Green Frog, Continued
Apprentice shaman and Nishga encircled Snowy Owl and shook raven-frog rattles all over his body as he knelt with his head resting on his legs in humility before the elders.
“All the offenses of the tribe are placed on your body,” said Nishga, who held out the palm of her hand and blew some kind of white powder onto Snowy Owl’s head.
Then Chah-nulth said, “We order you to go to Icy Mountain, wash in the cold waters of Crater Tarn, and offer yourself to the Chief of Ghosts. If you find favor in his sight, bring back to Raven’s Harbor the bones of our chief in order that he might rest among his people in his mortuary house. If you escape the jaws of Babakawquit, we agree to permit you and your people to go on a spirit quest to the lost islands to seek the spirit guardians of your people. If you fail to return all Kaw-Seth slaves will be executed and their bodies fed to our dogs in accordance to my word. Prepare for the hardest quest. Now go climb to the high place -- up there!”
He stomped his foot and pointed the raven stick back toward the white caped mountains behind him.
Snowy Owl gathered up his gear and set out alone on the path to the mountain pass. He brought with him the spear of Tillicum, his bow and arrows and quartz knife and wore around his neck the Thunderbird amulet threaded on rawhide string. The night before when Storm Dodger was led away to sleep, he whispered his secret plan to N’ha-itk, letting him know that from the last moon he had organized a group of slaves to secretly dig a large pit at the bottom of the first cliff where the trail to the pass begins the steep climb -- about a mornings walk from the village.
The pit -- big enough to hold a small lodge -- was dug in the sand bank near the Frog Song River that flowed from the waterfalls next to the trail up the cliff. The slaves who worked to secretly dig the hole were mostly Kaw-Seth young men who faithful followed all of the directions that Snowy Owl had given them.
“This pit will led to our freedom from the Tsonox,” he told them. Even Naidah helped by telling her masters that she and the others were digging roots in the foothills.
It was a warm early summer night and Snowy Owl camped at the edge of the pit, holding the Thunderbird amulet and carefully rehearsing details of the plan in his mind. He waited for N’ha-itk to join him as they had agreed. His mother and the others left when the sun went down and he sat before a fire cooking a venison steak -- the last good meal he expected for a while. The sounds of the creek nearby and the waterfall in the distance could easily be mistaken as the voices of men or spirits conversing together.
Then he heard a sharp whistle and knew that his friend successfully made his escape. N’ha-itk’s face appeared in the fire light, smiling and painted for battle. He wore the chief’s killer whale hat and carried his war spear and bow and arrows. Behind N’ha-itk came the brother of his Toxuit fiancée -- Kit-saph the Storm Dodger, also painted for battle.
“Welcome stealthy raiders. Or are you boys lost in the woods? I hope that you two won’t be late for the wedding. Would you like some of this meat?”
They shared a meal and talked and laughed about former fishing and hunting trips while the stars spun in a circle above their fire.
That night Snowy Owl told his companions about his spiritual experiences on the Lost Island and his struggle with the sesquecs. N’ha-itk believed that the spear of Tillicum might be enough to kill Babakawquit.
But, Storm Dodger replied, “Babakawquit breaks spears like a stick for the fire. He is mighty. My grandfathers took me to the Lair when I came of age and we saw the ice spirits in all their cruelty. We cut the throats of three slaves captured from our enemies and still it wasn’t enough blood. The monster and Cannibal Bird thirsted for more. We bowed and cut ourselves to show our allegiance in blood letting and a spirit entered into our shaman. Though him the monster threatened that our children would be born dead and diseases break out if we did not permit him to control our every desire.
We escaped by promising to bring some of our children to feed him and to prove our devotion. But, that was a trick. Instead we brought six skinned bear cubs and said that these were our children. Babakawquit ate each of them and breathed a cold breath on us like the dry cold wind from the north at the start of winter, causing our shaman to laugh until he fell on the ground and had to be carried away. That was fourteen years ago.”
N’ha-itk said, “You used the bodies of bear cubs, we will use this.”
He took out of his backpack the stone corpse mask and held it to his face. It was heavy, carved out of black stone so long ago that no one knew which family’s ancestor carved it. The eyes of the mask are closed, but the mouth is open with a hole that went though for the wearer to speak. Because the mask had magic powers, it was used only during special funerals or in rituals of the secret Cannibal Bird society that met in the wilderness before dangerous raids to call upon the spirits for success in battle. To remove the mask and to offer it as a sacrifice meant that the Tsonox might lose their prowess in war, and that is why N’ha-itk took the mask from the winter lodge without Chah-nulth knowing.
The next day they hiked up the steep trail that followed several waterfalls and a rainbow appeared to them in the morning sun. They hiked for five days and each day supernatural signs encouraged them. On the second day they saw a giant white buck – like the white deer that produces miraculous healing with his lick in stories.
The pure white buck – which was more the size of an elk than a deer -- had a four-point rack of antlers. He paused to lower his head and drank from a small stream that crossed the trail, and then jumped away into brush. Each of the men also paused to drink from the same pool of pure water melted from ice fields high above the tree line up along the horizon. Snowy Owl squatted to cup his hands into the cold flow and splashed his hair, exposing his cut off ear. The sun quickly dried his tunic.
