroundandscrapedupthedirtaroundit。Thefeatherssproutedliketrees，andgrewupandbranched。Atlasttheyturnedintomenandwomen。Sotheworldwasinhabitedwithpeopleagain。

TheGreatFloodSia（NewMexico）

Foralongtimeafterthefight，thepeoplewereveryhappy，buttheninthyearwasverybad。Thewholeearthwasfilledwithwater。Thewaterdidnotfallinrain，butcameinasriversbetweenthemesas。Itcontinuedtoflowinfromallsidesuntilthepeopleandtheanimalsfledtothemesatops。Thewatercontinuedtoriseuntilnearlylevelwiththetopsofthemesas。ThenSussistinnakocried，"Whereshallmypeoplego？Whereistheroadtothenorth？"Helookedtothenorth。

"Whereistheroadtothewest？Whereistheroadtotheeast？Whereistheroadtothesouth？"Helookedineachdirection。Hesaid，"Iseethewatersareeverywhere。"

Allofthemedicinemensangfourdaysandfournights，butstillthewaterscontinuedtorise。

ThenSpiderplacedahugereeduponthetopofthemesa。Hesaid，"Mypeoplewillpassupthroughthistotheworldabove。"

Utsetledtheway，carryingasackinwhichweremanyoftheStarpeople。Themedicinemenfollowed，carryingsacredthingsinsacredblanketsontheirbacks。Thencamethepeople，andtheanimals，andthesnakes，andbirds。Theturkeywasfarbehindandthefoamofthewaterroseandreachedthetipendsofhisfeathers。Youmayknowthatistruebecauseeventothisdaytheybearthemarkofthewaters。

Whentheyreachedthetopofthegreatreed，theearthwhichformedtheflooroftheworldabove，barredtheirway。UtsetcalledtoLocust，"Man，comehere。"Locustwenttoher。Shesaid，"Youknowbesthowtopassthroughtheearth。Goandmakeadoorforus。"

"Verywell，mother，"saidLocust。"IthinkIcanmakeaway。"

Hebeganworkingwithhisfeetandafterawhilehepassedthroughtheearthyfloor，enteringtheupperworld。Assoonashesawit，hesaidtoUtset，"Itisgoodabove。"

UtsetcalledBadger，andsaid，"Makeadoorforus。Sika，theLocusthasmadeone，butitisverysmall。"

"Verywell，mother，Iwill，"saidBadger。

Aftermuchworkhepassedintotheworldabove，andsaid，"Mother，Ihaveopenedtheway。"Badgeralsosaid，"Father—mother，theworldaboveisgood。"

UtsetthencalledDeer。Shesaid，"Yougothroughfirst。Ifyoucangetyourheadthrough，othersmaypass。"

Thedeerreturnedsaying，"Father，itisallright。Ipassedwithouttrouble。"

UtsetcalledElk。Shesaid，"Youpassthrough。Ifyoucangetyourheadandhornsthroughthedoor，allmaypass。"

Elkreturnedsaying，"Father，itisgood。Ipassedwithouttrouble。"

ThenUtsettoldthebuffalototry，andhereturnedsaying，"Father—mother，thedoorisgood。Ipassedwithouttrouble。"

Utsetcalledthescarabbeetleandgavehimthesackofstars，tellinghimtopassoutfirstwiththem。Scarabdidnotknowwhatthesackcontained，buthewasverysmallandgrewtiredcarryingit。Hewonderedwhatcouldbeinthesack。Afterenteringthenewworldhewassotiredhelaiddownthesackandpeepedintoit。Hecutonlyatinyhole，butatoncetheStarPeopleflewoutandfilledtheheavenseverywhere。

ThenUtsetandallthepeoplecame，andafterTurkeypassed，thedoorwasclosedwithagreatrocksothatthewatersfrombelowcouldnotfollowthem。

ThenUtsetlookedforthesackwiththeStarPeople。Shefounditnearlyemptyandcouldnottellwherethestarshadgone。Thelittlebeetlesatby，verymuchfrightenedandverysad。ButUtsetwasangryandsaid，"Youarebadanddisobedient。Fromthistimeforth，youshallbeblind。"

Thatisthereasonthescarabaeushasnoeyes，sotheoldonessay。

Butthelittlefellowhadsavedafewofthestarsbygraspingthesackandholdingitfast。Utsetplacedtheseintheheavens。Inonegroupsheplacedseven—thegreatbear。Inanother，three。InanothergroupsheplacedthePleiades，andthrewtheothersfaroffintothesky。

TheFloodandtheTheftofFireTolowa（DelNorteCo。，Cal。）

Alongtimeagotherecameagreatrain。Itlastedalongtimeandthewaterkeptrisingtillallthevalleysweresubmerged，andtheIndiantribesfledtothehighlands。Butthewaterrose，andthoughtheIndiansfledtothehighestpoint，allweresweptawayanddrowned—allbutonemanandonewoman。Theyreachedtheveryhighestpeakandweresaved。ThesetwoIndiansatethefishfromthewatersaroundthem。

