88 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

of a woman, Sekakmdn-a, who dwelt with her mother, a Gull. After a
meal, Raven lied to his hostess by telling her of the countless herring
that lived at Kimsquit, and how happy he could make some of her rela-
tives by taking them home with him. Sekakmdn-a doubted the story
and told one of her brothers to investigate Raven’s canoe because, if the
fish were plentiful at his home, some of the scales would certainly be in
his craft. The herring youth looked inside the canoe, and was deceived
by Raven’s subterfuge. On receiving a favourable report, Sekakmén-a
willingly gave Raven a large box filled with herring. Elated at his vic-
tory, Raven set out for home and threw his spoil into the water as he
neared the beach at Kimsquit. The Kimsquit people knew of Raven’s
search for herring, and did not at first believe him when he reported his
success, but the fish increased so rapidly that his claim was vindicated.

The herring so obtained were the progenitors of all that
now live in the waters adjacent to Kimsquit.

One of the foods regarded by the Bella Coola as a luxury
is a foam-like whip prepared by beating up dried buffalo berries
in water. Raven is given the credit for introducing this to
Bella Coola.

Long, long ago, Stexfekwai?x, a mountain in the Carrier country above
Burnt Ridge, was a chief, possessing human characteristics. Buffalo
berries flourished on his slopes, and he wanted to keep these for food for
his guests. On one occasion he invited all the animals and birds, in-
cluding Raven, to a feast and dance. His house was the interior of the
mountain, and when all had assembled he carefully closed every opening
so that none of the berries could escape. Raven determined to obtain
some of this food for the Bella Coola, and accordingly used his power to
force one of the guests to go outside. As soon as a door was opened to
let him out, Raven seized some of the whip and flew away, scattering
drops of it in his flight. Berries grew wherever the drops fell, and since
that time everybody has been able to make this luxury. Stextekwaitx was
very angry, but could do nothing.

Though Afguntdém created the world, he did not make it
perfect nor equip it with many of the conveniences possessed
by men of the present generation. Raven, endowed both with
imagination and tremendous power, was always seeking ways
of improving conditions. In the beginning of time there were
no mirrors, and if a man wanted to paint his face, or decorate
himself for a dance, he was forced to rely on the assistance of