On the evening of third day they saw a wave of northern lights glowing green and blue fill the sky. The illuminated spectacle hovered above the trees and shifted like a maiden combing her hair, causing the young braves to stare in awe. They knew that supernatural forces were moving.
In the forests of this pass lived many wolves that stalked the night looking for prey to devour like evil spirits that seek to poison the souls of men. The wolves watched their campfire from hidden places behind the trees, but did not harm them.
On the fourth day they heard an elk make a bugle call unseen from a thick forest and Snowy Owl dreamed that night of receiving advise from the big white deer. The deer bounded out of darkness to stand where he lay, sniffed in his face and whispered, “Be careful Owl friend, because my brothers say that predators are tracking you from behind. They stalk silently like a mountain lion and wait to ambush you from a high place. Keep your ears raised high and be prepared to leap away when they move against you.”
When Snowy Owl told his companions his dream in the morning, N'ah-ikt said, "Your dream warns of what is behind us, but I fear what awaits us at the end of the trail. Hearing your dream spurs me to reveal a horrible dream that awoke me last night as well. I would have kept it to myself otherwise. In my dream I was walking up a gorge when I looked up at the wall of a huge mountain looming above far into the sky-- so huge that I was like an ant. Then the mountain fell down upon me. What do you think this means?"
Snowy Owl replied, "Don't worry my friend. It is a favorable dream. The mountain stands for Babakawquit and just like the mountain he will fall. We will kill this hated monster once and for all and burn his body like firewood. Wonderful Doer of the heavens will give us complete victory through the power of his Thunderbird. Do not be afraid."
Chief N'ah-ikt was pleased with the interpretation and his face lit with a smile.
On the fifth day they reached the shores of Crater Tarn – the headwaters of Frog Song River -- and could see the snow on the roof of the monster’s Lair half way up on the side of the mountain about a mornings walk away. Above the Lair the tall rock spire with it’s flat top -- like the hoof of an elk -- rose to nearly the top of the ridge. The cloudy blue-green water glowed turquoise and reflected the narrow spire and the larger white peaks of Icy Mountain.
The raiders moved to the right side of the lake, following the shore trail closer to a temporary camp set up for quest seekers visiting the Lair. The lake was a place of ritual purification and the three men were careful to recite chants and wash in the cold waters. They warmed themselves at a large fire, knowing that the smoke would signal Babakawquit and his attendants that people had come to make an offering and they waited for an invitation to approach.
As the fire burned they sat to eat a meal of dried salmon mixed with blueberries and drank pure water from the lake. Storm Dodger then told them that his people believed that the waters reached down to the center of the earth and that in its depths lived a serpent creature named Hag-lixah who sometimes appears to drown the unworthy who swam there.
“This is why we must walk quietly on the shore and do not disturb the water too much as we bathe,” he said.
He knew men in his tribe who had seen the giant fanged monster with the body of a humped snake. It was as big as a cedar tree. He told the story of one quester long ago who didn’t believe in the spirits or ghosts, but was commanded to wash in the waters by his clan elder as punishment for disregarding ceremonial tradition. When the unbelieving brave swam out to the middle of the tarn, the reflection of the mountain crashed around him and dragged him to the bottom of the lake where he is still held by the serpent Hag-lixah.
Snowy Owl did not doubt that a monster hid in the lake and kept his spear within easy reach. Even though the lake and mountains were beautiful, all around this place he felt the presence of Setko, the rebellious spirit who first warred against the Creator in the beginning. The cold wind that shot down from the peaks seemed to confirm that this was the home of death. Nothing good could live long in such a wasteland of bare rock covered in ice and patches of snow. The cold was hard to breathe. Without fire or a warm cloak, the life of a brave would be quickly sucked away. The peaks pierced the floor of the cloudy sky world that boiled above like a foaming ocean.
The Kaw-Seth knew that the warmth of the earth in the summer animated both spirits and animals and produced the abundance of food that was harvested and stored for winter. At this time of year only the most powerful malevolent forces came down from these peaks to visit the world of men. The cold of the earth in winter drank up the life of the land and dulled the spirits, making them less likely to be offended. But here in the high places the spirit chiefs made their home year around and could easily strike anyone who dared come near. Here dwelled many demons living at the top of the world just as birds of prey seek perches from the highest trees. It was the most dangerous of all places.
From his childhood he knew of the many stories about supernatural beings that lived in the ice from before any tribe tried to cross the mountain passes. The men also feared an attack by the flying monsters from the top of the spire across the lake. They had heard that monster birds that ate human flesh could become invisible and suddenly snatch a man to his death at any moment. Beside the fear of supernatural attack, they kept in mind the warning of the white deer in the dream and considered that Chah-nulth could have sent his men to follow them.
The braves camped on the shore of the tarn and waited for a sign that Babakawquit would accept them into his Lair. They discussed sneaking up to steal the skull in the night. But, that would require a diversion, since the monster birds carefully guarded the Lair. They considered what to do.
