tskwimulus ’i’ p’q’alus | Red Eye, White Eye
Johnny Page told the story Red Eye, White Eye to Dobly Turner during the summer of 1929 at Green Point along the Cowichan River. Later in her life, Turner published the story in When the Rains Came: And Other Legends of the Salish People (Dolby Bevan Turner, 1992, p. 61-71). Ruby Peter translated the story into Hul’q’umi’num’ in 2015 with the help of Thomas Jones. It has been edited by Donna Gerdts, Elena Barriera, Monique Joseph, and Lucas Chamber. Sound recording and editing by Donna Gerdts.
- ’u kw’un’a.a.a’ wulh hith ’i’ ’uweelh niis thi tun’a tumuhw ’i’ ’uweelh niis tsakw tthu shhw’ethutun.
Long, long ago the world was not so big, and the clouds were not so far away. - ’i’ ni’ tthu swaaw’lus qw’uqw’i’tul—hay tthu sun’tl’e’ hay wulh ’apun ’i’ kw’ te’tsus ’i’ hay tthu sa’suqwt hay wulh yu hunum’ kws ’apuns ’i’ kw’ tth’a’kwus.
There were two young brothers—the older boy had just turned eighteen, and the younger nearly seventeen. - suw’ yaths ’uw’ ’aam’ut ni’ ’u tthu tsuwmun ’utl’ tl’ulpalus, yath ’uw’ xetstus tthu shhw’ethutun ’uw’ niis stsekwul’.
They would sit on the beach at Cowichan Bay and they would wonder about the clouds. - ’i’ yath ’uw’ le’lum’utus ’eelhtun tthu yuse’lu ni’ ni’ ’u tthu tsitsulh shxwu’ixw.
Also, they were looking at two large openings up in the sky. - ’i’ yath ’uw’ tth’al’xwum’, st’ee ’uw’ ’iis hwtl’ay’kwustum’ ’eelhtun.
These big ones twinkled as though they were winking at them. - suw’ putum’s tthu su’aasuqwt, putum’utus tthus shuyulhs, “nii’ ch sht’eewun’ kws shni’s ni’ tthu ni’ ni ’u tthu tsitsulh, ’i xi’xlhe’mutal’hw?”
The younger asked his older brother, “Do you think there are people up there, are watching us?” - “nilh p’e’ ’i yath ’uw’ xetsteen’,” thut tthu sun’tl’e’.
“That’s just what I have been wondering,” said the elder one. - “’i tsu[n] kwu’elh neet tthey’ yuse’lu tskwimulus ’i’ p’q’alus.
“I have named those two Red Eye and White Eye. - ’i’ stsekwul’ yuhw ’a’lu ’i’ nem tst tus nem’ kw’i’ numnus.”
And I think they belong to two girls that will climb up to.” - “ni’ tsun ’uw’ shtatul’stuhw,” thut tthu sa’suqwt, “nuwu hay ’ul’ ’uw’ kw’am’kwum’ kwun’s xwchenum ’u tthuw’ mukw’ ’un’ sul’uthut, ’i’ skw’ey thulh kwun’s nem’ tstl’um, tus ’u tthey’.”
“I know,” said the younger brother, “That you are the best runner of all, but not even you could jump up there.” - lemutus tthu sqe’uqs tthuw’nilh sun’tl’e’, suw’ thut-s, “nilh kwu’elh lhwet kw’u hay ’ul’ stsuw’et kws kwulushs ’u tthu tuxwa’ts.
The older brother looked at his younger brother and said, “Who can shoot the bow the better? - ’i’ nilh lhwet kw’u hay ’ul’ kw’am’kw’um’.”
Who is the strongest?” - “nuwu p’e’!” thut tthu su’aasuqwt.
“You can!” said the little brother. - “xwum ch ’i’ kwulusht tthu tth’um’een’ ’u kw’u hay ’ul’ tsakw ’i’ nilh ’uw’ sht’es kwsuw’ yu sthuthekw’s yu sthuthi’ kws nem’s hwu tsakw.”
“You can shoot the arrow very far and you can shoot it very straight.” - “wa’lu yuthusthameen’, qe’uq, ’u kwthu ’i xetsteen’.
“What if, little brother, I shall tell you what I have planned. - saay’stuhw tsun kw’ snuhwulh.
Have your canoe ready. - nilh tse’ ’uw’ niis wulh ’uye’q thu lhqel’ts’ kws ’uw’ hwun’a.a.a’s ’ul’ xew’s, ’i’ nu stl’i’ tse’ kwun’s nemustam’sh ’u tthu ’unwulh ’u tthu kw’atl’kwu.
On the night when the new sliver of moon appears in the sky, I shall need you to paddle me to the centre of the sea. - ni’ tst tse’ ’u tthey’ ’unwulh kwunus nem’ kwulusht tthu tth’um’een’ tthu tuxwa’ts, ’i’ nuwu tse’ ’un’nehwstuhw tthu snuhwulh.
When we get to the centre I will shoot my bow and arrows, and you must hold the canoe steady. - ’i’ nilh tse’ nus nem’ ’uw’ kw’i’ nem’ ’u tthey’ nuts’a’ tumuhw.”
Then I shall climb until I reach that upper land.” - suw’ qwaqwul’ tthu su’aasuqwt, “nu stl’i’ kwunus nem’ yu huw’u ’utl’ nuwu.”
The younger brother was saying, “I want to go with you!” - suw’ thut-s tthu sun’tl’e’, “skw’ey kw’un’s m’i yu suw’e’, nuwu tse’ ’al’mutsth ’i ’u tun’a ’uw’ nem’ ’un’ huye’, ’i’ nilh tse’ kwunus m’i hwu’alum’.
