Pauppukkeewis

A man of large stature and great activity of mind and body found himself standing alone on a prairie. He thought to himself--

体が大きく、心も体もたいそうはつらつとした一人の男が、気がつくと草原にひとりぼっちで立っていた。男は心のなかで思った——

"How came I here? Are there no beings on this earth but myself? I must travel and see. I must walk till I find the abodes of men."

「どうしてわたしはここにいるのだろう。この大地にはわたしのほかに誰もいないのか。旅をして見てみなければ。人の住まいを見つけるまで歩かなければ。」

So as soon as his mind was made up he set out, he knew not whither, in search of habitations. No obstacles diverted him from his purpose. Prairies, rivers, woods, and storms did not daunt his courage or turn him back. After travelling a long time he came to a wood in which he saw decayed stumps of trees, as if they had been cut in ancient times, but he found no other traces of men. Pursuing his journey he found more recent marks of the same kind, and later on he came to fresh traces of human beings, first their footsteps, and then the wood they had cut lying in heaps.

そこで心が決まるとすぐ、男は住まいを探して、どこへとも知らずに出発した。どんな障害も男を目的からそらさなかった。草原も川も森も嵐も、男の勇気をくじいたり引き返させたりしなかった。長いあいだ旅をすると、昔に切られたかのような朽ちた木の切り株のある森に来たが、ほかには人の跡は見つからなかった。旅を続けると、同じようなもっと新しい跡が見つかり、さらに進むと人間の新しい跡に行き当たった。まず足跡、それから切った木が山積みになっているのが見つかった。

Continuing on he emerged towards dusk from the forest, and beheld at a distance a large village of high lodges, standing on rising ground. He said to himself--

さらに進むと、夕暮れごろに森を抜けて、遠くの高台に高い小屋の立ち並ぶ大きな村が見えた。男は心のなかで言った——

"I will arrive there at a run."

「あそこへは駆けていって着くとしよう。」

Off he started with all his speed, and on coming to the first lodge he jumped over it. Those within saw something pass over the top, and then they heard a thump on the ground.

男は全速力で駆けだし、最初の小屋に来るとその上を跳び越えた。なかにいた人々は何かがてっぺんを越えていくのを見て、それから地面にどすんという音を聞いた。

"What is that?" they all said.

「あれは何だ」とみな言った。

One came out to see, and, finding a stranger, invited him in. He found himself in the presence of an old chief and several men who were seated in the lodge. Meat was set before him, after which the chief asked him where he was going and what his name was. He answered he was in search of adventures, and that his name was Pauppukkeewis (grasshopper). The eyes of all were fixed upon him.

一人が見に出てきて、よそ者を見つけるとなかへ招き入れた。なかには年老いた首長と何人かの男たちが座っていた。男の前に肉が出され、それから首長がどこへ行くのか、名は何というのかと尋ねた。男は冒険を探しているところで、名はパウプッケウィス(バッタ)だと答えた。みなの目が男に注がれた。

"Pauppukkeewis!" said one to another, and the laugh went round.

「パウプッケウィスだと!」と互いに言い合い、笑いが広がった。

Pauppukkeewis made but a short stay in the village. He was not easy there. The place gave him no opportunity to display his powers.

パウプッケウィスはその村にほんの少ししかとどまらなかった。そこでは落ち着かなかった。その場所では自分の力を見せる機会がなかったからである。

"I will be off," he said, and taking with him a young man who had formed a strong attachment for him and who might serve him as a mesh-in-au-wa (official who bears the pipe), he set out once more on his travels. The two travelled together, and when the young man was fatigued with walking Pauppukkeewis would show him a few tricks, such as leaping over trees, and turning round on one leg till he made the dust fly in a cloud around him. In this manner he very much amused his companion, though at times his performance somewhat alarmed him.

「出かけよう」とパウプッケウィスは言い、自分をたいそう慕うようになっていて、メシナウワ(きせるを捧げ持つ役の者)として仕えてくれそうな一人の若者を連れて、もう一度旅に出た。二人は連れ立って旅をし、若者が歩き疲れると、パウプッケウィスは木を跳び越えたり、片足でくるくる回ってまわりに雲のように土埃を立てたりする芸をいくつか見せてやった。こうしてパウプッケウィスは連れをたいそう楽しませたが、ときにはその芸が連れをいささか怖がらせることもあった。

One day they came to a large village, where they were well received. The people told them that there were a number of manitoes who lived some distance away and who killed all who came to their lodge.