Kit-saph Storm Dodger pointed out a mound of giant boulders at the base of the cliff on the way up to the Lair. The boulders looked like a bowl of camus roots of various shapes sticking up into the icy air.
“My father and I sought refuge there when a hail storm hit as we climbed. The boulders are large enough to protect us from the wind and hide us from view,” he said.
Snowy Owl replied, “That would be a good place to stage a raid to steal the bones.”
“Listen to me,” said N’ha-itk in his chiefly voice.
“We are in Babakawquit’s territory now. We must obey the way of the Lair House. Storm Dodger and me have visited it before, but you must know that we cannot bring weapons up to the doorway. We must move slowly, as if stalking a deer and a gift or sacrifice is required or the monster birds will devour us. Trust me. We must do things properly or the spirits will be angered and we will loose all.”
On the morning of the third day at the camp, in the opposite direction they saw another group of braves coming up the trail to the tarn. The hats indicated that the new group was Tsonox people. They walked openly, not hiding as if on a raid without weapons raised, but because of the white deer dream, Snowy Owl feared that it was a war party.
Soon he recognized that the group was lead by Nishga and that among some slaves were three warriors and that one of them was Luwa-itk. The Tsonox party came up the valley trail that was also the only path of retreat. Smoke from their fire revealed their presence. Trapped between the approaching party below and Babakawquit above, they had no choice but put the plan into action.
Carrying weapons and the pack with the mask, the three braves ran on the rocky path directly towards the boulder-hiding place -- about half way up to the Lair. Looking back they could see that the warriors had reached the tarn and were moving toward the camp. It was then that N’ha-itk lost his footing on the ice coated path and fell, rolling over on his side down the hill and badly cutting the palm of his right hand. His arms quickly turned red with a large amount of blood. His friends helped him up and wrapped his wounded hands in the rough cloth used to pack the mask, which was undamaged in the fall. The three chiefs scrambled to the shadow of the boulders. As soon as the Tsonox reached the camp, they stoked the fire to produce much white smoke, apparently a shaman’s trick to stir the spirits against them.
Suddenly they heard a huge roar like lightening coming from the top of Icy Mountain. The boom sounded like thunder, but there was no lightening flash or black storm clouds. This must be the voice of Babakawquit cursing them for violating his high place without invitation. The crash and roar made them crouch closer to the giant boulders and Snowy Owl took out his Thunderbird amulet and chanted for supernatural help. Down at the tarn they heard singing coming from the tarn camp -- it was the Crooked Beak song being sung by the war party in response the thunderous roar.
Another boom cracked again and the earth shook as the three hid among the rocks that stood about three times the size of a man above them. They knew that the Lair was only a short run up the hill. The plan was for N’ha-itk and Kit-saph to act as spokesmen for the Bone Carrier and to approach the doorway to offer the stone mask as a gift to placate the ghosts, while Snowy Owl stayed behind to guard the weapons. Storm Dodger took out the corpse mask in both hands and held it over his head and began to sing his tribe’s protection song. The two spokesmen walked slowly as if in a procession out into the open and toward the skull decorated doorway.
In the shadow of the boulders Snowy Owl remembered his vision. He did not come to trick and steal from the monster. He wanted to defeat Babakawquit by the power of the Great Spirit. He also wanted to return to his people the ancient Green Frog Bowl.
“I must not fear that loose toothed trickster spirit. He is nothing compared to the glory of Wonderful Doer. In fact, he is like a wasp waiting to be swatted. I will confront him and take what is rightfully mine.”
When the braves reached the door to the Lair, they called out, “spirits, we have come to reclaim the bones of our chief.”
Then a boy about seven years old with a big belly and un-kept shoulder length hair and dressed in a white mountain-goat pelt coat and black bear fur moccasins walked out of the house and said, “Welcome to our war house bold slaves. Come in for we have prepared a feast.”
“Eat with us -- we have gifts for you. But, first go and bring the other. When you three return, please come into our war house. We will welcome you as our potlatch guests.”
He walked up to N’ha-itk, saying “Give me that rag, slave.”
He tugged at the bloody cloth used to wrap his wounds and pulled it away, then put it in his mouth and sucked the blood. The boy waved them to go back.
The men looked at each other as the boy retreated back into the rock lair. They returned to the boulder and told Snowy Owl about the boy and his invitation to the potlatch.
“This is unheard of. The spirits have never offered gifts to people without first demanding much sacrifice and devotion,” said N’ha-itk.
They hid the spear of Tillicum and their bow and arrows and knives in a crack between two boulders and covered them with snow. The three chiefs climbed unarmed up to the Lair, still hearing singing from the camp below. When they arrived at the doorway, N’ha-itk pointed to the remains of his father, fitted into the doorway as a decoration.
“Spirits, we come.” With the Thunderbird amulet hung by whale gut twine around his neck, Snowy Owl bent down to lead the other raiders into the Lair.
