Mosquito, continued
He took out a knife and cut off one of N’ha-itk’s braids, one that was decorated with the chief’s otter tooth pendant and held the lock of hair up before them. “The people can bury this along with his chiefly garments and war club. Once we are past the tarn trail, I will return to my village by the other pass. May the Great Spirit protect you, chief,” he said looking into Snowy Owl’s face that appeared washed with either tears or rain drops.
It was then looking down at the body of his murdered friend that Snowy Owl made a vow. He bowed his head and cried, "Rest now Little Brother. We will hunt together again in a better place. Until then I promise to carve the finest mortuary pole that the world has ever seen and dedicate a winter lodge big enough for a whole village in your memory. We will never forget you.”
This is how the Brothers-in-Unity-House was built and the Triumph-over-Death Pole came to stand on the islet in Bloodroot Bay.
The mountain clouds thundered again and they looked up to see a burst of rain and hail stones falling. They dragged the blood stained remains of N’ha-itk to a long crack between the boulders, and quickly covered it with flat stones. Then they turned to look at the motionless Nishga, still knocked unconscious but protected from the rain by the rocks. They agreed that the slaves still at the lake would be able to take her home when she revived.
Snowy Owl picked up the Spear of Tillicum from the gravel and noticed that it looked to him as beautiful as the first day that he saw it at the sacred fire. The polished black point reflected light and seemed to shine even in the shadows. That light had guided his steps to victory many times before. From now on he would keep the spear near to him day and night, he tought. After quickly collecting the other weapons that they could find, the braves rushed down over broken rocks to the tarn camp to gather gear cached there and drink some water. The slaves were hiding under big trees to escape the storm and the fighting.
“Your shaman needs you up at the boulders,” they said calling out to where the slaves were hiding, “Go and help her.”
When they reached the opposite side of the lake they neared where Storm Dodger would part, they heard a long thunderous roar up the mountain and saw a huge blanket of snow break off from the peaks and tumble down, covering the lodge, the boulders and even down to the quest camp at the shore. The earth trembled and the roar continued for many breaths and the avalanche made waves spread across the tarn toward them.
The roar quieted. “Wonderful Doer saved us today,” said Snowy Owl, “but the slaves and Nishga are gone.” The hale continued to pour down upon them, soaking their hair and clothes. Both braves were chilled and growing numb from the cold as well as from grief for their friend. Without his hat and his hair soaked wet, Snowy Owl used his hands to rung water from his head, exposing his mutilated right ear.
Just then out of the snow at the other side of the lake a giant black figure like a huge boulder in the shape of something like a man emerged from a covering of snow and ice. It shook off the ice, and caused the earth to tremble by stamping its feet in rage. The figure lifted its head to the sky and screamed a roar louder than the mountain thunder and avalanche. Then it turned toward the braves and began to move in their direction. With each step, it seemed to grow larger.
Running with all of their might, the two braves split up, Snowy Owl continued down the trail while Storm Dodger made his way to the pass back to his village on the other side of Icy Mountain.
The monster stopped at the end of the tarn to swing a fist at Storm Dodger escaping across the valley, then roared and leaped down in Snowy Owl’s direction who was running until his heart hurt in his chest.
He paused to take deep breaths beneath a rock wall cliff, knowing that the monster was quickly approaching when he looked down and saw a jade rock. His heart warmed as he hit the stone with the spear of Tillicum. The stone glowed with glory light. He picked it up and threw it as hard and as far as he could in the direction of the monster. The rock hit the side of the cliff and he heard a rumble as a massive rockslide fell across the path and into the narrow valley behind him.
He ran throughout the night, resting when he could, but not for long because he was afraid that Babakawquit would dig himself out of the rock slide. He continued the next day hiking through the wolf forest. When evening came he built a fire to warm himself and cook some food. Just as he was about to eat, a pack of wolfs entered his camp. Their eyes reflected his firelight and circled all around. He took out the Thunderbird amulet and began to sing to the wolves, trying to lull them, when he felt the ground shake, softly at first, then louder. It was Babakawquit coming!
Just as he stood up, gathering up his gear and weapons to run, a large he-wolf leapt toward him and knocked him down, biting and ripping his tunic. He reached for the spear and used it like a knife to stab the snaring wolf, which yelped and backed away. As it fell back, the wolf seemed to double in size. Then he stabbed in the direction of all of the wolves that ringed his fire, at each stab, a wolf cried as if cut and he could see their shadows grow into giant wolves.