But the older brother said, “That is impossible. I want you to wait for me here, and come when I need to return. - ’i’ ’i ch tse’ ’almutsth.”
And you will wait here.” - “i’ ni’ tse’ kwu’elh stsekwul’ kwunus shtatul’stuhw ’uw’ m’iihw tse’ wulh m’i hwu’alum’?”
“But how will I know when you are coming back?” - “nii ch mel’q kwunus hay ’ul’ hwthiqun.
“Did you forget that I have a powerful voice. - ni tsun tse’ nem’ ’u tthu shqwuqwe nus ’uw’ temuthamu, teem ’u kw’u hay ’ul’ hwthiqun ’i’ nilh tse’ suw’ wuwa’usth kwthu sqwumqwumey’.
I shall cup my hands around one of the holes, and I will call out so loud that all the dogs will bark. - ni’ tse’ hwuy tthu stl’ul’iqulh ’i’ xuxeem’ tse’.
That will wake up the children who will start crying. - ni’ tse’ hwuy tthu shhwhuw’weys tthu stl’ul’iqulh.
The mothers and fathers will get up. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ tse’ wulh hwuy kw’uw mukw’ lhwet ’i ’u tun’a tl’itl’up.
Finally, it will wake up everyone down below. - ’i’ nilh tse’ ni’ ’un’ shstatul’stuhw, kwunus wulh m’i t’akw’ ’i’ nilh tse’ ’un’s m’uw’ tl’uw’ tl’a’ustham’sh.”
Then you will know it is time to come for me.” - lhihw suxulhnet ’i’ tl’e’ wulh wil’ tthu qe’is lhqel’ts’.
Three weeks later and the sliver of moon rose again. - kwus wulh the’yul’sum’ tthu sun’tl’e’, ni’ they’tus tthu tth’um’een’, nilh ’u kwus snet ’i’ ni’ yaay’us, yaay’usmutus tthu tth’um’een’ they’tus, nilh tse’ ni’ hakwushus ’uw’ niis tse’ wulh tus ’u kwthu skweyul.
The older brother worked by day and far into the night until he had enough arrows to reach the sky. - kwus wulh hwu saay’ tthu hay ’ul’ qux….sus hwi’ ’aalhst-hwus ’u thu snuhwulhs nilh tse’ ni’ hakwushus, kwulushtus ’u tthu skweyul.
When all was ready, the older brother loaded the canoe with his bow and his bundles of arrows that he would use to shoot at the sky. - ’a-alhule’tsum ’u tthu hay ’ul’ qux tth’um’een’, sus ’uw’ huya’tul ’i’ tthu sqe’uqs nem’ nem’ ’u tthu ’unwulh ’u tthu kw’atl’kwu ’i ’utl’ tl’ulpalus.
They loaded on their bundles of arrows, the brothers went out here to the middle of Cowichan Bay. - tl’lim’ ’uw’ ’uwu te’ stem stsuhwum, ’uwu te’ ha’yul’uqs tthu kw’atl’kwu.
It was a very calm evening, and there were no waves on the water. - lhxilush tthu sun’tl’e’ kwus wulh tus ’u tthu ’unwulh ’u tthu kw’atl’kwu sus ’uw’ kwul’ushtus tthu tth’um’een’.
Then the older one stood up in the canoe and shot one arrow. - ’i’ yu tsukwul’atul’st-hwus ’u tthu ni’ huy’kwul’ushtus.
And then he shot all his arrows, one after another, - sus ’uw’ ni’ hwu st’e ’ukw’ xwi’lum’ kwus yu kwukwoon’stul’ tthu tth’um’een’.
And the arrows chained together and were like a rope. - ni’ yu huy’kwulushtus tthu tth’um’een’ sus ’uw’ yu kwukwoon’stul’, nem’ tus ’u tthey’ hay ’ul’ tsitsulh, ni’ tse’ shnem’s.
He shot all his arrows, one after another, until they formed a chain to the heavens for him to go up. - kwus wulh hay huy’kwul’ush ’i’ wulh nilh sis ’uw’ kw’i’ ’u tthey’ niilh huy’kwul’ushtus tthu tth’um’een’.
When the arrows were all shot, he started climbing up the chain of arrows. - ni’ nem’ yu kw’ukwi’ yu ts’ul’ts’ul’tsus kwus nem’ yu kw’ukw’i’ yu kwukwoon’s ’u tthey’ tth’um’een’s ’i’ nuw’ tus ’ul’ ’u kwthey’ hay ’ul’ tsitsulh sqwuqwe ni’ shtusth.
Then the brave young man climbed the arrows, lifting himself up hand over hand, arrow after arrow, until he arrived to that hole up above. - ni.i.i’ nem’ ’uw’ yu kw’ukw’i ’ul’ ’i’ nuw’ thu’it ’uw’ tus ’ul’ ’u kwthey’ ’uhwiin’ shqwuqwe sus nem’ ’uw’ tslhaqwthut nem’ nuw’ilum.
He climbed and climbed until he reached a small hole, and he managed to crawl through. - kwus wulh tus ’u kwthey’ nem’ wulh nuw’ilum ’u kwthu shqwuqwe, ’i’ wulh lumnuhwus tthu ni’ shtusth ’i’ ni’ tl’uw’ st’e ’ul’ ’u tun’a s’aalh tumuhw.
