I

386 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

certain that his account is the only accurate one, and ridicules
his rival, but as no social importance is attached to the tales,
an error in narration is a matter of small moment. Probably
there have been instances in which an individual possessing
much wealth has transformed a story into a family myth, but
it was impossible to obtain a concrete illustration of this; it is
thought that this may have been done in former years, though
of course such would be absolutely contrary to custom.

Stories can be conveniently divided into two types:

I. Those in which the principal character is a mammal or
bird endowed with human intelligence.

IJ. Those in which the principal character is a human
being.

Many of the first type describe the adventures and mis-
adventures of Raven. It must be remembered that the Bella
Coola regard these stories as accurate statements of fact, and
base their characterizations of many supernatural beings on
their actions as recorded therein.

Raven STORIES

HOW RAVEN BECAME BLACK

When Raven was being prepared for his descent to earth, AZguntim
told Mat?ébdlitcak to make him the prettiest of all the birds. When
finished, he was adorned with many colours and was very handsome.
But the vain Raven looked at himself and was not satisfied. First he
asked that one arm might be changed, and when this was done as he
desired, he asked for an alteration in one of his legs; and so on with nearly
every part of his body. Finally, A/guntdém became angry, and told some
of his assistants to throw ashes all over him. This made Raven a uniform
black, in which guise he was sent down to earth.

RAVEN AND WATER OUZEL?

As he was able to assume any form, Raven, once upon a time, took
that of a herald and went to the home of Water Ouzel, who, having spread
a fine cedar-mat for his guest, proceeded to prepare a meal. He brought
a Ane cedar-mat for his guest, proceeded to prepare a meal. He brought

*For another version of this story see Boas, p. 93.