Sensing better prey, the pack of supernatural wolves ran away toward the approaching Babakawquit. Snowy Owl gathered his gear and rushed into the night down the trail lit by moonlight. From behind he heard mighty yelps, snarling and growling of the wolves ripping into the monster that also roared like a storm cloud in what must have been a terrible fight.
At daybreak, Muxqueum Snowy Owl was exhausted, but knew that the monster probably succeeded in fighting off the wolves and would not be far behind him. “Creator and Transformer what should I do?” he prayed in desperation. It was then that he noticed something white in the brush moving toward him. It was big white buck, the same one that he had seen before and appeared to him in his dream. Cautiously at first, the animal walked up to him as if it were a dog and licked his face.
“If only I could run as fast as you my friend,” he said to the large buck that looked at him as if seeking some food. He reached into his pack and took out a handful of berries, which the animal lapped up from his palm. Then it occurred to him that the buck might carry him back to the village. He petted the neck of the tall white creature -- that looked more the size of an elk than any deer that we know today -- and crawled up on his back with all of his gear.
The deer willingly carried him down the trail, slowly at first, then in a trot and when the path was straight in a full run leaping over brush and logs like a flying bird. By nightfall they had traveled a great distance and made it to the headwaters of the Frog Song stream that fed the waterfall of the last pass down to Raven’s Harbor.
That night he stopped to set up a camp besides the stream and lit a fire. The white buck grazed on sweet grasses and patches of tiny blue flowers that grew thick in a meadow nearby. As he rested after eating, again he felt the ground faintly shake in the steps of the approaching monster in the distance. He again chanted the protection song, looking at the figure of the frog on his amulet.
“The eyes of undying frog see forever,” he remembered his mother saying.
The ground shock more heavily as he took out the spear and spit on it. Then he washed it in the stream and called, “White Buck come once again. I need another ride.” He climbed on the deer and they headed for high ground because a flash flood was coming down the stream valley, swamping the monster in much water. The next morning they reached the top of the final cliff and he could see the ocean on the horizon below. Relief and excitement filled his heart at the thought of victory near. He climbed off the deer for the last time and it bounded into the forest as Snowy Owl began the descent down the steep trail to the village.
Soon he reached the bottom of the cliff, walked past the waterfall and found his way to the great pit he had commanded the slaves to secretly dig. It was midday and he saw campfire smoke nearby. It was a day camp of slaves waiting for him, as they had done for the last few days anticipating his return. There among them was his mother, Naidah, who greeted him and gave him water.
“Quick, mother,” he said urgently. “Get the sacred fire start going.”
She had taken it from the bear effigy in the winter lodge and replaced it with a normal clamshell, just as they had planned. The slaves started a fire in the bottom of the pit, stacked with dry, pitch filled logs which burned very hot for the rest of the day. By late afternoon, the people in the village noticed the smoke and Chah-nulth and his men walked out to see if the forest was on fire. Before they arrived, the fire died down and only very hot coals remained. The slaves covered the pit with brush and waited.
When Chah-nulth and the clan leaders arrived, they were astonished to see Snowy Owl alive. “Chah-nulth, know that I am carrier of the remains of two chiefs.” He handed the sack with the skull and hair braid and otter tooth earring to one of the clan leaders.
“Take these remains and put them to rest in your hollowed ground. My quest is fulfilled. I went to Icy Mountain and washed in the waters of Crater Tarn. I visited the Lair of Babakawquit and escaped his judgment and return alive in victory. Now you, oh Spokesman, must be true to your word and let my people go to dance in honor of the Creator on the far islands.”
“We commanded you to return with the remains of the chief, but not his son. I sent my daughter to protect him and his brother-in-law from certain doom, but you led them straight to the underworld instead. We agreed that you may take the slaves, but only for one moon and I say that each of you must return by then, or we will send our war canoes to kill you all. Babakawquit is not so easily tricked,” said Chah-nulth.
Then the people heard a roar up the side of the mountain as the flow of water in the waterfall greatly increased.