And when he got into that hole, he found himself in a world that seemed just like our own. - tthu mustimuhw ni’ lumnuhwus kwus wulh tus ’i’ ni’ tl’e’ ’uw’ st’e ’ul’ ’utl’ lhnimulh ’i’ hay tthu thuthiqut-s ’i’ tthuw’ mukw’ ni’ tuw’ ne’luts’.
The people he saw looked much like us but all the trees were a little different. - sus nem’ ’uw’ ’imush tthuw’nilh swiw’lus, ne.e.em’ yu ’i’mush wulh tetul’ ’u thu she’shlh.
That young man walked on, following along a trail. - ’i’ wulh lumnuhwus thu s’eluhw ’a’mut, sus ’uw’ numnusus.
And then he saw an old woman sitting beside the path. - qwulst-hwus thut-st-hwus, “nuts’uwmuhw tsun ’i tetsul ’u tun’a.
He said to her, “I am a stranger here. - xwum ’u ch ’i’ ’i’wustham’sh kwthu ni’ shni’ ’utl’ tskwimulus ’i’ p’q’alus?
Can you show me the way to where Red Eye and White Eye are?” - suw’ thut-s thuw’nilh s’eluhw, “tthu nuwu swiw’lus ’uy’ kwun’s nem’ hwu’alum ’u kwthu ’i ’un’ shtun’ni’.
And the old woman said, “Young man, you’d better go back to where you came from. - kwthu ni’ thut-st-hwuhw ’i’ nilh tl’lim’ ’uw’ ’ulh hay ’ul’ xisul’.
What you are aiming to do is much too dangerous. - nem’ hwu’alum ’u kwthun’ shtun’ni’ kwun’s hwuw’e me’kwulhuhw.”
Go back to where you came from before you are hurt.” - “a.a si’em’ tsi’tsut, ts’ewutham’sh ch p’e’.
“Oh, wise mother, you must help me. - yuthustham’sh ch ’u kwthu ni’ thut-st-hwuhw xisul’, nilh tse’ nus ’uw’ st’eekw’ ’uw’ yu ma’mutl’ut.”
Tell me about the dangers ahead, so that I may escape from them.” - hwkway’thusum’ thuw’nilh s’eluhw, hith kwus hwkway’thusum’.
The woman shook her head from side to side for a long time. - suw’ thut-st-hwus tthu swiw’lus, “xisul’ p’e’ wuw’a’ xwum ch ’i’ q’ay.
Then she said, “It’s too dangerous and you could be risking your life. - wa’lu ha’ niihw tse’ nuw’ tha’ithut, ’i’ nilh tse’ nus ’uw’ ’amusthamu ’ukw’ lhihw ’un’ hulitun.”
But if you must go on, I shall give you three things to take with you to keep you safe.” - suw’ hwshuyqutth’e’um thuw’nilh s’eluhw m’i quy’e’tus tthu shtth’utth’a’ sqw’ulesh.
She reached into a pouch beside her and handed the young man a small bird skin. - ’uw’ nulhtulh tthu ni’ quy’e’tus ’u tthu kw’uluw’ tthu thqet.
It was the same colour as the bark on the trees growing nearby. - tsulel ’i’ ’uw’ nilh ’u tthu sparrow tthu ni’ quye’tus ’i’ nilh thulh kwus tl’utl’iits’ tthu muqsuns.
It looked much like a sparrow from home, except it had a long and very sharp beak. - tthu qul’et ni’ quy’e’tus ’i’ hwi’ sqi’mukw’ ’i’ kwthu hay ’ul’ m’i yulhi’a’uqwt m’i quy’e’tus ’i’ q’uye’mun.
Next she gave him a baby octopus, and last she gave him a shell. - kwus wulh ’amustum ’u tthey’ q’uye’mun, suw’ hwyuxwutus ’i’ ni’ lumnuhwus kwus sun’iw’ tthu spkw’um.
When she gave him the shell, he opened it and saw that it contained a fine, white powder. - “hay ch q’a ’u tthu ni’ ’un’ sle’thuhw si’em’ tsi’tsut.
“Thank you for your kindness, wise mother. - ’a.a si’em, xwum ’u ch kwu’elh ’i’ hw’uw’tsustham’sh ’uw’ tsust-hween’ tun’a ’in’ s’amustham’shuhw.
Oh, respected one, could you tell me how to use these things you have given me? - stem tse’ kw’u ni’ shhwhulitun’s tun’a.”
What dangers do they protect me from?” - suw’ qwals thuw’nilh s’eluhw, “nuts’uwmuhw ch p’e’ ’i tetsul ’u tun’a.
The old woman said, “You are a stranger here. - ’uwu te’ ’un’ shtatul’stuhw lhu qul slheni’ ni’ tse’ hwtqasthamu.
You do not know about the evil women who would trap you. - nilh ya.a.ath ’uw’ q’ept tthu swaw’lus, ’i’ ha’ ni’ kwunnuhwus ’i’ ’uwu kws tl’e’s tum’tem ’i’ lumnum.
She collects young men, and they are never seen again. - ha’ kwunnaam ’u lhey’ ’i’ nilh ’un’s ’uw’ kwunut kwthu tun’ni’ ’u kwthu q’uye’mun ’un’s ’i’nilh ’un’s ’uw’ sat’ut, ’i’ nilh tse’ ’un’s ’uw’ hwu ’uhwiin’ ’i’ nuw’ilum ch ’u kwthu sqw’ulesh, nilh tse’ ’un’s nuw’ hwu ’uhwiin’ st’e ’ukw’ sqw’iqw’lush ’un’s ’uw’ lhakw’ nilh tse’ ’un’sh huye’namut.