ある日、二人は大きな村に来て、手厚く迎えられた。人々は、少し離れたところに何人かのマニトウが住んでいて、その小屋に来た者をみな殺してしまうと話した。

The people had made many attempts to extirpate these manitoes, but the war parties that went out for this purpose were always unsuccessful.

人々はこのマニトウたちを根絶やしにしようと何度も試みたが、そのために出ていった戦の一団はいつもしくじっていた。

"I will go and see them," said Pauppukkeewis.

「わたしが会いに行ってこよう」とパウプッケウィスは言った。

The chief of the village warned him of the danger he would run, but finding him resolved, said--

村の首長は、どんな危険に遭うかを警告したが、パウプッケウィスの決心が固いと知ると言った——

"Well, if you will go, since you are my guest, I will send twenty warriors with you."

「では、どうしても行くというなら、お前はわしの客だから、戦士を二十人つけてやろう。」

Pauppukkeewis thanked him for this. Twenty young men offered themselves for the expedition. They went forward, and in a short time descried the lodge of the manitoes. Pauppukkeewis placed his friend and the warriors near him so that they might see all that passed, and then he went alone into the lodge. When he entered he found five horrible-looking manitoes eating. These were the father and four sons. Their appearance was hideous. Their eyes were set low in their heads as if the manitoes were half starved. They offered Pauppukkeewis part of their meat, but he refused it.

パウプッケウィスは首長に礼を言った。二十人の若者が遠征に名乗り出た。一行は進んでいき、まもなくマニトウたちの小屋を見つけた。パウプッケウィスは友と戦士たちを、起こることがみな見えるように近くに置いて、それから一人で小屋に入った。入ってみると、恐ろしい姿のマニトウが五人食事をしていた。それは父と四人の息子だった。その姿はおぞましかった。目はなかば飢えているかのように頭の低いところにあった。マニトウたちはパウプッケウィスに肉を分けてやろうとしたが、パウプッケウィスは断った。

"What have you come for?" asked the old one.

「何をしに来た」と年寄りが尋ねた。

"Nothing," answered Pauppukkeewis.

「何も」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。

At this they all stared at him.

これにみなパウプッケウィスをじろじろ見た。

"Do you not wish to wrestle?" they all asked.

「相撲をとりたくはないか」とみなが尋ねた。

"Yes," replied he.

「とりたい」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。

A hideous smile passed over their faces.

おぞましい笑みがマニトウたちの顔に浮かんだ。

"You go," said the others to their eldest brother.

「お前が行け」とほかの者たちがいちばん上の兄に言った。

Pauppukkeewis and his antagonist were soon clinched in each other's arms. He knew the manitoes' object,--they wanted his flesh,--but he was prepared for them.

パウプッケウィスと相手はたちまち互いの腕でがっちり組み合った。パウプッケウィスにはマニトウたちのねらいがわかっていた——自分の肉を欲しがっているのだ——が、ちゃんと備えていた。

"Haw, haw!" they cried, and the dust and dry leaves flew about the wrestlers as if driven by a strong wind.

「ほう、ほう!」とマニトウたちは叫び、組み合う二人のまわりに、強い風に吹かれたように土埃と枯れ葉が舞った。

The manito was strong, but Pauppukkeewis soon found he could master him. He tripped him up, and threw him with a giant's force head foremost on a stone, and he fell insensible.

マニトウは強かったが、パウプッケウィスはまもなく相手を負かせるとわかった。パウプッケウィスは相手の足をすくい、巨人の力で頭から石の上に投げつけた。相手は気を失って倒れた。

The brothers stepped up in quick succession, but Pauppukkeewis put his tricks in full play, and soon all the four lay bleeding on the ground. The old manito got frightened, and ran for his life. Pauppukkeewis pursued him for sport. Sometimes he was before him, sometimes over his head. Now he would give him a kick, now a push, now a trip, till the manito was quite exhausted. Meanwhile Pauppukkeewis's friend and the warriors came up, crying--

兄弟たちが次々に進み出てきたが、パウプッケウィスは得意の技を存分にふるい、まもなく四人とも血を流して地面に倒れていた。年寄りのマニトウは怖くなって命からがら逃げだした。パウプッケウィスは面白がってあとを追った。あるときは前に回り、あるときは頭の上を越えた。蹴ったり、押したり、足をすくったりして、とうとうマニトウはすっかりへとへとになった。そのあいだにパウプッケウィスの友と戦士たちがやって来て叫んだ——

"Ha, ha, a! Ha, ha, a! Pauppukkeewis is driving him before him."