“It is a flash flood and soon you will witness the victory of the Kaw-Seth over your demon chief,” said Snowy Owl standing with the covered pit between him and the trail. He turned to the trail and all of the people felt the earth shake. The evening light grew dim with night approaching.
Suddenly, the many toothed monster about four times the size of a man turned the corner of the trail and walked into view. He roared and showed his teeth and his eyes glowed red with anger. Shadowy figures of other spirits were all around him like a tunic -- obscuring a clear view of his features. Everyone felt a blast of cold and the dogs and people ran away frightened by the sight. But, the clan leaders and Chah-nulth watched as Snowy Owl and the other slaves stood proudly up to the monster.
“Babakawquit, you cursed spirit of deception. You will never torment our people like you have done before with your lust for blood! Come here and taste your final meal!” Snowy Owl shouted to the tree tops.
The people began to throw stones at the monster that breathed with anger. It leaped to grasp a reckless young man who moved dangerously near, bit off his head, licking the severed neck before tossing the body spinning like a doll far into the forest.
Then it moved towards the taunting people, roared a scream, and stepped onto the covering over the pit. Instantly it fell to the bottom -- just as the Kaw-Seth had planned. The monster screeched in the burning coals produced by the supernatural fire start. Quickly the people heaped many loads of dry pitch-filled wood and branches and poured large baskets of candlefish oil into the pit and a hot fire shot flames high into the air. The voice of the monster was stilled.
By then the clan leaders and Chah-nulth retreated because they feared that the anger of the ice ghost might explode. They went directly to the war lodge to warn the warriors that the slaves had rebelled.
The sacred fire burned hot all night and the Kaw-Seth people celebrated and danced around the pit, joyfully singing of freedom and redemption. Large baskets of bloodroot paste were opened and the people painted their bodies in the ancient tradition.
“We are Kaw-Seth, the new people. Reborn to fly like eagles in dawn.”
The next morning as the people awoke from a night of celebration all they found at bottom of the pit was smoldering white ash. Some of the slaves returned to the village to prepare for their voyage to the islands, but Snowy Owl and Naidah remained at the pit, guarding it with the spear of Tillicum and charms.
“Consumed by sacred fire Babakawquit is finished,” said Snowy Owl. “But, some remnant of his power may remain in these ashes. Tell the people to spread the bloodroot paint thick upon their faces and arms and continue to chant the victory song as the strong men get ready to take the war canoes.”
While the Kaw-Seth women, children and old men chanted and sang all morning, Chah-nulth ordered his warriors to attack those assembled at the pit and to cut the throats of all slaves preparing to depart in the villages. Just as a raiding party of strong warriors creeping through the forest neared the singing people, a cold wind like the ones felt in the presence of evil spirits swept down from the cliff and blew hard against the people. Hats had to be held with hands and heads were bent against the blast that caused the people to shiver.
Snowy Owl and his mother watched as a lesser gust blew down into the pit and stirred up a cloud of white ash. The cloud of ash expanded and rose high above all the people and seemed to move like a ghost. Suddenly they realized that the ash had turned into an insect swarm. Before that time, no one had ever seen this kind of blood-sucking insect. These were the first mosquitoes.
“This must be the answer to our prayers!” cried Snowy Owl to the devoted people around him.
“Now, run to the war canoes!”
The red bloodroot paint kept the insects from biting the Kaw-Seth people, but the giant cloud soon overwhelmed the Tsonox warriors, causing them to scatter into the forest in confusion. Thousands and thousands of hungry mosquitoes spread out and descended upon all four villages biting the skin of every Tsonox man, woman and child. Even the dogs were tormented. While the Tsonox frantically slapped their bodies, swung into the wind or ran to jump into the ocean to escape the bites, the Kaw-Seth people, along with other slaves who joined them, proceeded to load the war canoes with their provisions and belongings. No warrior tried to stop them.
That day seventy long war canoes and twenty skin boats filled with the people paddled into the Frog Tongue Inlet led by Chief Snowy Owl. While the canoes and boats gathered, Chah-nulth, his body covered with swollen bite marks and black insects still sucking blood, walked as if enduring a painful ritual along the shore until he neared Snowy Owl’s canoe to call out to him. Many mosquitoes flew around his head.
It was then looking down at the body of his murdered friend that Snowy Owl made a vow. He bowed his head and cried, "Rest now Little Brother. We will hunt together again in a better place. Until then I promise to carve the finest mortuary pole that the world has ever seen and dedicate a winter lodge big enough for a whole village in your memory. We will never forget you.”
