2. Blue-Garter

2. Wozhaawaaskokaskitaasepason.

Blue-Garter.

from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1919).

(1) Ningoting kiiwenh aiyaawag niizh apinoochiinyag; pezhik kwiiwisens, pezhik kwesens aiyaawag.

Once upon a time, so the story goes, there lived two children; a boy (and) a girl there lived.

(2) Mii dash eshkam ani-minditoowaat.

And larger they grew as time went on.

(3) Mii dash kiiwenh kwiiwisens nantawenchiget, nisaat wa(a)boozoon; kegaa wiin dash ikwesens, manise chiibaakwe kaye endaawaat.

And then, according to the story, the boy began to hunt for game (and) killed rabbits; and as for the girl, she gathered firewood and did the cooking at where they lived.

(4) Mii dash kiwe[nh] eshkam ani-minditoowaat; aw dash kiiwenh kwiwisens eshkam ani-kichi-oshkinawewi, kichi-awesiinyan kaye onisaan.

And then, as the story goes, they continued getting larger; and then they say that the boy grew to be somewhat of a young man, and then big game he killed.

(5) Eshkam aapichi mino-aiyaawag kiiwenh.

In a very much more comfortable way then they lived, so it is said.

(6) Niingoding idash kiiwenh, aiyayaawaad, odinaan omisenyan: "Nimisenh! mi sa shayiigwa chi-pakediyank."

And so once, according to the story, while they were yet living at the place, said (the youth) to his elder sister: "O my elder sister! the time is soon at hand when we shall part from each other."

(7) "Aaniin nangwana, nishiim," odigoon.

"Very well, so let it come, my little brother," he was told.

(8a) "Aiyaangwaamisi(i)n sa kaye kiin wii-pi(i)maadisoyan!

"And do be very careful of yourself if you wish to live!

(8b) Pooch, inange moozhag kiiga-wiijiindimin."

However, it is impossible that we should always live together."

(9a) Mii dash kiiwenh aw os[h]kinawenh kaa-izhi-maajaat, miinawaa odigoon omisenyan:

Thereupon, so it is said, as the youth started to go, once more was he told by his elder sister:

(9b) "Nishi(i)m, mikwenimishi(i)n ningoting kiishpin kegoo aapichi sanagisiyan."

"My little brother, think of me if ever at any time you are in deep trouble over something."

(10) "Eye'," odinaan, "nimisenh."

"I will, my elder sister," he said to her.

(11) Mii dash maajaat aw oshkinawe.

And then went the youth away.

(12) Ningoting idash ani-papimoset aapichi aiyekosi.

And once, as he was walking along, very weary he became,

(13) Mii dash enendank, "Mii omaanh chi-nibaayaan."

whereupon he thought, "Now in this place will I sleep."

(14) Mii dash keget imaa gii-ani-pagidi(i)nank opimiwanaanens.

And so truly there laid he down his little pack.

(15) Pangii dash niigaan anii-izhaa, nandawa(a)bandank aanindi wa(a)baninig ked-ani-izhi-maajaat.

Now a little farther on he went, taking a look whither on the morrow he would go.

(16) Wayiiba dash neyaap azhekiiwe kii-atoot obimiwanaan.

And in a little while back he came to where he had put his pack.

(17) Eni-tagwishing idash oowa(a)bandaan aazha apishimoonikaatenik, kaye aasha kii-oshichikaatenik chi(i)-wiisinit chi(i)-mibaat kaye. […chi-nibaat kaye]

And when he was come, he saw that a bed had already been made, and that there was also prepared some food for him to eat, and a place for him to sleep.

(18) Aw widash [o]shkinawe mamakadentam.

Thereupon the youth wondered.

(19) "Mii sa kanabach nimisenh kaa-ishichiget," inendam.

"Now, perhaps my elder sister did it," he thought.

(20) Mii dash ezhi-maajii-wiisinit nibaat gaye.

Thereupon he began to eat, and then he went to sleep.

(21) Wayaabaninig idash miinawaa maajaa.

And on the following day he started on.

(22) Miinawaa wenaagoshininig mii go miinawaa naasaab ezhiwepisit.

When again it came evening, once more the same thing happened to him.

(23) Wenaagoshininig kii-nibaa miinawaa, mii dash miinawaa maajaa wayaabaninig.

In the evening he went to sleep again, and then he went on when the morrow came again.

(24) Ningoting idash kiiwenh ani-papimoset, omikaan aapichi onishishininik; minonaagwatinig; aapichi dash kiisisoon sakaasigenit.

Now once, so it is said, as he went walking along, he found a place that was very pleasing; it offered a beautiful view; and very bright did the sun shine there.

(25) Kii-wawenapi, inendang: "Waagotogwen kaa-onji-naganaawagen nimisenh?"

He sat down (and) began thinking: "Why did I ever leave my elder sister?"

(26) Kas[h]kendank; bekish megwaa dash kiinwenh naanagatawendank, paanimaa go odoonchi-kikenimaan awiya naasikaagot pikwanaang inakakeyaa.

He was sad; at the same time, they say, while he was in deep thought, suddenly he felt that somebody was coming towards him from behind.

(27a) Mii dash pi-kanoonikot:

And he was addressed by the one who came saying:

(27b) "Wegonen maa weshitooyan?

"What are you doing there?

(27c) Wegonen wenji-kichi-naanagatawentaman, kaye kas[h]kendaman?" odigoon iiniw; ikwewan nangwana iiniw.

For what are you in such deep thought, and why are you sad?" (thus) was he told by that one; a woman did that one turn out to be.

(28) Aapichi dash minwendam aw [o]shki(i)nawe wa(a)bamaat awiya ke-kakanoonaat.