Once inside, they saw what looked like the interior of any house of a clan leader. There was a fire and platforms and finely carved poles and animal effigies on the walls. On a platform before a fire and under two house posts bowls of food were displayed and Snowy Owl saw the Green Frog Bowl filled with some kind of meat. Shadows in the shape of human figures and birds squatted around the platform as if guests preparing to eat. The room was cold even though the flames of the fire burned high. An unseen drum and a flute played steady beats and musical notes.
The little boy stood between them and the fire.
“Welcome Bone Carrier and new man of the world. Your relatives are assembled. The potlatch can now begin.”
Then N’ha-itk said, “Little boy, your slave has brought your father a gift and we would like to show it to him.”
“My father will be here soon. Please show me your gift,” said the boy with excitement, still putting the bloody cloth to his mouth and seeming to stare at N’ha-itk wound. N’ha-itk gestured to Storm Dodger to show the stone mask and present it to the boy. “This is the sacred mask of Tsonox victory in battle. I offer it to your house in gratitude for your protection and bountiful provision. It is the greatest gift that we could give other than our lives, which we also offer. I hope that in return your father might give us the bones of my father so that we might take them back to our village that he might find rest among his people.”
The black clouds in the shape of human figures and great birds seemed to stare from the platform and the heatless fire flickered in the cold room.
Then the boy said, “Because you continue to fear us, we accept your gift and will give you what is left of your father, after you partake in our banquet. My father has set aside potlatch gifts for you -- gifts no other host will ever be able to repay. Each of you will go away with mighty power over your enemies, wealth more than any man, many wives and command as chief over devoted tribes to the end of your days. Afterwards your spirit will dwell with us here on this mountain as a ghost chief of all the earth. We only ask that you join in our feast.”
He gestured for them to come near to the displayed food where he picked up a bowl and drank. He wiped his mouth and said, “Sit at our fire. The dancers come.”
The men sat squatting when two giant bird creatures with large black eyes that reflected the firelight leaped to the center of the room and danced to music and drum. A voice from a corner sang the story of courageous supernatural beings who loved freedom, refused to be slaves and escaped to live on mighty mountains far from their oppressor. There they enjoyed freedom of choice and the pleasure of ruling over the people who served them in exchange for protection.
At the last beat of the drum, the smaller of the two bird creatures jumped in front of the raiders and standing on one clawed foot, grabbed the corpse mask from Storm Dodger and with the other foot held it to its face for several breaths. Then turning the mask to each man, it let out a high-pitched shout that sounded like a war victory cry.
Immediately the ice boy followed behind and said, “We accept your gift. Now eat.”
He took N’ha-itk’s hand and led the group to a spot to sit down before the displayed food.
“Here is our feast prepared for you, chiefs. Tasty bites of pleasure, high status, and freedom to do as you please without regard to authority and great power over the weak. Here are bowls of sweet revenge. Plates heaped with victory and unlimited treasures of war. Our stew is immortality!”
The three sat down and looked at the plates and bowls, but the dishes contained uncooked fish and animal heads, intestines and human body parts and the bowls were filled with blood and slime. The smell of decayed and rotten meat was repulsive.
“It takes some getting used to at first,” said the boy giggling.
“But, after you taste and eat, you will see how good, good, good our food really is.”
The shadow figures, bird creatures and the boy started eating handfuls of flesh, smearing their faces with grease and slime while gulping, cracking bones and making smacking sounds all at once.
Then Snowy Owl began to feel warmth in his heart as he did at the sacred fire. He glowed with glory light and began to see glory light shining from the doorway leading outside. He took hold of the green Frog Bowl, the one stolen from our people, and stood up to face the whole room of creatures, shadowy figures and the boy.
“This is a feast of death camus like the first meal you served the people. You feed us disease, greed, selfish indulgence, cruelty, lies, betrayal, deception, dishonor, rebellion, bitterness, empty illusion and misery. We will not eat your perverse food and we would rather die than accept your potlatch gifts.”
He turned the bowl upside down and rotten flesh dripped out onto the floor.
“We will not serve you or believe your tricks anymore. We have given you the mask. Now we take what is ours and depart.”
N’ha-itk and Kit-saph Strom Dodger also rose from the food and the three moved away back toward the door.
Suddenly the drumbeat and music stooped, the fire went out and all of the figures except the boy disappeared in the dark. The food also disappeared and all that was left was rocky gravel in a vast, ice-cold room. Snowy Owl still held firmly to the Green Frog Bowl.
“But, you can not refuse our offer. It will mean famine for your people. The whales and salmon will not return and your children will starve. The revenge of Setko will drag your damned souls into the deepest holes of the underworld. Wait, how dare you reject our feast. Slaves obey your masters!” cried the boy while the three braves walked backward toward the door. Though the room was dark, Snowy Owl followed the glory light shining from the direction of the door.
Outside they quickly took the chief’s skull and placed it into the pack along with the Frog Bowl and ran like deer down the hill jumping from rock to rock toward the giant boulders. As they ran the boy appeared at the doorway outside, stamped his feet, looked up and screamed, “Mother, sister! We have fresh meat for dinner!”