This is how the Brothers-in-Unity-House was built and the Triumph-over-Death Pole came to stand on the islet in Bloodroot Bay.
The mountain clouds thundered again and they looked up to see a burst of rain and hail stones falling. They dragged the blood stained remains of N’ha-itk to a long crack between the boulders, and quickly covered it with flat stones. Then they turned to look at the motionless Nishga, still knocked unconscious but protected from the rain by the rocks. They agreed that the slaves still at the lake would be able to take her home when she revived.
Snowy Owl picked up the Spear of Tillicum from the gravel and noticed that it looked to him as beautiful as the first day that he saw it at the sacred fire. The polished black point reflected light and seemed to shine even in the shadows. That light had guided his steps to victory many times before. From now on he would keep the spear near to him day and night, he tought. After quickly collecting the other weapons that they could find, the braves rushed down over broken rocks to the tarn camp to gather gear cached there and drink some water. The slaves were hiding under big trees to escape the storm and the fighting.
“Your shaman needs you up at the boulders,” they said calling out to where the slaves were hiding, “Go and help her.”
When they reached the opposite side of the lake they neared where Storm Dodger would part, they heard a long thunderous roar up the mountain and saw a huge blanket of snow break off from the peaks and tumble down, covering the lodge, the boulders and even down to the quest camp at the shore. The earth trembled and the roar continued for many breaths and the avalanche made waves spread across the tarn toward them.
The roar quieted. “Wonderful Doer saved us today,” said Snowy Owl, “but the slaves and Nishga are gone.” The hale continued to pour down upon them, soaking their hair and clothes. Both braves were chilled and growing numb from the cold as well as from grief for their friend. Without his hat and his hair soaked wet, Snowy Owl used his hands to rung water from his head, exposing his mutilated right ear.
Just then out of the snow at the other side of the lake a giant black figure like a huge boulder in the shape of something like a man emerged from a covering of snow and ice. It shook off the ice, and caused the earth to tremble by stamping its feet in rage. The figure lifted its head to the sky and screamed a roar louder than the mountain thunder and avalanche. Then it turned toward the braves and began to move in their direction. With each step, it seemed to grow larger.
Running with all of their might, the two braves split up, Snowy Owl continued down the trail while Storm Dodger made his way to the pass back to his village on the other side of Icy Mountain.
The monster stopped at the end of the tarn to swing a fist at Storm Dodger escaping across the valley, then roared and leaped down in Snowy Owl’s direction who was running until his heart hurt in his chest.
He paused to take deep breaths beneath a rock wall cliff, knowing that the monster was quickly approaching when he looked down and saw a jade rock. His heart warmed as he hit the stone with the spear of Tillicum. The stone glowed with glory light. He picked it up and threw it as hard and as far as he could in the direction of the monster. The rock hit the side of the cliff and he heard a rumble as a massive rockslide fell across the path and into the narrow valley behind him.
He ran throughout the night, resting when he could, but not for long because he was afraid that Babakawquit would dig himself out of the rock slide. He continued the next day hiking through the wolf forest. When evening came he built a fire to warm himself and cook some food. Just as he was about to eat, a pack of wolfs entered his camp. Their eyes reflected his firelight and circled all around. He took out the Thunderbird amulet and began to sing to the wolves, trying to lull them, when he felt the ground shake, softly at first, then louder. It was Babakawquit coming!
Just as he stood up, gathering up his gear and weapons to run, a large he-wolf leapt toward him and knocked him down, biting and ripping his tunic. He reached for the spear and used it like a knife to stab the snaring wolf, which yelped and backed away. As it fell back, the wolf seemed to double in size. Then he stabbed in the direction of all of the wolves that ringed his fire, at each stab, a wolf cried as if cut and he could see their shadows grow into giant wolves.
Sensing better prey, the pack of supernatural wolves ran away toward the approaching Babakawquit. Snowy Owl gathered his gear and rushed into the night down the trail lit by moonlight. From behind he heard mighty yelps, snarling and growling of the wolves ripping into the monster that also roared like a storm cloud in what must have been a terrible fight.