If she should catch you, taste a pinch of what’s in the shell and you will become small enough to fit into the bird skin and fly away. - ’i’ ha’ ’un’ stl’i’ kwun’s hwu’alum’ kwun’s m’i hwu mustimuhw ’i’ tl’e’ ch wulh tth’lhekw’t kw’ ’uhwiin’ ’i’ nilh tse’ ’un’s ’uw’…’uhwiin’ sat’utuhw ’i’ nilh tse’ ’un’s ’uw’ hwu’alum’ hwu mustimuhw.”
Another pinch, and you will become yourself again.” - suw’ ’a’mut thuw’nilh s’eluhw slheni’ xatsthut ’u kw’u ni’ sxatsthut-s.
The old woman sat quietly, thinking deeply. - “nan ’uw’ qux xisul’ ni’ tse’ ’un’ yu shtutus.
“There is much danger you should be warned about. - tthey’ spukw’ ni’ sun’iw’ ’u tthey’ q’uye’mun ’i’ nan ’uw’ tl’i’.
The powder in the shell is very precious. - tl’lim’ ch ’uw’ le’lum’ut tl’lim’ ch ’uw’ hwiil’asmut.
Use it wisely and guard it well. - ha’ ch kwunut ’uw’ niihw kwunut ’uw’ niihw pasut kw’ lhwet ’i’ nilh tse’ suw’ w’utl’uluqws ’ukw’ ’u hay ’ul’ hwthiqun st’e sukw’s-hwuhwa’us, ’i’ nilh tse’ suw’ tth’uw’s.
If you throw it at someone, it will make a noise like thunder, and they will disappear. - la’lum’uthut ch ’uwu ch kwen’hwuhw.”
Be careful not to drop it.” - ’i’ hay kwu’elh ni’ stsekwul’ tthu sqi’mukw’?”
“And what is the octopus for?” - “a.a, thut-stum ni’ p’e’ ’un’ stl’i’ kwun’s kwunnuhw lhu tskwimulus ’i’ p’q’alus, ’i’ ya.a.ath nuw’ hiiw’a’lum’ ni’ ’u kwthu xatsa’ nilh yath ’uw’ shni’s kws hiiw’a’lum’s
“Ah…” she said. “You want to find Red Eye and White Eye and they always play in the lake during the day. - ’i’ nilh sis ’uw’ ’i’tut kwthu mens ’eelhtun, ’i’ nilh sis hwi’ hunum’ ’u tthu shqwuqwe xi’xlhe’mutus tthu nuts’a’ tumuhw ni’ ’u tl’itl’up, xi’xlhe’mutus kwthu swaw’lus ni’ hwu ’uy’st-hwus.”
And when their father is sleeping at night, they look down through their holes in the land below, watching the young men they have taken a fancy to.” - suw’ sht’eewun’ tthuw’nilh swiw’lus, “ni’ tsun ’uw’ tl’ulim’–– ‘uw’ thu’it q’e’lumi’ kwthu yath ’uw’ xi’xlhe’mutal’hw.
The young man thought, “Yes, I was right – it’s true that those girls are always watching us. - nilh kwthu sqi’mukw’ ni’ thut-stam’shus lhu s’eluhw ’uw’ nilhus nu shnuw’ilum.
The little octopus that the old lady told me about is what I’ll go into. - ’i’ nem’ tsun t-suthut ’u tthu qe’lumi’ xlhem’ ’u tthu ni’ sul’uthut-s tthu ni’ sht’es ’eelhtun.
And I’ll be able to approach those girls and that is how I will get to watch what they are doing.” - thut thu s’eluhw, “ts’iithamu tsun, yu sthuthi’ ch kwu’elh, yu stitum’s tthun’ shqwaluwun
The old woman said, “I wish you well and that you’ll be valiant. - ’i’ nilhs ch tthu she’shlh xwte’ ’u tthun’ si’a’lum’iw’s nilhs ch ’un’sh xwte’.
Take the path to your left and you will see how to go. - ’i’ he’kw’ ch kwunus ’i huy’atha’mu la’lum’uthut ch ’u kwthu mens.
And remember, I have warned you, beware of their father. - ’i’ tl’uw’ st’e lhu tskwimulus, hwilasmuthut ch, nilh nus yaathamu.”
And above all, pay heed to Red Eye, that’s my warning to you.” - suw’ hwtulqun tthuw’nilh swiw’lus, “hay ch q’a ’u tthu ni’ ’un’ s’ehwe’th.”
The young man replied, “Thank you again for what you have given me.” - ’i’ nilh sus ’uw’ huye’ sus nem’ ’uw’ xwte’ ’u tthu ni’ stsusute’wut ’uw’ nilhus shxwte’s.
And he headed off down the path she had directed him to. - kwus wulh yu ’i’mush ’i’ qu.u.ux ni’ yu le’lum’nuhwus, tsakw nets’ ’u tthu swe’s lelum’s.
As he walked, he saw many things that were strange to him. - ni’ hwi’ xwchenum thu wuxus ’uwu niis yu tsetl’um’, st’e ’u kwthu swe’s lelum’s.
A frog ran across his path instead of hopping as frogs did in his world. - suw’ sht’eewun’s skw’ey p’e’ kwunus yu ’unuhw xuxtsit tun’a, nan tsun ’uw’ yu lhi’lhukw.
But he didn’t have time to think about these things, because when he looked ahead he saw a woman - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ wulh lumnuhwus thu s’eluhw, ’a’mut suw’ thut-s thu s’eluhw, “’uy’ nu shqwaluwun kwunus ’i lumnamu.
staring at him, saying, “I am so glad to see you, young man. - ni’ tsun qtl’umuws ’u lhunu shelumtsus xwum ’u ch ’i’ ts’ewuth ’i’ saw’q’t,” thut thu s’eluhw.