The mountain roared as before.
Next chapter
“All the offenses of the tribe are placed on your body,” said Nishga, who held out the palm of her hand and blew some kind of white powder onto Snowy Owl’s head.
Then Chah-nulth said, “We order you to go to Icy Mountain, wash in the cold waters of Crater Tarn, and offer yourself to the Chief of Ghosts. If you find favor in his sight, bring back to Raven’s Harbor the bones of our chief in order that he might rest among his people in his mortuary house. If you escape the jaws of Babakawquit, we agree to permit you and your people to go on a spirit quest to the lost islands to seek the spirit guardians of your people. If you fail to return all Kaw-Seth slaves will be executed and their bodies fed to our dogs in accordance to my word. Prepare for the hardest quest. Now go climb to the high place -- up there!”
He stomped his foot and pointed the raven stick back toward the white caped mountains behind him.
Snowy Owl gathered up his gear and set out alone on the path to the mountain pass. He brought with him the spear of Tillicum, his bow and arrows and quartz knife and wore around his neck the Thunderbird amulet threaded on rawhide string. The night before when Storm Dodger was led away to sleep, he whispered his secret plan to N’ha-itk, letting him know that from the last moon he had organized a group of slaves to secretly dig a large pit at the bottom of the first cliff where the trail to the pass begins the steep climb -- about a mornings walk from the village.
The pit -- big enough to hold a small lodge -- was dug in the sand bank near the Frog Song River that flowed from the waterfalls next to the trail up the cliff. The slaves who worked to secretly dig the hole were mostly Kaw-Seth young men who faithful followed all of the directions that Snowy Owl had given them.
“This pit will led to our freedom from the Tsonox,” he told them. Even Naidah helped by telling her masters that she and the others were digging roots in the foothills.
It was a warm early summer night and Snowy Owl camped at the edge of the pit, holding the Thunderbird amulet and carefully rehearsing details of the plan in his mind. He waited for N’ha-itk to join him as they had agreed. His mother and the others left when the sun went down and he sat before a fire cooking a venison steak -- the last good meal he expected for a while. The sounds of the creek nearby and the waterfall in the distance could easily be mistaken as the voices of men or spirits conversing together.
Then he heard a sharp whistle and knew that his friend successfully made his escape. N’ha-itk’s face appeared in the fire light, smiling and painted for battle. He wore the chief’s killer whale hat and carried his war spear and bow and arrows. Behind N’ha-itk came the brother of his Toxuit fiancée -- Kit-saph the Storm Dodger, also painted for battle.
“Welcome stealthy raiders. Or are you boys lost in the woods? I hope that you two won’t be late for the wedding. Would you like some of this meat?”
They shared a meal and talked and laughed about former fishing and hunting trips while the stars spun in a circle above their fire.
That night Snowy Owl told his companions about his spiritual experiences on the Lost Island and his struggle with the sesquecs. N’ha-itk believed that the spear of Tillicum might be enough to kill Babakawquit.
But, Storm Dodger replied, “Babakawquit breaks spears like a stick for the fire. He is mighty. My grandfathers took me to the Lair when I came of age and we saw the ice spirits in all their cruelty. We cut the throats of three slaves captured from our enemies and still it wasn’t enough blood. The monster and Cannibal Bird thirsted for more. We bowed and cut ourselves to show our allegiance in blood letting and a spirit entered into our shaman. Though him the monster threatened that our children would be born dead and diseases break out if we did not permit him to control our every desire.
We escaped by promising to bring some of our children to feed him and to prove our devotion. But, that was a trick. Instead we brought six skinned bear cubs and said that these were our children. Babakawquit ate each of them and breathed a cold breath on us like the dry cold wind from the north at the start of winter, causing our shaman to laugh until he fell on the ground and had to be carried away. That was fourteen years ago.”
N’ha-itk said, “You used the bodies of bear cubs, we will use this.”
He took out of his backpack the stone corpse mask and held it to his face. It was heavy, carved out of black stone so long ago that no one knew which family’s ancestor carved it. The eyes of the mask are closed, but the mouth is open with a hole that went though for the wearer to speak. Because the mask had magic powers, it was used only during special funerals or in rituals of the secret Cannibal Bird society that met in the wilderness before dangerous raids to call upon the spirits for success in battle. To remove the mask and to offer it as a sacrifice meant that the Tsonox might lose their prowess in war, and that is why N’ha-itk took the mask from the winter lodge without Chah-nulth knowing.
The next day they hiked up the steep trail that followed several waterfalls and a rainbow appeared to them in the morning sun. They hiked for five days and each day supernatural signs encouraged them. On the second day they saw a giant white buck – like the white deer that produces miraculous healing with his lick in stories.
The pure white buck – which was more the size of an elk than a deer -- had a four-point rack of antlers. He paused to lower his head and drank from a small stream that crossed the trail, and then jumped away into brush. Each of the men also paused to drink from the same pool of pure water melted from ice fields high above the tree line up along the horizon. Snowy Owl squatted to cup his hands into the cold flow and splashed his hair, exposing his cut off ear. The sun quickly dried his tunic.