At daybreak, Muxqueum Snowy Owl was exhausted, but knew that the monster probably succeeded in fighting off the wolves and would not be far behind him. “Creator and Transformer what should I do?” he prayed in desperation. It was then that he noticed something white in the brush moving toward him. It was big white buck, the same one that he had seen before and appeared to him in his dream. Cautiously at first, the animal walked up to him as if it were a dog and licked his face.
“If only I could run as fast as you my friend,” he said to the large buck that looked at him as if seeking some food. He reached into his pack and took out a handful of berries, which the animal lapped up from his palm. Then it occurred to him that the buck might carry him back to the village. He petted the neck of the tall white creature -- that looked more the size of an elk than any deer that we know today -- and crawled up on his back with all of his gear.
The deer willingly carried him down the trail, slowly at first, then in a trot and when the path was straight in a full run leaping over brush and logs like a flying bird. By nightfall they had traveled a great distance and made it to the headwaters of the Frog Song stream that fed the waterfall of the last pass down to Raven’s Harbor.
That night he stopped to set up a camp besides the stream and lit a fire. The white buck grazed on sweet grasses and patches of tiny blue flowers that grew thick in a meadow nearby. As he rested after eating, again he felt the ground faintly shake in the steps of the approaching monster in the distance. He again chanted the protection song, looking at the figure of the frog on his amulet.
“The eyes of undying frog see forever,” he remembered his mother saying.
The ground shock more heavily as he took out the spear and spit on it. Then he washed it in the stream and called, “White Buck come once again. I need another ride.” He climbed on the deer and they headed for high ground because a flash flood was coming down the stream valley, swamping the monster in much water. The next morning they reached the top of the final cliff and he could see the ocean on the horizon below. Relief and excitement filled his heart at the thought of victory near. He climbed off the deer for the last time and it bounded into the forest as Snowy Owl began the descent down the steep trail to the village.
Soon he reached the bottom of the cliff, walked past the waterfall and found his way to the great pit he had commanded the slaves to secretly dig. It was midday and he saw campfire smoke nearby. It was a day camp of slaves waiting for him, as they had done for the last few days anticipating his return. There among them was his mother, Naidah, who greeted him and gave him water.
“Quick, mother,” he said urgently. “Get the sacred fire start going.”
She had taken it from the bear effigy in the winter lodge and replaced it with a normal clamshell, just as they had planned. The slaves started a fire in the bottom of the pit, stacked with dry, pitch filled logs which burned very hot for the rest of the day. By late afternoon, the people in the village noticed the smoke and Chah-nulth and his men walked out to see if the forest was on fire. Before they arrived, the fire died down and only very hot coals remained. The slaves covered the pit with brush and waited.
When Chah-nulth and the clan leaders arrived, they were astonished to see Snowy Owl alive. “Chah-nulth, know that I am carrier of the remains of two chiefs.” He handed the sack with the skull and hair braid and otter tooth earring to one of the clan leaders.
“Take these remains and put them to rest in your hollowed ground. My quest is fulfilled. I went to Icy Mountain and washed in the waters of Crater Tarn. I visited the Lair of Babakawquit and escaped his judgment and return alive in victory. Now you, oh Spokesman, must be true to your word and let my people go to dance in honor of the Creator on the far islands.”
“We commanded you to return with the remains of the chief, but not his son. I sent my daughter to protect him and his brother-in-law from certain doom, but you led them straight to the underworld instead. We agreed that you may take the slaves, but only for one moon and I say that each of you must return by then, or we will send our war canoes to kill you all. Babakawquit is not so easily tricked,” said Chah-nulth.
Then the people heard a roar up the side of the mountain as the flow of water in the waterfall greatly increased.
“It is a flash flood and soon you will witness the victory of the Kaw-Seth over your demon chief,” said Snowy Owl standing with the covered pit between him and the trail. He turned to the trail and all of the people felt the earth shake. The evening light grew dim with night approaching.
Suddenly, the many toothed monster about four times the size of a man turned the corner of the trail and walked into view. He roared and showed his teeth and his eyes glowed red with anger. Shadowy figures of other spirits were all around him like a tunic -- obscuring a clear view of his features. Everyone felt a blast of cold and the dogs and people ran away frightened by the sight. But, the clan leaders and Chah-nulth watched as Snowy Owl and the other slaves stood proudly up to the monster.