I have dropped my magic ring and cannot find it. Would you help me look for it?” - suw’ hwtulqun’s, “yusutham’sh ’uw’ niis ’untsu kwun’s ni’ sht’eewun’ kwun’s ni’ qtl’umuws, ’i’ suw’q’ tsun tse’, ’i’wus ’u kw’u ni’ shni’s qtl’umuws.
The young man thought about how the old lady had helped him and so he was happy to do her a favour. He said, “Tell me what it looks like and where you think you lost it, and I shall do what I can to help you.” - m’i ch tseelqum ’utl’ ’een’thu ’i’ nem’ tsun tse’ lumstamu ’u kwthu ni’ shni’s.”
“Follow me, and I shall take you there. - “’uy’uy’mut lhu st’i’am’ ’u lhu shelumtsus, xwum ts’twa’ ’i’ ’uw’ lumnuhw ’uw’ niis ’untsu, ni wulh qul thunu qulum’, skw’ey kwunus lumnuhw.
It is a bright ring with a stone which should be easy to see on the ground. - ’i’ hay ch tthu nuwu hay ch stl’itlqulh.
My sight is dim, but with your eyes I feel sure you will find it.” - xwum ch ts’twa’ ’i’ ’uw’ lumnuhw ’uw’ niis ’untsu.”
[English line?] - ’i’ yu qwiil’qwul’ lhuw’nilh sus nem ’uw’ shits’uthut xwte’ ’u tthu hwthuthiqut, ’i’ tsakw nets’ tthu ni’ sht’es tthu thuthiqut ni’ ’u tthey’ ni’ tthu ni’ shkwitth’tsalus tthu sts’alha’s.
As she spoke, she led him into a forest. The trees were unlike any he had ever seen. Some were tall with blue leaves; - ni’ tthu thuthiqut ni’ q’uytsus ’i’ st’e ’uw’ niis shxwu’ixw ni’ ’u tthu ’unwulh.
others appeared to be dead, split open down the middle. - ’i’ nilh ni’ shnemustewut ’u they’ slheni’, tthu nuts’a’ thqet.
It was to one of these that the woman led him. - “sht’eewun’ tsun nilh tu’i thqet nilh ’i’ sh hw’i kwus qtl’um lhunu shelumtsus, kwunus ’i yu’i’mush yu sel’q’t tthunu t’eluw’.”
“I think my ring fell off my finger as I walked past, swinging my hand.” - wulh suwq’ tthuw’nilh swiw’lus stutes ’u tthey’ thqet.
The young man stepped forward to look. - ’i ’uw’ hwun’ sew’q’ ’i ’iihw ts’u wulh lume’tum sus ’uw’ yu shhwi’a’luqw kwus nem’ hwu sun’iw’ ’u tthey’ thqet.
As he was scanning the ground, the woman gave him a kick, sending him headfirst into the heart of the tree. - kwus wulh nem’ hilum hwu sun’iw’ ’u kwthey’ thqet ’i’ hwthiqun kwus wukw’lhuq’ hwtuq tthey’ thqet.
When he fell into the tree, he heard a loud “clank” as the tree slammed shut. - sus hwi’ qw’uyulush yen’yun’um’ they’ slheni’ kwus wulh st’e ’uw’ niis kwunnum tthuw’nilh swiw’lus.
The woman danced around in glee that she had caught the young man. - “hay ’ul’ wulh qux swaaw’lus ni’ kwunnuhween’.
“I have caught many young men. - ni’ tsun wulh mel’q ’uw’ niis wulh kw’iinu.
How many I cannot remember. - ni’ kwu’elh tl’e’ wulh na’nuts’a’ tthu ni’ kwunnuhween’ ’iilh ts’twa’ yu sew’q’ ’ukw’ stl’i’tl’qulh slheni’, ’i’ nem’ yu huy’luw’sham’shus.”
Now there is one less of those who would pass me by for a younger woman.” - ni’ hwu stth’ey’kw’ tthuw’ nilh swiw’lus hwu slhelhuq’ ’i’ wulh hekw’ ’u kwthu ni’ s’amustewut ’u lhu na’nuts’a’ s’eluhw.
For a moment the young man just lay there in shock, until he remembered what he had been given by the old lady. - suw’ hwyuxwutus kwthu q’uye’mun suw’ tth’lhekw’tus ’uhwiiin’ spukw’, ni’ sat’utus.
He opened the clam shell and sniffed a little of the powder. - ni’ tl’e’ wulh hwu ’uhwiin’ tthuw’nilh swiw’lus sus ’uw’ tl’am kwus nuw’ilumnamut ’u kwthu sqw’ulesh’elu.
Soon he was small enough to fit into the bird skin. - suw’ lhakw’ tthuw’nilh swiw’lus kwus wulh hwu sqw’ulesh nem’ xwte’ ’u kwthu s’ulnutsth kwthu thqet yu kwun’etus tthey’ q’uye’mun ’i’ kwthu sqi’mukw’.
And the young man flew up the trunk of the tree clutching the shell and the octopus. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ wulh lumnuhwus tthu ’uhwiin’ ni’ stth’etth’ukw’ niilh shni’s kwthu thqet shts’ustutsus kwus ni’ lukwatum.
Finally, he saw a glimmer of light coming through the hole where once a limb had broken off. - sus ’uw’ lhukwlhukwtus tthuw’ nilh tthu s’ulnuts ni’ shni’s tthu shts’ustutsus.