And very pleased was the youth when he saw some one with whom to talk.

(29) Mii desh kiiwenh ezhi-kaakiikitoowaat, piinish chi-ozhitoowaat sisaagi’itiwaat.

And thereupon, so it is said, they began to converse, keeping it up till they felt mutual love for each other.

(30) Mii desh keget saagi’itiwaat.

And really did they love each other.

(31) Mii desh aw ikwe ekidot: "Pesho iima nindaamin; kanabach kegaa negoti tepaa’igan apii nindaamin," ikito aw ikwe.

And then the woman said: "Close by yonder place is our home; perhaps almost a measure is the distance where we live," said the woman.

(32) Mii desh kiiwenh kaye wiin oshkinawe ezhi-kagwechimaat chi-wiidigemaat.

And they say that the youth also progressed so far as to ask her to be his wife.

(33) Mii desh kiiwenh aw ekwe ezhi-nakwomaat.

And they say that the woman gave him her consent.

(34) "Eye'," odinaan, "mii go iw kaa-izhi-nantotoonaan chi-izhi-kagwetchimiyan."

"Yes," she said to him, "that is precisely what I expected you would ask me."

(35) Mii desh kiinwenh ezhi-wiindamawaat onchi oosan ogiin kaye.

And then they say that she told him about her father and her mother.

(36a) Odinaan: "Aapichi kiiga-minotootaagoog was[h]ki-wa(a)pamikwaa;

She said to him: "Very nicely will they treat you when first they behold you;

(36b) aapichi kaye intawaa wiingwesiwag kegoo chi-wiitootookwaa.

and very apt are they, I would tell you, should they wish to do you some ill.

(36c) Aiyaangwaamisin dash, kanawenindison!" odigoon.

So then be careful, (and) be on your guard!" (thus) was he told by her.

(37a) Mii dash kiiwe[nh] iiniw ikwewan odigoon:

And so by the woman was he told:

(37b) "Kego segisikan!

"Don't be afraid!

(37c) Pane kiigo-kanawenimi(i)n. […pane giga-kanawenimin…]

Always will I look out for you.

(37d) Aanawi apichi machi-inaatisiwag, pooch dash nin awashime niibiwa nindayaan kas[h]ki'ewisiwin chi-wi(i)tookoonaan."

In spite of the very baneful disposition they have, yet, for all that, much stronger is the power I have to help you."

(38a) Mii dash, kiinwenh, miinawaa enaat:

And they say that again she said to him:

(38b) "Aanish, mii sa niin ked-ani-[i]zhi-kiiweyaan; paanimaa dash kiin wenaagoshik pa-tagwishinookan.

"Well, it is now time for me to go back home; and not until it is evening must you come and arrive there.

(38c) Kiishpin dash pi-dagwishinan endaiyaang kiigat-igoog niingii'ikoog:

And when you are come at our home, you will be asked by my parents:

(38d) ‘Kigii-wa(a)bamaa maawin a'aw nindaani(i)sinaan Ozhaawas[h]kokas[h]kitaasepison?’

‘You have no doubt seen our daughter Blue-Garter?’

(38e) Mii dash ked-i(i)nat:

And then shall you say:

(38f) ‘Kaawin nin, kaawin nin, kaawin ningii-kikenimaasi, kaa wiikaa awiya ningii-wa(a)bamaasi.’

‘Not I, I do not know her, never have I seen her.’

(38g) Mii ged-inatwaa."

Thus shall you say to them."

(39) Mii dash keget ezhi-maajaat aw ikwe waa-ishi-maajaat; megwaa dash kaa-giigitot.

And then truly went the woman away to the place whither she was bound; and as she went, she was yet speaking.

(40) Mii go imaa kaa-onji-wani'aat.

And then at a place over there was where he lost sight of her.

(41) Komaapii dash kaye wiin kii-izhichige kaa-igot iiniw ikwewan.

And so after a while he did what he was told by the woman.

(42) Mii desh ezhi-ti(i)paachimint aw ikwe.

Now, this was what was told of the woman.

(43) Megwaa ayaat endaat mii kii-kikenimaat iiniw ininiwan mikweninigot.

While she was at home, she was aware that the man was thinking about her.

(44) Mii desh ki-maajaat aw ikwe kii-nandawa(a)bamaat.

And then off went the woman to look for him.

(45) Mii desh ki-mikawaat; pikwanaaning kii-onji-naasikawaat kii-wa(a)bamaat.

And she found him; from behind came she up to him (and) saw him.

(46) Mii nangwana kiiwenh aw ikwe endaawaat kii-ayaat moonzhag.

And now, as a matter of truth, so it is said, the woman was staying at home all the while.

(47) Kaawiin kii-onishizii.

She was not felt as being absent.

(48) Mii dash ezhi-maajaat aw inini kiiwenh izhaat imaa endaanigobanen anishinaabe.

And so away started the youth, they say that he went over to the place where dwelt the people.

(49) Pesho eni-ayaat nayaag igo onoondawaan ka-ganoonigot.

When near by he was come, already heard he the voice of one welcoming him.

(50a) Iiniw akiwenziiyan igot:

By an old man was he addressed, saying:

(50b) "Aaw anishinaabe kitootosigonaan.

"Well, a person is coming to us.

(50c) Ningikenimaa paa-onji-izhaat.

I know for what object he is coming.

(50d) Kaawiin anizhaa pii-zhaasii, mii iniw kitaanisinaani(i)n Ozhaawas[h]kokas[h]kitaasepison."

Not for nothing does he come, it is for our daughter Blue-Garter."