“Babakawquit, you cursed spirit of deception. You will never torment our people like you have done before with your lust for blood! Come here and taste your final meal!” Snowy Owl shouted to the tree tops.
The people began to throw stones at the monster that breathed with anger. It leaped to grasp a reckless young man who moved dangerously near, bit off his head, licking the severed neck before tossing the body spinning like a doll far into the forest.
Then it moved towards the taunting people, roared a scream, and stepped onto the covering over the pit. Instantly it fell to the bottom -- just as the Kaw-Seth had planned. The monster screeched in the burning coals produced by the supernatural fire start. Quickly the people heaped many loads of dry pitch-filled wood and branches and poured large baskets of candlefish oil into the pit and a hot fire shot flames high into the air. The voice of the monster was stilled.
By then the clan leaders and Chah-nulth retreated because they feared that the anger of the ice ghost might explode. They went directly to the war lodge to warn the warriors that the slaves had rebelled.
The sacred fire burned hot all night and the Kaw-Seth people celebrated and danced around the pit, joyfully singing of freedom and redemption. Large baskets of bloodroot paste were opened and the people painted their bodies in the ancient tradition.
“We are Kaw-Seth, the new people. Reborn to fly like eagles in dawn.”
The next morning as the people awoke from a night of celebration all they found at bottom of the pit was smoldering white ash. Some of the slaves returned to the village to prepare for their voyage to the islands, but Snowy Owl and Naidah remained at the pit, guarding it with the spear of Tillicum and charms.
“Consumed by sacred fire Babakawquit is finished,” said Snowy Owl. “But, some remnant of his power may remain in these ashes. Tell the people to spread the bloodroot paint thick upon their faces and arms and continue to chant the victory song as the strong men get ready to take the war canoes.”
While the Kaw-Seth women, children and old men chanted and sang all morning, Chah-nulth ordered his warriors to attack those assembled at the pit and to cut the throats of all slaves preparing to depart in the villages. Just as a raiding party of strong warriors creeping through the forest neared the singing people, a cold wind like the ones felt in the presence of evil spirits swept down from the cliff and blew hard against the people. Hats had to be held with hands and heads were bent against the blast that caused the people to shiver.
Snowy Owl and his mother watched as a lesser gust blew down into the pit and stirred up a cloud of white ash. The cloud of ash expanded and rose high above all the people and seemed to move like a ghost. Suddenly they realized that the ash had turned into an insect swarm. Before that time, no one had ever seen this kind of blood-sucking insect. These were the first mosquitoes.
“This must be the answer to our prayers!” cried Snowy Owl to the devoted people around him.
“Now, run to the war canoes!”
The red bloodroot paint kept the insects from biting the Kaw-Seth people, but the giant cloud soon overwhelmed the Tsonox warriors, causing them to scatter into the forest in confusion. Thousands and thousands of hungry mosquitoes spread out and descended upon all four villages biting the skin of every Tsonox man, woman and child. Even the dogs were tormented. While the Tsonox frantically slapped their bodies, swung into the wind or ran to jump into the ocean to escape the bites, the Kaw-Seth people, along with other slaves who joined them, proceeded to load the war canoes with their provisions and belongings. No warrior tried to stop them.
That day seventy long war canoes and twenty skin boats filled with the people paddled into the Frog Tongue Inlet led by Chief Snowy Owl. While the canoes and boats gathered, Chah-nulth, his body covered with swollen bite marks and black insects still sucking blood, walked as if enduring a painful ritual along the shore until he neared Snowy Owl’s canoe to call out to him. Many mosquitoes flew around his head.
“For cursing us with these blood sucking insects, we banish you and your people from our territory until the world ends!” he proclaimed with his hands folded across his chest.
As the canoes pulled away from the shore and made their way out to sea, the people – no longer slaves except to Wonderful Doer – began to sing the victory song in rhythm with the strokes of the paddles until they were gone from Raven’s Harbor forever.
That is how the Kaw-Seth first came to Island Home where we live in peace to this day.
Part Two
As the canoes pulled away from the shore and made their way out to sea, the people – no longer slaves except to Wonderful Doer – began to sing the victory song in rhythm with the strokes of the paddles until they were gone from Raven’s Harbor forever.
That is how the Kaw-Seth first came to Island Home where we live in peace to this day.
Part Two
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