On the evening of third day they saw a wave of northern lights glowing green and blue fill the sky. The illuminated spectacle hovered above the trees and shifted like a maiden combing her hair, causing the young braves to stare in awe. They knew that supernatural forces were moving.
In the forests of this pass lived many wolves that stalked the night looking for prey to devour like evil spirits that seek to poison the souls of men. The wolves watched their campfire from hidden places behind the trees, but did not harm them.
On the fourth day they heard an elk make a bugle call unseen from a thick forest and Snowy Owl dreamed that night of receiving advise from the big white deer. The deer bounded out of darkness to stand where he lay, sniffed in his face and whispered, “Be careful Owl friend, because my brothers say that predators are tracking you from behind. They stalk silently like a mountain lion and wait to ambush you from a high place. Keep your ears raised high and be prepared to leap away when they move against you.”
When Snowy Owl told his companions his dream in the morning, N'ah-ikt said, "Your dream warns of what is behind us, but I fear what awaits us at the end of the trail. Hearing your dream spurs me to reveal a horrible dream that awoke me last night as well. I would have kept it to myself otherwise. In my dream I was walking up a gorge when I looked up at the wall of a huge mountain looming above far into the sky-- so huge that I was like an ant. Then the mountain fell down upon me. What do you think this means?"
Snowy Owl replied, "Don't worry my friend. It is a favorable dream. The mountain stands for Babakawquit and just like the mountain he will fall. We will kill this hated monster once and for all and burn his body like firewood. Wonderful Doer of the heavens will give us complete victory through the power of his Thunderbird. Do not be afraid."
Chief N'ah-ikt was pleased with the interpretation and his face lit with a smile.
On the fifth day they reached the shores of Crater Tarn – the headwaters of Frog Song River -- and could see the snow on the roof of the monster’s Lair half way up on the side of the mountain about a mornings walk away. Above the Lair the tall rock spire with it’s flat top -- like the hoof of an elk -- rose to nearly the top of the ridge. The cloudy blue-green water glowed turquoise and reflected the narrow spire and the larger white peaks of Icy Mountain.
The raiders moved to the right side of the lake, following the shore trail closer to a temporary camp set up for quest seekers visiting the Lair. The lake was a place of ritual purification and the three men were careful to recite chants and wash in the cold waters. They warmed themselves at a large fire, knowing that the smoke would signal Babakawquit and his attendants that people had come to make an offering and they waited for an invitation to approach.
As the fire burned they sat to eat a meal of dried salmon mixed with blueberries and drank pure water from the lake. Storm Dodger then told them that his people believed that the waters reached down to the center of the earth and that in its depths lived a serpent creature named Hag-lixah who sometimes appears to drown the unworthy who swam there.
“This is why we must walk quietly on the shore and do not disturb the water too much as we bathe,” he said.
He knew men in his tribe who had seen the giant fanged monster with the body of a humped snake. It was as big as a cedar tree. He told the story of one quester long ago who didn’t believe in the spirits or ghosts, but was commanded to wash in the waters by his clan elder as punishment for disregarding ceremonial tradition. When the unbelieving brave swam out to the middle of the tarn, the reflection of the mountain crashed around him and dragged him to the bottom of the lake where he is still held by the serpent Hag-lixah.
Snowy Owl did not doubt that a monster hid in the lake and kept his spear within easy reach. Even though the lake and mountains were beautiful, all around this place he felt the presence of Setko, the rebellious spirit who first warred against the Creator in the beginning. The cold wind that shot down from the peaks seemed to confirm that this was the home of death. Nothing good could live long in such a wasteland of bare rock covered in ice and patches of snow. The cold was hard to breathe. Without fire or a warm cloak, the life of a brave would be quickly sucked away. The peaks pierced the floor of the cloudy sky world that boiled above like a foaming ocean.
The Kaw-Seth knew that the warmth of the earth in the summer animated both spirits and animals and produced the abundance of food that was harvested and stored for winter. At this time of year only the most powerful malevolent forces came down from these peaks to visit the world of men. The cold of the earth in winter drank up the life of the land and dulled the spirits, making them less likely to be offended. But here in the high places the spirit chiefs made their home year around and could easily strike anyone who dared come near. Here dwelled many demons living at the top of the world just as birds of prey seek perches from the highest trees. It was the most dangerous of all places.
From his childhood he knew of the many stories about supernatural beings that lived in the ice from before any tribe tried to cross the mountain passes. The men also feared an attack by the flying monsters from the top of the spire across the lake. They had heard that monster birds that ate human flesh could become invisible and suddenly snatch a man to his death at any moment. Beside the fear of supernatural attack, they kept in mind the warning of the white deer in the dream and considered that Chah-nulth could have sent his men to follow them.
The braves camped on the shore of the tarn and waited for a sign that Babakawquit would accept them into his Lair. They discussed sneaking up to steal the skull in the night. But, that would require a diversion, since the monster birds carefully guarded the Lair. They considered what to do.