(51) Aw idash kiiwenh inini awanjish kiiwenh go odaninaazikawaan pesho, paapooshowaati.

And then the man, so goes the story, in a manner unconcerned, went straight up to him, greeting him with salutation.

(52) Aapiji desh kiinwenh oomino-[o]taapinigoo; oowa(a)wiikii'igoo, kiinwenh, aapichi.

And very cordially, so goes the story, was he welcomed by them; kind were they to him, so it is said, in a very pleasant way.

(53) Mii sa shayiigwa nisitotaank kaa-igot iiniw ooshkiniigikwen.

And that was when he began to understand what was told him by the young woman.

(54) Aapichi weweni oomino-otaapinigoo.

Very pleasantly was he received by them.

(55) Mii dash kiinwenh egot akiwenziiyan: "Awiya kiin kiigi-wa(a)bamaa noongom kiishigak?"

And then, so it is said, was he asked by the old man: "Did you see anybody to-day?"

(56) Oshkinawe dash kiinwenh odinaan: "Kaawiin niin awiya ningii-wa(a)bamaasii."

And the youth, they say, said to him: "Not any one have I seen."

(57) Pekish inini kanawa(a)bamaat akiwenziiyan shoomiingwenit.

At the same time the youth watched the old man (and) smiled.

(58) Akiwenzii dash ikidoo, "A a aa, keget kigii-wa(a)bamaa nindaanis. Oshaawas[h]kokaas[h]kiitaasepison!"

And the old man said: "Oh, surely you saw my daughter Blue-Garter!"

(59) Odinaan dash inini. "Kaawiin ningii-wa(a)bamaasii awiya."

Then said the man to him: "I did not see anybody."

(60) Mii dash ezhi-piindigewaat.

Thereupon they went inside.

(61) "Ambe piindigen!" odigoon.

"Go right on in!" he was told.

(62) Mii dash keget inini ezhi-piindiget.

And then truly in the man went.

(63a) Paapige dash igo odigoon iiniw akiwenziiyan:

And at once was he told by the old man:

(63b) "Kaawin iitog anishaa kipi-ishaasi omaa.

"It is impossible that for nothing you have come here.

(63c) Mii [ii]dog a'aw nindaanis pa-nandawa(a)bamat."

I suspect it is my daughter whom you have come to seek."

(64) "Aaniin nangwana," ikito inini.

"It may be," said the man.

(65) Aanish naa aatisookaan!*

Well, let us on with the story!*

*This is a common phrase on the part of the narrator, where the story hasbeen interrupted with laughter or by some facetious remark apropos of what has just been said.

(66) Mii dash enaat akiwenzi: "Kiishpi(i)n kii-izhichigeyan ked-izhi-anooninaan kaye wewiib ozhitooyan, mii chi-ayaawat nindaanis Ashaawas[h]kokaas[h]kitaaseposon."

Thereupon the old man said to him: "If you will do what I ask of you and do it quickly, then you may have my daughter Blue-Garter."

(67) Mii dash kiiwenh shayiigwa wiindamaagot ked-inanokiit wa(a)bang.

And then the story goes on to relate what one told the other he should do on the morrow.

(68) "Kiiga-maajitaa chi(i)-biinitooyan midaaswi akiin," odigoon.

"You shall set to work clearing up ten plots of ground," he was told.

(69) "Eye'!" odinaan akiwenziiyan.

"All right!" he said to the old man.

(70) Mii dash wenaagoshik kii-wa(a)bamaat iiniw oshkiniigikwen.

And so in the evening he saw the maiden.

(71) Mii dash kiimooch kii-igot: "Kego wanenimishiken! Wewiip miikwenimishi(i)n."

Thereupon in secret she said: "Don't forget me! Be quick to keep me in mind."

(72) "Eya'."

"All right!"

(73) Mii dash wayaabaninig maajiinigot akiwenziiyan, ishi-wiinigot ke-dashi-anokiit.

And then in the morning was he led away by the old man, he was taken to the place where he was to work.

(74) Mii dash miinigot ked-apajitoot chi-manzhii'iget, — miitigoo-waagaakwat, miinawaa dash mitigoo-pinaakwaa'iganish, miinawaa desh pimichiwaagaakwat kaye.

And then he was given what he was to use to work with, — a wooden axe, and a useless wooden rake, and also a wooden hoe.

(75) Odigoon, kiinwenh: "Mii niin ayaabachitooyaani(i)n anokiiyaan."

He was told, so they say: "That is what I myself use whenever I work."

(76) "Aataa," inendam.

"Alas!" was his thought.

(77a) "Aaniin ket-izhi-kas[h]kitooyaan chi-kizhitooyaan ningo-naawakwe!

"How shall I be able to finish this in half a day!

(77b) Aapichi sanagat.

Very difficult it is.

(77c) Kechi-mitigook patakisoowag, sagaakwaani kaye."

Big trees are standing, and thick also is the bush."

(78) Pooch dash aw inini kaawiin ogii-naagwatoosiin sanagendank.

Yet nevertheless the man did not betray by look that he regarded it hard to do.

(79) Mii dash ani-kiiwet akiwenzii.

And then on his homeward way went the old man.

(80) Mii dash kiiwenh aw inini ka-izhi-wawenabit mawit.

Thereupon they say that the youth sat down and wept.

(81) Kaawiin omikwendaziin kaa-igot ikwewan.

He did not think of what had been told him by the woman.

(82) Wiin dash iko aw ikwe ogii-kikenimaan mikwenimigosik.

And as for the woman, she knew all the time that he was not thinking of her.

(83) Paapige dash pii-izhaa pi-nandanewaat oowa(a)bamaan dash imaa naamadabinit mawinit.