「はっはっはあ! はっはっはあ! パウプッケウィスがあいつを追い立てているぞ。」

At length Pauppukkeewis threw the manito to the ground with such force that he lay senseless, and the warriors, carrying him off, laid him with the bodies of his sons, and set fire to the whole, consuming them to ashes.

とうとうパウプッケウィスはマニトウを地面にたたきつけて気を失わせ、戦士たちがそれを運んでいって息子たちの体と一緒に置き、全部に火をつけて灰になるまで焼き尽くした。

Around the lodge Pauppukkeewis and his friends saw a large number of bones, the remains of the warriors whom the manitoes had slain. Taking three arrows, Pauppukkeewis called upon the Great Spirit, and then, shooting an arrow in the air, he cried--

小屋のまわりに、パウプッケウィスと仲間たちはたくさんの骨を見た。マニトウたちが殺した戦士たちの亡骸だった。パウプッケウィスは矢を三本取って偉大な霊に呼びかけ、それから一本を宙に射て叫んだ——

"You, who are lying down, rise up, or you will be hit."

「横たわっている者たちよ、起き上がれ。さもないと当たるぞ。」

The bones at these words all collected in one place. Again Pauppukkeewis shot another arrow into the air, crying--

この言葉に骨はみな一か所に集まった。パウプッケウィスはもう一本の矢を宙に射て叫んだ——

"You, who are lying down, rise up, or you will be hit," and each bone drew towards its fellow.

「横たわっている者たちよ、起き上がれ。さもないと当たるぞ。」すると骨はそれぞれ自分の仲間の骨へと引き寄せられた。

Then he shot a third arrow, crying--

それからパウプッケウィスは三本目の矢を射て叫んだ——

"You, who are lying down, rise up, or you will be hit," and the bones immediately came together, flesh came over them, and the warriors, whose remains they were, stood before Pauppukkeewis alive and well.

「横たわっている者たちよ、起き上がれ。さもないと当たるぞ。」すると骨はたちまち組み合わさり、その上に肉がついて、その骨の持ち主だった戦士たちが、生きて元気な姿でパウプッケウィスの前に立った。

He led them to the chief of the village, who had been his friend, and gave them up to him. Soon after, the chief with his counsellors came to him, saying--

パウプッケウィスは戦士たちを、自分の友であった村の首長のもとへ連れていって引き渡した。まもなく首長が相談役たちと一緒にパウプッケウィスのところへ来て言った——

"Who is more worthy to rule than you? You alone can defend us."

「あなたほど治めるにふさわしい者がいようか。わしらを守れるのはあなただけだ。」

Pauppukkeewis thanked the chief, but told him he must set out again in search of further adventures. The chief and the counsellors pressed him to remain, but he was resolved to leave them, and so he told the chief to make his friend ruler while he himself went on his travels.

パウプッケウィスは首長に礼を言ったが、さらなる冒険を探しにまた出かけなければならないと言った。首長と相談役たちはとどまるようせがんだが、パウプッケウィスは去る決心をしていたので、自分が旅に出ているあいだ、友を治め手にするよう首長に言った。

"I will come again," said he, "sometime and see you."

「いつかまた」とパウプッケウィスは言った。「会いに来よう。」

"Ho, ho, ho!" they all cried, "come back again and see us."

「ほう、ほう、ほう!」とみな叫んだ。「また会いに戻ってきてくれ。」

He promised that he would, and set out alone.

パウプッケウィスはそうすると約束して、一人で出発した。

After travelling for some time, he came to a large lake, and on looking about he saw an enormous otter on an island. He thought to himself--

しばらく旅をすると大きな湖に来て、あたりを見まわすと、島に巨大なカワウソがいるのが見えた。パウプッケウィスは心のなかで思った——

"His skin will make me a fine pouch," and, drawing near, he drove an arrow into the otter's side. He waded into the lake, and with some difficulty dragged the carcass ashore. He took out the entrails, but even then the carcass was so heavy that it was as much as he could do to drag it up a hill overlooking the lake. As soon as he got it into the sunshine, where it was warm, he skinned the otter, and threw the carcass away, for he said to himself--

「あいつの皮なら立派な袋になるだろう。」そして近づいて、カワウソの脇腹に矢を打ち込んだ。パウプッケウィスは湖に歩いて入り、なんとか亡骸を岸へ引きずり上げた。はらわたを抜いたが、それでも亡骸はあまりに重く、湖を見下ろす丘の上へ引きずり上げるのがやっとだった。暖かい日なたへ運び上げるとすぐに、パウプッケウィスはカワウソの皮をはぎ、亡骸は投げ捨てた。心のなかでこう言ったのである——

"The war-eagle will come, and then I shall have a chance to get his skin and his feathers to put on my head."