And he kept pecking the trunk at the place where the branch was. - sus ’uw’ tl’am kwus hwu thi sus ’uw’ tslhaqwthut.
And eventually it was big enough to escape though. - sus ’uw’ yu st’e ’ul’ kwus sqw’ulesh kwus nem’ huye’ nem’ tus ’u kwthu xatsa’.
And so he flew on, still in his bird costume, until he came to a lake. - wulh nem’ tus ’u kwthu xatsa’ ’i’ wulh lumnuhwus tthu yey’sul’u q’e’lumi’ huli’wa’lum’ kw’ulhustul’.
There at that lake he saw the two girls playfully splashing each other. - hwts’e’nutsum tthuw’nilh ni’ ’u kwthu thqet shts’ushtutsus sus ’uw’ xi’xlhe’mutus tthey’ q’e’lumi’
The young man sat on the branch of a tree and watched the girls. - me’shus tthey’ sqw’ulesh ni’ ha’kwushus, sus hwi’ nilh kwthu sqi’mukw’ ni’ shnuw’ilums, nilh ni’ hakwushus.
Then he took off the bird suit he was wearing and slipped into the little octopus. - ni’ ’uw’ hwun’ st’e kws hwun’ ’uhwiin’s suw’ ’uwus niis hakwushus kwthu spukw’ ni’ s’amustewut
He was still small enough and so did not need the magic powder he had been given. - suw’ kwelshus kwthu sqw’ulesh s’itth’ums ’i’ kwthu q’uye’mun, kwelshus sus nem’ ’uw’ nuw’ilum ’u kwthu qa’ ni’ hwu sqi’mukw’
And he hid the bird costume and the shell, hiding them in the water while he was in the octopus. - sus nem’ ’uw’ (t’itsum) [shtem] nem’ ’u tthu ni’ shni’s kwthu q’e’lumi’ hwiine’mutus kwus qwuliil’qwul’tul’
He swam to where the girls were and he listened in to their conversation. - ’i’ nan ’uw’ ’uli’uy’mut kwthey’ q’e’lumi’, nan ’uw’ ’eli’ slhunlheni’
And they were very beautiful young ladies, really fine ladies. - thu na’nuts’a’ ‘i’ nilh tskwimulus nilh sun’tle’ ‘i’ nilh ni’ ‘iya’th ‘u thu sqe’uqs, ’i’ nan ’uw’ si’lew’ si’em’stunmut
The older one, who was Red Eye, was perhaps the prettier, though she sounded overly domineering. - qwal they’ sun’tl’e’ thutst-hwus thu sqe’uqs, “’unuhw lhu hay kwun’s ’i hiiw’a’lum’.
She said to her sister, “Stop this silly playing. - m’i ’ewu ’un’s muw’ yutl’q’ ’u tthu t’a’hw
Come rub me with some balsam. - ha’ ch tse’ uwu ’i’ nilh tse’ nus ’uw’ yuthust kwthu men tst.”
If you don’t, I will tell Father.” - sis ’uw’ nem’ thu sa’suqwt ’i’ ni’ yut’qw’tus thu shuyulhs, nuw’ yu ’a’un’lh ’ul’ kwus yu tsusutum’.
So the younger girl scrubbed her sister with branches just as she had been advised to do. - ni’ wulh yutl’q’tus thu shuyulhs they’ sa’suqwt ’i’ wulh kwuyxthut tthuw’nilh swiw’lus ni’ hwu sqi’mukw’ sus ’uw’ suy’t’us tthey’ sa’suqwt
But as she gently rubbed her sister’s back, the young man, now an octopus began tickling White Eye. - ’unuhw they’ sa’suqwt kwus yatl’q’tus thu shuyulhs, sus nem’ ’uw’ kwunutus thu sqi’mukw’ ni’ sey’t’t
She stopped what she was doing, reached down, and caught the little creature and lifted him out of the water. - “lemut lhu tu’i, nu shuyulh, tl’lim’ ’uy’uy’mut. nilh tse’ hwu nu sye’yu.
“Look at this, sister. How beautiful. Now I shall have a new pet. - nem’ tsun tse’ yukwun’et.”
I’m going to keep it.” - “’a-a nem’ ’ikw’ut tthey quliima’!” tssetum ’u thu shuyulhs tskwimulus.
“That ugly thing, throw it away!” her sister Red Eye told her. - “nan ’uw’ quliim’a! q’aayt!”
“It is disgusting! Kill it!” - “’uwun nu stl’i’ kwunus ’uw’ kwun’et hwu nu swe’ tse’.
“No, I want to keep it as my own. - ’uwu nu stl’i’us kwunus q’aayt.
I don’t want to kill it. - ’i ts’twa’ sal’sul’qw.”
Poor thing, it must be lonely.” - “’i tsun xut’usta’mu ’ikw’ut lhu.
“I told you to throw it away. - ha’ch tse’ ’uwu hwiineemuhw ’i’ yuthust tsun tse’ kwthu men tst.
If you don’t listen I shall tell Father.” - niw’ shtatul’stum ’utl’ p’q’alus kwthu ni’ sht’es kwthu mens kws hays tse ’ul’ ’uw’ t’eyuq’.
White Eye knew how angry her father would be. - suw’ kwunutus ’i’ lheq’utus tthey’ sqi’mukw’ sus ’uw’ yu xi’xlhem’utus kwus wulh nem’ shtem.