Kit-saph Storm Dodger pointed out a mound of giant boulders at the base of the cliff on the way up to the Lair. The boulders looked like a bowl of camus roots of various shapes sticking up into the icy air.
“My father and I sought refuge there when a hail storm hit as we climbed. The boulders are large enough to protect us from the wind and hide us from view,” he said.
Snowy Owl replied, “That would be a good place to stage a raid to steal the bones.”
“Listen to me,” said N’ha-itk in his chiefly voice.
“We are in Babakawquit’s territory now. We must obey the way of the Lair House. Storm Dodger and me have visited it before, but you must know that we cannot bring weapons up to the doorway. We must move slowly, as if stalking a deer and a gift or sacrifice is required or the monster birds will devour us. Trust me. We must do things properly or the spirits will be angered and we will loose all.”
On the morning of the third day at the camp, in the opposite direction they saw another group of braves coming up the trail to the tarn. The hats indicated that the new group was Tsonox people. They walked openly, not hiding as if on a raid without weapons raised, but because of the white deer dream, Snowy Owl feared that it was a war party.
Soon he recognized that the group was lead by Nishga and that among some slaves were three warriors and that one of them was Luwa-itk. The Tsonox party came up the valley trail that was also the only path of retreat. Smoke from their fire revealed their presence. Trapped between the approaching party below and Babakawquit above, they had no choice but put the plan into action.
Carrying weapons and the pack with the mask, the three braves ran on the rocky path directly towards the boulder-hiding place -- about half way up to the Lair. Looking back they could see that the warriors had reached the tarn and were moving toward the camp. It was then that N’ha-itk lost his footing on the ice coated path and fell, rolling over on his side down the hill and badly cutting the palm of his right hand. His arms quickly turned red with a large amount of blood. His friends helped him up and wrapped his wounded hands in the rough cloth used to pack the mask, which was undamaged in the fall. The three chiefs scrambled to the shadow of the boulders. As soon as the Tsonox reached the camp, they stoked the fire to produce much white smoke, apparently a shaman’s trick to stir the spirits against them.
Suddenly they heard a huge roar like lightening coming from the top of Icy Mountain. The boom sounded like thunder, but there was no lightening flash or black storm clouds. This must be the voice of Babakawquit cursing them for violating his high place without invitation. The crash and roar made them crouch closer to the giant boulders and Snowy Owl took out his Thunderbird amulet and chanted for supernatural help. Down at the tarn they heard singing coming from the tarn camp -- it was the Crooked Beak song being sung by the war party in response the thunderous roar.
Another boom cracked again and the earth shook as the three hid among the rocks that stood about three times the size of a man above them. They knew that the Lair was only a short run up the hill. The plan was for N’ha-itk and Kit-saph to act as spokesmen for the Bone Carrier and to approach the doorway to offer the stone mask as a gift to placate the ghosts, while Snowy Owl stayed behind to guard the weapons. Storm Dodger took out the corpse mask in both hands and held it over his head and began to sing his tribe’s protection song. The two spokesmen walked slowly as if in a procession out into the open and toward the skull decorated doorway.
In the shadow of the boulders Snowy Owl remembered his vision. He did not come to trick and steal from the monster. He wanted to defeat Babakawquit by the power of the Great Spirit. He also wanted to return to his people the ancient Green Frog Bowl.
“I must not fear that loose toothed trickster spirit. He is nothing compared to the glory of Wonderful Doer. In fact, he is like a wasp waiting to be swatted. I will confront him and take what is rightfully mine.”
When the braves reached the door to the Lair, they called out, “spirits, we have come to reclaim the bones of our chief.”
Then a boy about seven years old with a big belly and un-kept shoulder length hair and dressed in a white mountain-goat pelt coat and black bear fur moccasins walked out of the house and said, “Welcome to our war house bold slaves. Come in for we have prepared a feast.”
“Eat with us -- we have gifts for you. But, first go and bring the other. When you three return, please come into our war house. We will welcome you as our potlatch guests.”
He walked up to N’ha-itk, saying “Give me that rag, slave.”
He tugged at the bloody cloth used to wrap his wounds and pulled it away, then put it in his mouth and sucked the blood. The boy waved them to go back.
The men looked at each other as the boy retreated back into the rock lair. They returned to the boulder and told Snowy Owl about the boy and his invitation to the potlatch.
“This is unheard of. The spirits have never offered gifts to people without first demanding much sacrifice and devotion,” said N’ha-itk.
They hid the spear of Tillicum and their bow and arrows and knives in a crack between two boulders and covered them with snow. The three chiefs climbed unarmed up to the Lair, still hearing singing from the camp below. When they arrived at the doorway, N’ha-itk pointed to the remains of his father, fitted into the doorway as a decoration.
“Spirits, we come.” With the Thunderbird amulet hung by whale gut twine around his neck, Snowy Owl bent down to lead the other raiders into the Lair.