「戦の鷲がやって来るだろう。そうしたら、その皮と羽根を手に入れて頭につける機会ができる。」

Very soon he heard a noise in the air, but he could see nothing. At length a large eagle dropped, as if from the sky, on to the otter's carcass. Pauppukkeewis drew his bow and sent an arrow through the bird's body. The eagle made a dying effort and lifted the carcass up several feet, but it could not disengage its claws, and the weight soon brought the bird down again.

まもなく空で音がしたが、何も見えなかった。とうとう、まるで空から落ちてきたように、大きな鷲がカワウソの亡骸に舞い降りた。パウプッケウィスは弓を引き、鳥の体に矢を射通した。鷲は死にぎわの力をふりしぼって亡骸を数フィート持ち上げたが、爪を外すことができず、その重さでまもなく鳥はまた引き下ろされた。

Then Pauppukkeewis skinned the bird, crowned his head with its feathers, and set out again on his journey.

それからパウプッケウィスは鳥の皮をはぎ、その羽根で頭を飾って、また旅に出た。

After walking a while he came to a lake, the water of which came right up to the trees on its banks. He soon saw that the lake had been made by beavers. He took his station at a certain spot to see whether any of the beavers would show themselves. Soon he saw the head of one peeping out of the water to see who the stranger was.

しばらく歩くと、岸の木々のすぐそばまで水の来ている湖に着いた。パウプッケウィスはすぐにその湖がビーバーのこしらえたものだとわかった。パウプッケウィスはビーバーが姿を見せないか見ようと、ある場所に陣取った。まもなく一匹の頭が、よそ者は誰かと水から顔をのぞかせるのが見えた。

"My friend," said Pauppukkeewis, "could you not turn me into a beaver like yourself?"

「友よ」とパウプッケウィスは言った。「わたしをお前のようなビーバーに変えてくれないか。」

"I do not know," replied the beaver; "I will go and ask the others."

「わからない」とビーバーは答えた。「行ってほかの者に聞いてこよう。」

Soon all the beavers showed their heads above the water, and looked to see if Pauppukkeewis was armed, but he had left his bow and arrows in a hollow tree a short distance off. When they were satisfied they all came near.

まもなくビーバーたちがみな水の上に頭を出して、パウプッケウィスが武器を持っていないか見た。けれどもパウプッケウィスは弓矢を少し離れた木のうろに置いてきていた。ビーバーたちは納得すると、みな近くへやって来た。

"Can you not, with all your united power," said he, "turn me into a beaver? I wish to live among you."

「お前たちみなの力を合わせて」とパウプッケウィスは言った。「わたしをビーバーに変えられないか。お前たちのなかで暮らしたいのだ。」

"Yes," answered the chief, "lie down;" and Pauppukkeewis soon found himself changed into one of them.

「できる」と首長は答えた。「横になれ。」するとパウプッケウィスはまもなく自分がビーバーの一匹に変わっているのに気づいた。

"You must make me large," said he, "larger than any of you."

「わたしを大きくしてくれ」とパウプッケウィスは言った。「お前たちの誰よりも大きく。」

"Yes, yes," said they; "by and by, when we get into the lodge, it shall be done."

「いいとも、いいとも」とビーバーたちは言った。「あとで、小屋に入ったら、そうしてやろう。」

They all dived into the lake, and Pauppukkeewis, passing large heaps of limbs of trees and logs at the bottom, asked the use of them. The beavers answered--

ビーバーたちはみな湖にもぐった。パウプッケウィスは底に木の枝や丸太が大きく山積みになっているそばを通ると、それは何に使うのかと尋ねた。ビーバーたちは答えた——

"They are our winter provisions."

「わたしたちの冬の蓄えだ。」

When they all got into the lodge their number was about one hundred. The lodge was large and warm.

みなが小屋に入ってみると、その数はおよそ百匹だった。小屋は大きく暖かかった。

"Now we will make you large," said they, exerting all their power. "Will that do?"