Of a sudden, when she came to look for him, she beheld him there sitting down and crying.

(84) Mii dash enaat: "Wegonen kaa-onji-mikwenimisiwan mewisha?"

And this she said to him: "Why did you not think of me long ago?"

(85) Kaawin dash kego ikitosii inini.

And the man said nothing.

(86) Mii dash ezhi-wawenabit aw ikwe, odinaan iiniw ininiwan: "Oondaas omaa!"

Thereupon down sat the woman, and said to the man: "Come here!"

(87) Mii dash ezhi-odaapikwenaat.

And then she drew his head towards her.

(88) Ojiingwanang idash odatawaan os[h]tigwaanini, inaat: "Kiga-nandookomaanin taga!"

On her lap she put his head, and said to him: "Let me look for your lice!"

(89) Mii dash keget.

And that was what she did.

(90) Mii dash, kiiwenh ezhi-nibaat aw inini.

Thereupon they say that the man fell asleep.

)91) Komaa apii dash odamatinigoon iiniw ikwewan.

After a while he was waked by the woman.

(92) "Haw, onishkaan! shigwa da-naawakwe!"

"Come, wake up! soon will it be noon."

(93) Mii dash keget aw inini kos[h]kosit.

And then truly the man rose up.

(94) Inaabit dash, owa(a)bandaan odanokiiwiwin gakina kii-kiizhichigaatenig.

He looked, and saw that his work was all finished.

(95a) "Mii geshtine ket-ani-[i]shi-maajaayaan, mii shigwa nimpaapaa pi-maajaat pi-nandawa(a)bamik.

"At once must I be leaving, for soon will my father be setting out hitherward to see you.

(95b) Ayaangwaamisin!

Be on your guard!

(95c) Kiigat-ik nimpaapaa: ‘Nindaanis odanookiiwiwin,’ kiigat-ik.

My father will say to you: ‘My daughter did that.’

(95d) Kego baapish kiga-shaagoosomigosi.

Do not under any condition let him have full sway over you with his speech.

(95e) ‘Kaawiin,’ kiigat-i(i)naa.

‘No,’ you must tell him.

(95f) ‘Kigii-wani'aa na entaiyeg?’ ishi.”

‘Did you miss her at home?’ you must say to him."

(96) Mii dash ezhi-maajaat a ikwe, mii go imaa megwaa gaa-giikitot kaa-onjiwanishing.

And then away went the woman, and she was yet talking when she disappeared from his sight.

(97) Odigoon gaye iiniw ikwewan: "Tanakamigisi(i)n igo imaa," mii iwe kaa-igot miinawaa.

And he was also told by the woman: "Just keep on working there," such was what he was told by her again.

(98) Mii dash aw akiwenzi piitwewidam.

And then the old man came, speaking in a murmuring tone.

(99) Pi-tagwishi(i)n.

When he arrived,

(100) "A a aw! nindaanis ashaa Wozhaawaas[h]kokaas[h]kitaasepison odanokiiwiwin," odigoon.

"Ha, ha! my daughter Blue-Garter did it," the other was told.

(101) "Sha ikido winena'a!" odinaan.

"What is he saying now!" he said of him.

(102) "Kaawiin niinkikenimaasii," ikido inini.

"I do not know her," said the youth.

(103) "Aw, mii iw. Ambe awi-wiisinitaa!"

"Well, that will do. Come, let us go and eat!"

(104a) Megwaa dash ani-pimosewat idash, odigoon iiniw akiweziiyan:

And while they were walking along, he was told by the old man:

(104b) "Noongom ishkwaa-naawakweg keyaabi noongom pangii kegoo kiigat-ishijige," odigoon.

"To-day during the afternoon there will be something else I should like to have you do," he was told.

(105) "Waanskop kiigat-iska'aan," odigoon.

"There is a pool of water which you should dip out," he was told.

(106) "Kaye dash go kiigad-ashitoon weweni chi-paateg," odigoon.

"And you are to remain with it till it is thoroughly dry," he was told.

(107) Mii dash ezhi-maajiinigot eshkwaa-naawakwenig; mii dash tegoshinowaat iwiti kedashanokiit oowa(a)bandaan aw inini ezhi-naagwatinig enoonint.

And so he was led away in the afternoon; and when they arrived at the place where he was to work, then the youth saw the nature of the work he was asked to do.

(108) Mii nangwana saaga'igaans.

It turned out to be a little lake.

(109) Mii dash minawaa akiwenzii ezhi-miinaat ked-aabachitoonit chi-iskaa'aminit iw saaga'igaans.

And the old man also gave him what he was to use in dipping out the water from the little pond.

(110) Oomiinigoon odabiimakakosh kaanda'igwaasanan kaye.

He was given an old box sewed with root, and also a thimble-flower.

(111) Mii dash egot iiniw akiwenziiyan : "Mii niin iko oonow aayaabachitooyaan iko," odigoon.

And then he was told by the old man: "It is these that I always use," he was told.

(112) Mii dash, kiinwenh, aw inini kaawin kegoo ikitosii.

But they say that the youth did not say anything.

(113) Tibishkoo izhinaagosi chi(i)-kas[h]kitot eni-anoonint.

He looked as if he would succeed in doing what was asked of him.

(114) Eni-maajaat dash aw akiwenzhiish, odoodaapinaanan iiniw maanint chi(i)-aabachitoot anokit.

And when the hateful old man departed, he took the things which were given him to use in the work.

(115) Kanawa(a)bandank: "Aaniin ke-izhi-kas[h]kitooyaan chi(i)-iska'amaan iw saagaa'igaans?"