Once inside, they saw what looked like the interior of any house of a clan leader. There was a fire and platforms and finely carved poles and animal effigies on the walls. On a platform before a fire and under two house posts bowls of food were displayed and Snowy Owl saw the Green Frog Bowl filled with some kind of meat. Shadows in the shape of human figures and birds squatted around the platform as if guests preparing to eat. The room was cold even though the flames of the fire burned high. An unseen drum and a flute played steady beats and musical notes.
The little boy stood between them and the fire.
“Welcome Bone Carrier and new man of the world. Your relatives are assembled. The potlatch can now begin.”
Then N’ha-itk said, “Little boy, your slave has brought your father a gift and we would like to show it to him.”
“My father will be here soon. Please show me your gift,” said the boy with excitement, still putting the bloody cloth to his mouth and seeming to stare at N’ha-itk wound. N’ha-itk gestured to Storm Dodger to show the stone mask and present it to the boy. “This is the sacred mask of Tsonox victory in battle. I offer it to your house in gratitude for your protection and bountiful provision. It is the greatest gift that we could give other than our lives, which we also offer. I hope that in return your father might give us the bones of my father so that we might take them back to our village that he might find rest among his people.”
The black clouds in the shape of human figures and great birds seemed to stare from the platform and the heatless fire flickered in the cold room.
Then the boy said, “Because you continue to fear us, we accept your gift and will give you what is left of your father, after you partake in our banquet. My father has set aside potlatch gifts for you -- gifts no other host will ever be able to repay. Each of you will go away with mighty power over your enemies, wealth more than any man, many wives and command as chief over devoted tribes to the end of your days. Afterwards your spirit will dwell with us here on this mountain as a ghost chief of all the earth. We only ask that you join in our feast.”
He gestured for them to come near to the displayed food where he picked up a bowl and drank. He wiped his mouth and said, “Sit at our fire. The dancers come.”
The men sat squatting when two giant bird creatures with large black eyes that reflected the firelight leaped to the center of the room and danced to music and drum. A voice from a corner sang the story of courageous supernatural beings who loved freedom, refused to be slaves and escaped to live on mighty mountains far from their oppressor. There they enjoyed freedom of choice and the pleasure of ruling over the people who served them in exchange for protection.
At the last beat of the drum, the smaller of the two bird creatures jumped in front of the raiders and standing on one clawed foot, grabbed the corpse mask from Storm Dodger and with the other foot held it to its face for several breaths. Then turning the mask to each man, it let out a high-pitched shout that sounded like a war victory cry.
Immediately the ice boy followed behind and said, “We accept your gift. Now eat.”
He took N’ha-itk’s hand and led the group to a spot to sit down before the displayed food.
“Here is our feast prepared for you, chiefs. Tasty bites of pleasure, high status, and freedom to do as you please without regard to authority and great power over the weak. Here are bowls of sweet revenge. Plates heaped with victory and unlimited treasures of war. Our stew is immortality!”
The three sat down and looked at the plates and bowls, but the dishes contained uncooked fish and animal heads, intestines and human body parts and the bowls were filled with blood and slime. The smell of decayed and rotten meat was repulsive.
“It takes some getting used to at first,” said the boy giggling.
“But, after you taste and eat, you will see how good, good, good our food really is.”
The shadow figures, bird creatures and the boy started eating handfuls of flesh, smearing their faces with grease and slime while gulping, cracking bones and making smacking sounds all at once.
Then Snowy Owl began to feel warmth in his heart as he did at the sacred fire. He glowed with glory light and began to see glory light shining from the doorway leading outside. He took hold of the green Frog Bowl, the one stolen from our people, and stood up to face the whole room of creatures, shadowy figures and the boy.
“This is a feast of death camus like the first meal you served the people. You feed us disease, greed, selfish indulgence, cruelty, lies, betrayal, deception, dishonor, rebellion, bitterness, empty illusion and misery. We will not eat your perverse food and we would rather die than accept your potlatch gifts.”
He turned the bowl upside down and rotten flesh dripped out onto the floor.
“We will not serve you or believe your tricks anymore. We have given you the mask. Now we take what is ours and depart.”
N’ha-itk and Kit-saph Strom Dodger also rose from the food and the three moved away back toward the door.
Suddenly the drumbeat and music stooped, the fire went out and all of the figures except the boy disappeared in the dark. The food also disappeared and all that was left was rocky gravel in a vast, ice-cold room. Snowy Owl still held firmly to the Green Frog Bowl.
“But, you can not refuse our offer. It will mean famine for your people. The whales and salmon will not return and your children will starve. The revenge of Setko will drag your damned souls into the deepest holes of the underworld. Wait, how dare you reject our feast. Slaves obey your masters!” cried the boy while the three braves walked backward toward the door. Though the room was dark, Snowy Owl followed the glory light shining from the direction of the door.
Outside they quickly took the chief’s skull and placed it into the pack along with the Frog Bowl and ran like deer down the hill jumping from rock to rock toward the giant boulders. As they ran the boy appeared at the doorway outside, stamped his feet, looked up and screamed, “Mother, sister! We have fresh meat for dinner!”
The mountain roared as before.
Next chapter
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