So she put the octopus back in the water and watched as it swam away. - ni’ nem’ ’uw’ tus ’ul’ ’u tthu shlhq’a’th kwus nem’ shtem yu hunum’nusus kwthu ni’ shni’s kwthu q’uye’mun ’i’ kwthu spukw’.
He reached the shore still and made his way to where he had hidden the shell and the magic powder. - nem’ tus ’u kwthu q’uye’mun sus ’uw kwunutus kwthu … sat’tus kwthu ’uhwiin’ ’u kwthu spukw’ sis ’uw’ hwu’alum’ hwu mustimuhw hwu swiw’lus.
He opened the shell, sniffed a little of the powder and returned to human form, becoming a young man again. - kwunutus kwthu syuxtsa’s sus ’uw’ ’akw’ustus ’u tthu kwuyhwlhnems
He placed his magic charms in the pouch and tied it around his neck. - yelh sus ni’ nem ’u tthu ni’ shni’s tthu qw’uqw’i’tul q’e’lumi’.
Then he made his way around to where the sisters were. - tus ’i wulh lumnuhwus kwus s-hwul’hwul’akw’ ’u tthu napus.
He saw that they were now wrapped up in a cape. - nilh hwuw’e lumnuhwus, hwuw’e tum’temus ’i’ lumnuhwus.
He had never seen anything like it before. - ’i ’uwu stl’i’ sus kws si’si’me’tewut, sis ’uw’ ’ulmutsun ’ul’ kwsuw’ lumnewut ’ul’.
He didn’t want to frighten them, so he waited until they saw him. - kwus wulh lumnum sis ’uw’ qwal, yuthustum tthuw’ne’ullh q’e’lumi’, “nuts’uwmuhw tsun.
Only then did he speak, saying, “I am a stranger. - ’uwu tsun tun’ni’un’ ’u tun’a ’un’ swe’ ’un’ tumuhw.
I don’t come from your world. - tl’uw’ nets’ tumuhw kwthunu shtun’ni’.”
I have come from another world.” - ’i’ nilh thu tskwimulus nilh ni’ yuw’en’ kwus qwal.
Red Eye was the first to respond. - kwus wulh qwal thu tskwimulus ’i’ thut, “’uy’ shqwaluwun tst kwun’s ’i tetsul.”
Red Eye spoke up and said, “You are welcome here. - m’i yu suw’e’ ’utl’ lhnimulh, ’i’ nilh tse’ ’un’s ’uw’ lumnuhw kwthu men tst.
Come with us and I shall introduce you to my father. - ’uy’ tse’ shqwaluwun kws lumnamut.”
He will be glad to see you.” - sus nem’ ’uw’ tsaalqumtul nem’ ’u tthu shni’s tthu lelum’s tthu mens.
The three of them climbed the path to their father’s house. - nem’ tus ’u tthu lelum’s tthu.. tthey’ tsi’tsut.
They arrived at their parent’s home. - suw’ qwals tthuw’nilh thi swuyqe’, mens tthu q’e’lumi’, suw’ thut-stewut tthu swiw’lus, “’i ch m’i ewu kwun’s qwal ’u tthu tselushs thunu mun’u thu sun’tl’e’ nu mun’u.
And this big man, the girls’ father, said to the young man, “You are here to ask for the hand of my elder daughter. - ’i’ ha’ ch kwu’elh thut kwun’s kwunut thu sun’tl’e’ nu mun’u ’i’ hwtulqun tsun.”
And if you take the my eldest daughter, I agree.” - suw qwal tthuw’ nilh swiw’lus thut-st-hwus tthu swuyqe’, “’uwu, ’uwu, ’uwu nilhus thu sun’tl’e’ nu stl’i’
The young man said to the man, “No, no. I don’t want the eldest. - nilh thu sa’suqwt, nu stl’i’ kwunus muliytul ’u thu sa’suqwt ’un’ mun’u.”
It’s the younger sister, it’s your younger daughter that I wish to marry.” - wulh qwal ’u kw’u hay ’ul’ hwthiqun, suw’ thut tthuw’nilh tsi’tsut, “’uwu stsekwul’us! ’uwu stse’kwul’us!
The father gave a roar and said, “No way! No way! - hay ’uw’ nilhus yuw’en’ thu sun’tl’e’ kws tsta’luss ’i’ yelhs tsta’luss thu sa’suqwt.
The eldest has to get married first before the younger one can get married. - skw’ey kwunus hwtulqun.”
I can’t agree to that.” - hwya’numus thuw’nilh tskwimulus.
Red Eye smiled her agreement. - suw’ xut’us “nan ’uw’ qux shtatul’st-hween’.
as she added, “My father is right. I have a special way that will be the end of all your seeking – do come and let me prove it to you.” - xwum tsun ’i ’uw’ lumstamu ’u kwthu sht’es kwunus qux shtatul’st-hween’.
I can show you - nilh kws stl’i’s nilhs tsta’lus.
[English line] - tth’uy’kw’thut tthuw’ nilh swiw’lus kwus tselhum’utus they’ tskwimulus slheni’.
The young man felt a shiver of fear run through him. - timutus tthu sqwaluwuns tthuw’nilh swiw’lus.
But he was a brave man, and determined, - suw’ hwtulqutus thu tskwimulus.
so he answered, “It is this girl and none other I would have.” - “nilh thu sa’suqwt nilh nu stl’i’, ’uwu stsekwul’us kwunus ’uye’qt tthunu shqwaluwun.
“It is this girl and none other I would have.” - ’uw’ nilh shhw’e’wu.”
[English line] - hwuwe’te’ lhwet kwu xetl’ut tthu…thuw’nilh tskwimulus ’i’ tthu mens.