On examining them, he thought: "How shall I be able to dip the pond dry?"

(116) Miiziwe zazhiizhibaiyaa kaye kaanda'igwaason aapichi piigos[h]kaa kaye.

Everywhere were holes in the box, and the thimble-flower was very much broken.

(117) Mii desh ezhi-apagitoot iiniw, ezhi-wawenabit aw inini mawit.

And then he flung them away, down sat the youth and wept.

(118) Kaawiin omikwenimaasiin iiniw ikwewan wa(a)dookaagot iko.

He did not think of the woman who was always helping him.

(119) Ningoding idash igo omikwenimaan.

At last he became mindful of her.

(120) Paapige imaa ayaawan.

Straightway there she was.

(121) Mii desh egot: "Aniish wiin mewisha kii-mikwenimisiwan?" odigoon.

And he was told by her: "Why did you not think of me long ago?" he was told.

(122) Mii go minawaa tibishko endodaagot.

And then once more in the same way as before was he treated by her.

(123) Wawenabit, odaapikwenaat, igot: "Kiiga-nandookomaanin."

She sat down, took hold of his head, and he was told: "I wish to look for your lice."

(124) Mii dash keget ezhi-nibaat aw inini minawaa.

Whereupon, to be sure, the man fell asleep again.

(125) Komaa apii minawaa egot: "Kos[h]kosi(i)n!"

And later on, another time he was told: "Arise from your sleep!"

(126) Mii dash keget ezhi-kos[h]kosit aw inini.

And truly the man rose from his sleep.

(127) Inaabit, kakina kii-kiishichigaateni otanokiiwiwin.

As he looked, the whole of his work was done.

(128) Aapichi minwendam.

Ever so happy in his mind was he.

(129) Nawach noongom minwendam aw inini apiichi dash odaanaang.

More happy now was the man than he was the time before.

(130a) Mii dash minawaa egot iiniw ikwewan:

And then again was he told by the woman:

(130b) "Mii go minawaa ked-inik aw noos tibishkoo kaa-inik," odinaan.

"And now again will my father say to you the same that he said to you before," she said to him:

(131a) "Ayaangwaamisi(i)n!

"Be on your guard!

(131b) Kego kimpakinakosii.

Don't let him get the better of you.

(131c) Ishi kaawiin niin nintanokiiwiwin."

Tell him it is not my work."

(132) Mii desh ezhi-maajaat aw ikwe.

Thereupon away went the woman.

(133) Mii go minawaa shayiigwa akiwenzii piidwewidam.

And then once more was the old man now on his way hither, saying in a muttering tone:

(134) "Aa a, nindaanis otanokiiwiwin Ozhaawaas[h]kokas[h]kitaasepison!" odigoon.

"Halloo! it is the work of my daughter Blue-Garter," the other was told.

(135) "Azhitashwinaa ikitowanen?" odinaan.

"What does he always mean by such talk?" he said, referring to him.

(136) "Niint sa go nintanokiiwiwin."

"It is my own doing."

(137) Nawach igo neshkaatisingin izhi-giigito aw inini.

More as if he were angry was the nature of the man's voice as he spoke.

(138) "A, mii [i]we, mii [i]we, mii [i]we," odigoon.

"Well, that will do, that will do, that will do," he was told.

(139) Mii desh ezhi-maajaawaat, ani-kiiwewaat.

And then they started away, on their way back home they went.

(140a) Megwaa dash ani-papimosewaat minawaa odigoon:

And while they went walking along, again he was told:

(141b) "Keyaabi pangi kegoo kigad-izhichige, mii dash iw skwaach," odigoon.

"There is yet a little bit of something else I would have you do, and then that will be the last," he was told.

(142) "Aapichi achinaa kigat-azhitaa" odigoon.

"A very little while will you take to do it," he was told.

(143) "Oonh," odinaan.

"Really!" he said to him.

(144) Mii dash minawaa wayaabaninik maajaawaat izhaawaat iwiti wa(a)-tashanokiit.

And then on the next morning they started away, and went over to the place where he was to work.

(145) Mii dash wa(a)banda'igot iiniw shingwaakwat kechii-shaandawewaat.

And then he was shown by the other a pine-forest, the limbs of which he was to cut down.

(146) Mii go minawaa mitig-waagaakwat maanigot chi-aabachitoot; minawaa desh pimidewish omiinigoon; kaye desh mitigoo-wagikomaanish chi-wa(a)biskaakokonaat iiniw mitigoon.

Whereupon he was next given a wooden axe to use; and likewise some useless grease was he given; likewise a wooden knife with a crooked blade, with which he was to cut off bark from the tree.

(147) Mii dash eni-maajaat aw akiwenzi kiiwet.

And then away went the old man, who returned to his home.

(148) Mii go minawaa enoodank aw inini wa(a)wa(a)bandangin iiniw maanint chi-aabachitoot anokit.

Thereupon the same as before did the (young) man when he gazed at the things given him to use in his work.

(149) Aapichi sanagendam taataataga [i]naabamaat iiniw shingwaakwan.

Very hard he regarded it as he looked up at the pine.

(150) Mii go miinawaa ezhi-naamadabit mawit.

Therefore again he sat down and wept.

(151) Kaawiin miinawaa mikwenimaasi(i)n iiniw ikwewan waadookaagot iko.

And once more he was unmindful of the woman who was always helping him.

(152) Mii dash aw inini ezhi-apagisot mischiiya'i pekish mawit.

Thereupon the man flung himself down on the ground, at the same time he wept.

(153a) Komaa apii ogii-pii-naasikaagoonigot:

Before long he was approached and spoken to:

(153b) "Wegonen kaa-onji-mikwenimisiwan mewizha?