Thenthewaterssubsided。Allthegamewasgone，andalltheanimals。

ButthechildrenofthesetwoIndians，whentheydied，becamethespiritsofdeerandbearandinsects，andsotheanimalsandinsectscamebacktotheearthagain。

TheIndianshadnofire。Thefloodhadputoutallthefiresintheworld。Theylookedatthemoonandwishedtheycouldsecurefirefromit。ThentheSpiderIndiansandtheSnakeIndiansformedaplantostealfire。TheSpiderswoveaverylightballoon，andfasteneditbyalongropetotheearth。Thentheyclimbedintotheballoonandstartedforthemoon。ButtheIndiansoftheMoonweresuspiciousoftheEarthIndians。TheSpiderssaid，"Wecametogamble。"TheMoonIndiansweremuchpleasedandalltheSpiderIndiansbegantogamblewiththem。Theysatbythefire。

ThentheSnakeIndianssentamantoclimbupthelongropefromtheearthtothemoon。Heclimbedtherope，anddartedthroughthefirebeforetheMoonIndiansunderstoodwhathehaddone。Thenhesliddowntheropetoearthagain。Assoonashetouchedtheearthhetravelledovertherocks，thetrees，andthedrystickslyingupontheground，givingfiretoeach。Everythinghetouchedcontainedfire。Sotheworldbecamebrightagain，asitwasbeforetheflood。

WhentheSpiderIndianscamedowntoearthagain，theywereimmediatelyputtodeath，forthetribeswereafraidtheMoonIndiansmightwantrevenge。

LegendoftheFloodinSacramentoValleyMaidu（nearSacramentoValley，Cal。）

Long，longagotheIndianslivinginSacramentoValleywerehappy。

Suddenlytherecametheswiftsoundofrushingwaters，andthevalleybecamelikeBigWaters，whichnomancanmeasure。TheIndiansfled，butmanysleptbeneaththewaves。AlsothefrogsandthesalmonpursuedthemandtheyatemanyIndians。Onlytwowhofledintothefoothillsescaped。

Tothesetwo，GreatMangavemanychildren，andmanytribesarose。Butonegreatchiefruledallthenation。ThechiefwentoutuponawideknolloverlookingBigWaters，andheknewthattheplainsofhispeoplewerebeneaththewaves。Ninesleepshelayontheknoll，thinkingthoughtsofthesegreatwaters。Ninesleepshelaywithoutfood，andhismindwasthinkingalwaysofonething：Howdidthisdeepwatercovertheplainsoftheworld？

Attheendofninesleepshewaschanged。Hewasnotlikehimself。Noarrowcouldwoundhim。HewaslikeGreatManfornoIndiancouldslayhim。ThenhespoketoGreatManandcommandedhimtobanishthewatersfromtheplainsofhisancestors。GreatMantoreaholeinthemountainside，sothatthewatersontheplainsflowedintoBigWaters。ThustheSacramentoRiverwasformed。

TheFableoftheAnimalsKarok（nearKlamathRiver，。Cal。）

Agreatmanyhundredsnowsago，Kareya，sittingontheSacredStool，createdtheworld。First，hemadethefishesintheBigWater，thentheanimalsonthegreenland，andlastofall，Man!Butatfirsttheanimalswereallalikeinpower。Nooneknewwhichanimalsshouldbefoodforothers，andwhichshouldbefoodforman。ThenKareyaorderedthemalltomeetinoneplace，thatManmightgiveeachhisrankandhispower。Sotheanimalsallmettogetheroneevening，whenthesunwasset，towaitovernightforthecomingofManonthenextmorning。KareyaalsocommandedMantomakebowsandarrows，asmanyastherewereanimals，andtogivethelongestonetotheanimalwhichwastohavethemostpower，andtheshortesttotheonewhichshouldhaveleastpower。

Sohedid，andafterninesleepshisworkwasended，andthebowsandarrowswhichhehadmadewereverymany。

Nowtheanimals，beingalltogether，wenttosleep，sotheymightbereadytomeetManonthenextmorning。ButCoyotewasexceedinglycunning—hewascunningaboveallthebeasts。Coyotewantedthelongestbowandthegreatestpower，sohecouldhavealltheotheranimalsforhismeat。Hedecidedtostayawakeallnight，sothathewouldbefirsttomeetManinthemorning。Sohelaughedtohimselfandstretchedhisnoseoutonhispawandpretendedtosleep。Aboutmidnighthebegantobesleepy。Hehadtowalkaroundthecampandscratchhiseyestokeepthemopen。Hegrewmoresleepy，sothathehadtoskipandjumpabouttokeepawake。Buthemadesomuchnoise，heawakenedsomeoftheotheranimals。Whenthemorningstarcameup，hewastoosleepytokeephiseyesopenanylonger。Sohetooktwolittlesticks，andsharpenedthemattheends，andproppedopenhiseyelids。Thenhefeltsafe。Hewatchedthemorningstar，withhisnosestretchedalonghispaws，andfellasleep。Thesharpstickspinnedhiseyelidsfasttogether。