No one had ever stood up to Red Eye or to her father before, so they were so mad they could not even move. - mukw’ sqwals ’i ’uw’ st’e, ’i’ ni’ hwi’ xetl’utum ’u tthey’ swiw’lus.
[English line] - tstl’um tthuw’nilh swiw’lus sus ’uw’ kwunutus thu p’q’alus sus ’uw’ huye’st-hwus, nem’ t’ukw’st-hwus.
The young man grabbed White Eye and ran off with her to bring her home with him. - yu tsukwul’ulqum…tseelqum thuw’ nilh tshwimulus, yu tsukwul’etus tthu ni’…thu sqe’uqs ni’ huya’stum.
Red Eye quickly followed chasing after her sister who had been taken away. - kwus wulh hwu s’e’tl’q tthuw’ nilh swiw’lus ’i’ thu p’q’alus suw’ quy’e’tus kwthu q’uye’mun ’i’ ni’ wenshus kwthu spukw’ nemust’hwus ’u tthu shelhs thu lelum’.
Once outside the door, the young man drew out the shell, and threw some magic powder at the entrance of the house. - sus ’uw’ wultl’ul’uqw tthey’ lelum’ suw’ taantus ’eelhtun
It blew apart the house, and they got away. - hay ’ul’ hwthiqun kwus wulh wutl’ul’uqw tthey’ lelum’ suw’ kweyuxum tthu tumuhw.
The boom was so loud that the earth shook. - hay ’ul’ ’uw’ tsq’ix stl’eyuq’um kwus wulh wutl’uluqw tthu niilh shni’s thu tskwimulus.
A cloud of black smoke rose from the blast at Red Star’s. - tun’ni’ kwu’elh ’u kwthey’ ’i’ ni’ tuw’ hwu tskwalus tthu ni’ ’u tthu tsitsulh kwasun.
Since that time it has shone with a dull glow. - ’i’ ni’ ’al’mutsun kwthey’ na’nuts’a’ sqe’uqs kwthu swiw’lus, ’i’ nuw’ ts’elhum’utus kwthu ni’ wutl’uluqw.
The man’s younger brother was waiting and he heard the loud boom. - sus ’uw’ ts’elhum’utus kwthu shuyulhs kwsus tuteem’, “m’i ’ewu!”
And then he heard his brother’s calling, “Come!” - ’i’ ’uw’ thu’it ni’ yu st’e ’u kwthu ni’ sqwals kwthu sun’tl’e’ kwus tse’ wuwa’us tthu mukw’ sqwumqwumey’ ’i’ tl’uw’ hwuy tthu stl’ul’iqulh xuxeem’.
And just like the older brother had said, all the dogs started barking and the children woke up crying. - mukw’ tthu mustimuhw nuw’ hwuy.
All the people woke up. - t-hw’uwu te’ lhwet ‘i’tut, we’ tthu sqw’ulesh ’i’ ni’ tl’uw’ hwuy.
There was nobody sleeping, even the birds woke up. - suw’ tstl’um tthey’ sa’suqwt sqe’uqs, ’aalh ’u tthu snuhwulh sus nem’ ’uw’ nem’ ’u tthey’ ni’ shni’s kwthu tth’um’een kwus hwu xwi’lum’ nem’ ’u tthu sh-hw’ethutun.
The younger brother heard the agreed signal.
And the younger brother jumped on his canoe and paddled to where the arrows had made a rope to the clouds. - ’i’ ’uw’ thu’it ’uw’ ’ulh yu tl’upul tthu sun’tl’e’, yu lhun’e ’u tthey’ tth’um’een’ kwus m’i yu tl’upul
And he could see that the eldest brother was descending, traveling down the arrows. - kwus wulh m’i tuw’ ts’imul ’i wulh tul’nuhwus kwus yu kwun’etus thu…’i’ tsq’a’ tthu sun’tl’e’, yu kwun’atul’ ’u tthu ni’ sq’a’s.
As he drew closer, the younger could see that his brother was bringing someone with him. - yu kwun’els’ ’i’ nilh tthu xwamlhnulh ni’ yu shkwun’elsth tthu sq’a’s.
She was holding on, clinging to his neck. - nilh kwu’elh shni’s ’i’ ni’ hun’umutnamut tthey’ sun’tl’e’ kwun’atul’ ’u thu p’q’eelhiye’ m’i tetsul ’utl’ tl’ulpalus.
And so the young brave and White Eye came safely home to earth at Cowichan Bay. - kwus lemutus tthu tsitsulh ’i’ wulh ni’ hwu ’uwu te’ ’utl’ tskwimulus ’i’ p’q’i’eelh ni’ hwu ’uwu te’.
When the brothers looked into the heavens again, they saw that Red Eye and White Eye no longer twinkled. - thu tskwimeelh kwasun nuw’ tuw’ hwu q’iq’uxul’ ’ul’ ’i’ hay thu p’uq’iye’ hay tl’lim’ nuw’ hwu ’uy’uy’mut kwasun ni’ ’u tthu tsitsulh.
Red Eye now had a dull red glow, but White Eye was a clear evening star. - nilh ’iilh hay ’ul ’uw’ hwun’a tuw’ wil’ kwasun ni’ ’u tthu tsitsulh.
They were the first stars to cease to flicker. - tun’ni’ ’u kwthey ’i’ yath ’uw’ tuw’ hwu swi’wul’ kwthey’ yuse’lu kwasun.
Ever since then, they have shone with a steady light. - nilh ni’ shni’s ’i’ ni’ hay.
This is the end of the story.