"Why did you not think of me long before?

(153c) shayiigwa nimpaapa ta-tagwishin aabita tiba'igan keyaapi.

In a little while will my father come, a half measure away is he yet.

(153d) Haw, wewiip!

Be quick!

(153e) Omaa pi-izhaan!"

Hurry and come here!"

(154a) Mii dash ezhi-atoonit ochiingwanaaning os[h]tigwaan ti(i)bishkoo minawaa igot:

And then she put his head into her lap the same as before, and he was told:

(154b) "Kiiga-nadookomaanin."

"I am going to look for your lice."

(155) Mii dash keget miinawaa desh inini ezhi-nibaat.

And then, sure enough, the (young) man fell asleep.

(156a) Minawaa oganoonigoon:

Again he was told:

(156b) "Ambe, onishkaan!

"Come, awake!

(156c) Wewiip wii-ani-maajaayaan.

Quickly must I be going.

(156d) Aazha nimpaapa kii-pi-maajaa, pii-izhaat omaa," odigoon.

Already has my father started hitherward, he is coming to this place," he was told.

(157) Mii desh inini onishkaa; inaabit, kakina aazha kii-kiizhitaamagatinig odanokiiwiwin.

Thereupon the man rose; he looked about, and the whole of his work was done.

(158) Mii dash ezhi-maajaat ikwe.

And then away went the woman.

(159) "Eyaangwaamisin!" odigoon.

"Be on your guard!" he was told.

(160) "Mii shigwa nimpaapa!" odigoon.

"Here is my father!" he was told.

(161) Mii go imaa onaabamaat iiniw ikwewan.

And then at yonder place he lost sight of the woman.

(162) Mii shayiigwa akiwenzii.

When the old man was present,

(163) "Aa! nindaanis odanokiiwiwin Woshaawaas[h]kokas[h]kitaasepison."

"Ha! it is the work of my daughter Blue-Garter."

(164) Mii dash enaat: "Azhi dash wiina iw ikidowanen 'aw?"

And then he spoke, referring to him: "What is he always saying this for?"

(165) Mii dash ezhi-naazikawaat odaapinang mitigoons; wa(a)bashzhe'odingin oodoodawaan.

And then he went up to him and picked up a small stick; as if he meant to do some switching, was the way ho handled the stick.

(166) "Oo, anishaa kiwii-inin," odigoon.

"Oh, I meant nothing by speaking thus to you," he was told.

(167a) "Aaniish, mii sa kii-kashki'at nindaanis.

"Well, therefore have you won my daughter.

(167b) Mii sa chi(i)-wiidigemat onaagoshik." odigoon.

Now you may marry her this evening," he was told.

(168) Mii desh eni-[i]zhi-kiiwewaat.

And then they went on their way back home.

(169) Mii desh wenaagoshininig kii-wiidigemaat iiniw ikwewan.

Accordingly, when evening came, he married the woman.

(170a) Mii dash kiinwenh aw ikwe kaa-inaat onaapeman:

And then they say the woman said to the man:

(170b) "Keshti(i)ne kiiga-maajaamin kii-kawishimowaat niniigii'igook!" odinaan.

"Let us go away directly after my parents have gone to bed!" she said to him.

(171) Mii nangwana wiin aw ikwe kii-oshiitaat kii-oshi'aat mas[h]kochiisiminan chi(i)-niiminit adoopowini.

And then it so happened that the woman made ready, and had the beans dancing on the eating-place.

(172) Apii maajaawaat mii desh keget kichi-mino-waanigosiwaat niimiwaat baapiwaat kaye.

And when they had gone away, then of a truth did (the beans) have a merry time dancing and laughing.

(173) Wayiiba dash iigiw kichi-anishinaabeg nibaawag, mii dash wiin aw ikwe wewiip kaa-izhi-asaat omas[h]kochiisiminan oogichaya'ii odoopowin chi(i)-niiminit.

Early indeed had the old folks gone to sleep, and the woman herself soon afterwards had put the beans on top of the eating-place to dance.

(174) Mii desh keget kechi-paapanakamigizingin initaagwak; paapiwaat kaye ti(i)bishko.

And truly it seemed as if there were a very merry time going on, to judge from the sound that was heard; and as if they were also laughing did it seem.

(175) Wiinawaa dash* kii-maajaawag.

But they* themselves were gone.

*The pair.

(176) Mii desh kiinwenh aw ikwe* kaa-izhi-nandawa(a)bandank [i]s[h]kwaandem chi-paakaakwisininig; kaawiin desh kegoo omikanziin gakina kashkaapaka'ikaatewan.

And then they say the woman* examined the door to see if it was open; but she found nothing amiss, for everything was closed.

*The mother.

(177) Mii desh kiinwenh waasechikaning kii-onji-saaga'amoog.

And now they say that by way of the window was where they had gone out.

(178) Mii dash enigok maajaawaat, pimibatoowag enigok.

And fast they went, away they ran at full speed.

(179) Mii desh mindimooye ezhi-tibaachimint.

And now to the old woman does the story turn.

(180) “Aaniin sa naa apii ket-is[h]kwaa-niimiwaat iingiw!

"When, for goodness’ sake, are they going to stop dancing!

(181) Ningat-awi-kanoonaag ambe chi(a)-kawishimowaat.”

I will go and speak to them, for really they must go to bed."

(182) Mii dash akiwenzi ekidot: "Pooni(i)m," odinaan.

And then the old man said: "Don't speak to them," he said to her.

(183) Awanchish aw mindimooye, " Ningat-awi-kanoonaak."