Themorningstarroserapidlyintothesky。Thebirdsbegantosing。Theanimalswokeupandstretchedthemselves，butstillCoyotelayfastasleep。Whenthesunrose，theanimalswenttomeetMan。HegavethelongestbowtoCougar，sohehadgreatestpower；thesecondlongesthegavetoBear；othershegavetotheotheranimals，givingallbutthelasttoFrog。Buttheshortestonewasleft。Mancriedout，"WhatanimalhaveImissed？"ThentheanimalsbegantolookaboutandfoundCoyotefastasleep，withhiseyelidspinnedtogether。Alltheanimalsbegantolaugh，andtheyjumpeduponCoyoteanddanceduponhim。ThentheyledhimtoMan，stillblinded，andManpulledoutthesharpsticksandgavehimtheshortestbowofall。Itwouldhardlyshootanarrowfartherthanafoot。Alltheanimalslaughed。

ButMantookpityonCoyote，becausehewasnowweakereventhanFrog。

Soathisrequest，Kareyagavehimcunning，tentimesmorethanbefore，sothathewascunningabovealltheanimalsofthewood。ThereforeCoyotewasfriendlytoManandhischildren，anddidmanythingsforthem。

CoyoteandSunPaiUte（nearKernRiver，Cal。）

Alongtimeago，Coyotewantedtogotothesun。HeaskedPokoh，OldMan，toshowhimthetrail。Coyotewentstraightoutonthistrailandhetravelleditallday。ButSunwentroundsothatCoyotecamebackatnighttotheplacefromwhichhestartedinthemorning。

Thenextmorning，CoyoteaskedPokohtoshowhimthetrail。Pokohshowedhim，andCoyotetravelledalldayandcamebackatnighttothesameplaceagain。

Butthethirdday，Coyotestartedearlyandwentoutonthetrailtotheedgeoftheworldandsatdownontheholewherethesuncameup。Whilewaitingforthesunhepointedwithhisbowandarrowatdifferentplacesandpretendedtoshoot。Healsopretendednottoseethesun。

WhenSuncameup，hetoldCoyotetogetoutofhisway。Coyotetoldhimtogoaround；thatitwashistrail。ButSuncameupunderhimandhehadtohitchforwardalittle。AfterSuncameupalittlefarther，itbegantogethotonCoyote’sshoulder，sohespitonhispawandrubbedhisshoulder。Thenhewantedtorideupwiththesun。Sunsaid，"Oh，no"；

butCoyoteinsisted。SoCoyoteclimbeduponSun，andSunstartedupthetrailinthesky。Thetrailwasmarkedoffintostepslikealadder。AsSunwentuphecounted"one，two，three，"andsoon。ByandbyCoyotebecameverythirsty，andheaskedSunforadrinkofwater。Sungavehimanacorn—cupfull。Coyoteaskedhimwhyhehadnomore。Aboutnoontime，Coyotebecameveryimpatient。Itwasveryhot。Suntoldhimtoshuthiseyes。Coyoteshutthem，butopenedthemagain。Hekeptopeningandshuttingthemalltheafternoon。Atnight，whenSuncamedown，Coyotetookholdofatree。ThenheclamberedoffSunandclimbeddowntotheearth。

TheCourseoftheSunSia（NewMexico）

Sussistinnako，thespider，saidtothesun，"Myson，youwillascendandpassovertheworldabove。Youwillgofromnorthtosouth。Returnandtellmewhatyouthinkofit。"

Thesunsaid，onhisreturn，"Mother，Ididasyoubademe，andIdidnotliketheroad。"

Spidertoldhimtoascendandpassovertheworldfromwesttotheeast。

Onhisreturn，thesunsaid，"Itmaybegoodforsome，mother，butIdidnotlikeit。"

Spidersaid，"Youwillagainascendandpassoverthestraightroadfromtheeasttothewest。Returnandtellmewhatyouthinkofit。"

Thatnightthesunsaid，"Iammuchcontented。Ilikethatroadmuch。"

Sussistinnakosaid，"Myson，youwillascendeachdayandpassovertheworldfromeasttowest。"

Uponeachday’sjourneythesunstopsmidwayfromtheeasttothecentreoftheworldtoeathisbreakfast。Inthecentrehestopstoeathisdinner。Halfwayfromthecentretothewesthestopstoeathissupper。

Heneverfailstoeatthesethreemealseachday，andalwaysstopsatthesamepoints。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读