Yet nevertheless the old woman: "I am going to speak to them."

(184) Keget kii-izhaa, aaniin ked-ishinank oowa(a)bamaan omas[h]kochiisiminan niiminit adoopowining!

Truly then she went, and what did she seem to behold but beans dancing on the eating-place!

(185) Mii desh kiinwenh mindimoye kischi-nis[h]kaadisit, kaye wewiip inaabit odaanisan nibaanit iko; mewiizha wiitog maajaanigobanen.

And then they say the old woman was in great anger, and quickly she looked where her daughter was wont to sleep; but it was likely that for a long time since must she have been gone.

(186a) Mii desh mindimooye enaat otakiwenziiman:

And then the old woman said to her old man:

(186b) "Kiin kitindoowin.

"It is your own fault.

(186c) Niin mewizha nind-a(a)ni-ikit chi-[i]naabiyaan.

Long ago I wanted to go and look.

(186d) Kidaanisinaan kii-maajaawag.

Our daughter and he have gone.

(186e) Aw, wewiip onishkaan!

Come, hurry and wake up!

(186f) Noopinash!

Go chase after them!

(186g) Pi(i)-giiwewish kidaanisinaan!

Bring home our daughter!

(186h) Awi desh inini, nishi!" odinaan.

And as for that man, kill him!" she said to him.

(187a) Mii dash wiin aw ikwe enaat onaabeman:

And then the (young) woman, in turn, said to her husband:

)187b) "Inaabin odaanaang!

"Look you behind!

(187c) kiiga-noopinaazha'okonaan.

for he will be pursuing us.

(187d) Kiishpi(i)n nimpaapaa pi-noopinaninang ta-biidaanimat; ta-pi-kechi-nootin, kaye ta-pi-makatewaanakwat.

If my father comes in pursuit of us, there will come up a wind; it will be a great wind, and there will come black clouds overhead.

(187e) Mii awe nimpaapaa.

That will be my father.

(187f) Inaapin moozhag!"

Be on the watch always!"

(188) Ningoding idash kiiwenh aw inini aapanaapit oowa(a)bandaan keget shayiigwa piidaanimak pi-makatawaanakwatinig.

And presently they say, when the man looked behind, he saw, sure enough, that there was now a wind coming, and a black cloud was rising overhead.

(189) "Shayiigwa!" odinaan.

"He is coming!" he said to her.

(190) Mii dash keget ezhi-[i]naabit, "Mii awe nimpaapaa!" odinaan.

And then truly, as she looked behind, "That is my father!" she said to him.

(191) "Aiyaangwaamisin!" odinaan.

"Be on your guard!" she said to him.

(192) "[I]Naapin minawaa!"

"Look again!"

(193) "Shayiigwa pasho!" odinan.

"Now he is near!" he said to her.

(194) Mii desh kiinwenh aw ikwe ikidot.

And then they say the woman spoke.

(195) Enaat onaabeman: "Kiga-shingwaakoowimin.”

She said to her husband: "We will turn into pines."

(196) Mii dash keget kaa-izhi-shingwaakowiwaat.

And then in truth into pines they changed.

(197) Akiwenzi pimibatoo.

The old man was coming on the run,

(198) "Woshaawaas[h]kokas[h]kitaasepison! Pi-giiwen! Pi-giiweg! Wewiip!"

"O Blue-Garter! Come back home! (Both of) you come back home! Hurry!"

(199) Kaawiin kanage wiin kiigitosiiwag.

But they, for their part, did not say anything.

(200) Mii dash kinwenh kii-pimipatoot imaa aw akiwenzi.

And then, they say, past where they were came the old man on the run.

(201) Komaa aapi minawaa pimi-giiwe.

Some time afterwards back he came again.

(202) Minawaa maajaawag enigok.

Again they went at top speed.

(203) Mii dash minawaa enaat onaapeman aw ikwe: "Minawaa ta-pi-ishaa."

And then again said the woman to her husband: "Again will he be coming."

(204) Mi dash kiiwenh aw akiwenzi eni-tagwishing endaawaat, nayaag obi-nagishkaagoon omindimoye'iman.

And then they say, when the old man was arriving at his home, already was he met on the way by his old woman.

(205) Igot: "Aaniin, kegoo na kigii-izhinam?"

And by her was he asked: "Well, anything did you see?"

(206a) Ikito dash akiwenzi: "Kaawiin.

And then said the old man: "No.

(206b) Miiy eta go ningii-mayaginawaag niinzh mitigook chigikana patakisowaat, kete-shingwaakwag kegaa pangishinoog."

Yet only was I struck with surprise at the sight of two trees that by the roadside were standing.

They were aged pines, and on the point of falling were they."

(207) "Mii iigiw" odinaan mindimooye.

"It is they!" said the old woman to him.

(208a) "Mii igiw kitaanisinaan.

"That is he and our daughter.

(208b) Kiigikenimaa memindage e-ishi-maji-ishiwepisit.

You know how very powerful she is to conjure.

(208c) Maajaan, minawaa izhaan!"

Go on, again do you go!"

(209) Kegaa mamishiganaamaat.

Nearly was she on the point of clubbing him.

(210) Mii dash keget akiwenzi maajaat.

Thereupon of course did the old man set out.

(211) Mii dash ikwe enaat onaapeman: “Inaabin minawaa! nimpaapa ta-pi-izhaa."

And then the (young) woman said to her husband: "Look again! for my father will be coming."

(212) Mii dash keget wayiiba minawaa inaabit aw inini.

Thereupon truly in a little while once more did the man look.

(213) Shayiigwa minawaa pi-makatewaanakwat.

Now again was there a black cloud coming over the sky.

(214) Mii dash minawaa enaat aw ikwe: "Kiiga-pinewimin noongom."

And then again the woman said to him: "We will turn into partridges this time."

(215) Mii desh keget ezhi-pinewiwaat.

And then truly did they become partridges.

(216) Mii desh minawaa akiwenzi pipagamiset, ezhi-oshikawaat pinewa'.

And so again the old man was coming up to them on the run, when he caused the partridges to fly up.

(217) Mii desh akiwenzi aano-izhi-nantomaat: "Ps, ps, ps!"

And then the old man started to call them: "Ps, ps, ps!"

(218) Aaniish kaawiin pi-izhaasiiwag.

But they did not come to him.

(219) Naabese wii-pi-izhaa nantomaat akiwenzi, aw idash noozhese wodaagwaashkawaan.

The male would have come when the old man called to them, but the hen headed him off.

(220) Awanchish igo kii-ani-pasigo'oowag.

And then, in spite of him, up and away they flew.

(221) Mii desh akiwenzi ani-kiiwet neyaap, kichi-nis[h]kaatisit.

And then the old man turned and went back home, in great anger was he.

(222) Mii dash ani-tagwishing entaawaat.

And so he kept on going till he arrived at home.

(223) Nayaag minawaa piidwewitam mindimooye: "Aaniin?" odinaan.

Already again came the sound of the voice of the old woman: "How is it?" she said to him.

(224) "Kigii-atimag (i)na?"

"Did you overtake them?"

(225) "Kaawiin," odinaan akiwenzi.

"No." said the old man to her.

(226) Aapichi nis[h]kaadisi mindimooye.

Very angry was the old woman.

(227) "Kaawiin na kegoo kigii-wa(a)bamdaziin?"

"Did you not see anything?"

(228) "Kaawiin," ikito akiwenzi.

"No," said the old man.

(229) "Miiy eta go pinewiwag ningii-oshakawaag," odinaan.

"There were only some partridges that I frightened up," he said to her.

(230) "Anawi dash ningii-nantomaag, aanawi naabese wii-pi-izhaa nozhese dash odaagwaas[h]kawaan," odinaan.

"Yet when I called to them, indeed the male would have come, but the hen kept heading him off," he said to her.

(231) Aapichi nis[h]kaadisi mindimooye opakitewaan otakiwenzi'iman.

In great anger was the old woman, (and) she struck her old man.

(232) "Ningat-izha! Nas[h]ke niin, ningat-izhaa!" ikito mindimooye.

"I will go! Just watch me, I will go!" said the old woman.

(233) Me dash ezhi-oodaapinang manoomin maajaat.

And then, taking some rice, she started.

(234a) Mii dash minawaa ikwe enaat onaabeman:

And then once more the (young) woman said to her husband:

(234b) "Nimaamaa noongom ke-pi-izhaat, aapichi nis[h]kaadiziwag.

"My mother this time will be the one to come, for they are very angry.

(234c) Kiishpin wa(a)bandaman pi-kischi-animikiikaag mii iw nimaamaa," ikito.

If you see a big thunder-storm coming, that will be my mother," she said.

(235) "Enigok pimibatoon!" odinaan.

"At top speed must you run!"" she said to him.

(236) "Aabanaabin nisene!"

"Look behind often!"

(237) Mii desh keget inini aabanaabit.

Whereupon truly the man looked behind.

(238) Shayiigwa pi-saagaanakwat waasamoowin gaye.

Already were the clouds coming out of the sky, and lightning was there too.

(239a) "E aapichi nis[h]kaadisi nimaamaa!

"Oh, in great anger is my mother!

(239b) Paapaniziwaagan!

Alas for us!

(239c) Enigok inaabin minawaa!

Quickly look back again!

(239d) Aazha pesho," odinaan.

Now she is hard by," she said to him.

(239a) Mii dash aw ikwe kaa-izhi-awadinaat onaapeman, mii dash enaat:

And then the woman caught hold of her husband, and said to him:

(239b) "Kiigat-aninishipiwimin noongom."

"We will become mallard ducks this time."

(240) Mii dash keget; mii go madaabisewaat kichigaming, mii go kaye wiin mindimoyeyish, ani-pasigo'owaat aninishipag.

And truly that came to pass; for when they came with full speed out upon the sea, and right behind came the mean old woman, then up rose the mallards and flew away.

(241) Pesho kii-ani-pooniiwag.

A short way they flew and alighted.

(242) Mii dash aw mindimooye ezhi-nandomaat.

And then the old woman called to them.

(243) Ikitot pekish saswewebinang manomin.

She spoke at the same time that she scattered the rice.

(244) Inaat: "Piite, piite, piite, piite!"

She said to them: "Piite, piite, piite, piite!"

(245) Aw idesh naabeship mii waa-izhi-ishaat, aw idash noozhezhip odaiyaagoowaan.

And the drake would have gone thither, but the she-duck kept swimming and heading him off.

(246) Aaniish mii wiin miinawa mindimooye ikitot: "Piite, piite, piite, piite!"

And the old woman again said: "Piite, piite, piite, piite!"

(247) Mii desh aw minawaa aapichi wii-ishaat naabeship; mii dash win noozhezhip aapichi kichi-anokii aiyaagoowaat.

And then again very willing was the drake to go; and the she-duck, for her part, had hard work heading him off.

(248) Kegapi waasa ani-izhi-aiyagoowaat.

At last far out she made him swim.

(249) Kegapii idesh kii-ani-pasigo'oowag mi(i)shawagaam, mii desh iwiti noongom aiyaawaat.

And then finally they rose and flew far out to sea, and there they now are.