「さあ、大きくしてやろう」とビーバーたちは言って、ありったけの力をふるった。「これでいいか。」

"Yes," he answered, for he found he was ten times the size of the largest.

「いい」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。いちばん大きな者の十倍の大きさになっていたからである。

"You need not go out," said they. "We will bring your food into the lodge, and you shall be our chief."

「外へ出なくていい」とビーバーたちは言った。「食べ物は小屋のなかへ運んでやる。お前はわれらの首長になるのだ。」

"Very well," answered Pauppukkeewis. He thought--

「よかろう」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。パウプッケウィスは思った——

"I will stay here and grow fat at their expense," but very soon a beaver came into the lodge out of breath, crying--

「ここにとどまって、こいつらの世話で太ってやろう。」ところがまもなく一匹のビーバーが息を切らして小屋に入ってきて叫んだ——

"We are attacked by Indians."

「インディアンに襲われた。」

All huddled together in great fear. The water began to lower, for the hunters had broken down the dam, and soon the beavers heard them on the roof of the lodge, breaking it in. Out jumped all the beavers and so escaped. Pauppukkeewis tried to follow them, but, alas! they had made him so large that he could not creep out at the hole. He called to them to come back, but none answered. He worried himself so much in trying to escape that he looked like a bladder. He could not change himself into a man again though he heard and understood all the hunters said. One of them put his head in at the top of the lodge.

みなひどく恐れて身を寄せ合った。水が下がりはじめた。狩人たちが堰を壊したのである。まもなくビーバーたちは、狩人たちが小屋の屋根の上で屋根を打ち破っている音を聞いた。ビーバーたちはみな飛び出して逃げた。パウプッケウィスもあとを追おうとしたが、悲しいかな! ビーバーたちがあまりに大きくしてしまったので、穴から這い出せなかった。パウプッケウィスは戻ってこいと呼んだが、誰も答えなかった。逃げようともがくうちにひどく苦しんで、浮き袋のようにふくれて見えた。狩人たちの言うことはみな聞こえてわかったが、また人間に戻ることはできなかった。狩人の一人が小屋のてっぺんから頭を突っ込んだ。

"Ty-au!" cried he. "Tut-ty-au! Me-shau-mik! King of the beavers is in."

「チャウ!」とその者は叫んだ。「タッチャウ! メシャウミク! ビーバーの王がなかにいるぞ。」

Then they all got at Pauppukkeewis and battered in his skull with their clubs. After that seven or eight of them placed his body on poles and carried him home. As he went he reflected--

するとみながパウプッケウィスに寄ってたかって、棍棒で頭を打ち砕いた。そのあと七、八人がパウプッケウィスの体を棒に載せて家へ運んでいった。運ばれながらパウプッケウィスは考えた——

"What will become of me? My ghost or shadow will not die after they get me to their lodges."

「わたしはどうなるのだろう。こいつらの小屋に運ばれても、わたしの霊、わたしの影は死なないだろう。」

When the party arrived home, they sent out invitations to a grand feast. The women took Pauppukkeewis and laid him in the snow to skin him, but as soon as his flesh got cold, his jee-bi, or spirit, fled.

一行が家に着くと、大宴会の招きを出した。女たちはパウプッケウィスを雪の上に置いて皮をはごうとしたが、肉が冷えるやいなや、そのジービ、つまり霊は逃げ去った。

Pauppukkeewis found himself standing on a prairie, having assumed his mortal shape. After walking a short distance, he saw a herd of elks feeding. He admired the apparent ease and enjoyment of their life, and thought there could be nothing more pleasant than to have the liberty of running about, and feeding on the prairies. He asked them if they could not change him into an elk.

パウプッケウィスは、死すべき者の姿に戻って草原に立っていた。少し歩くと、ヘラジカの群れが草を食んでいるのが見えた。パウプッケウィスはその暮らしの見るからにのんきで楽しそうなさまに感心し、草原を自由に駆けまわって草を食むほど楽しいことはないだろうと思った。パウプッケウィスはヘラジカたちに、自分をヘラジカに変えてくれないかと頼んだ。

"Yes," they answered, after a pause. "Get down on your hands and feet." He did so, and soon found himself an elk.

「いいとも」とヘラジカたちは少し間をおいて答えた。「四つんばいになれ。」パウプッケウィスがそうすると、まもなくヘラジカになっていた。

"I want big horns and big feet," said he. "I wish to be very large."

「大きな角と大きな足が欲しい」とパウプッケウィスは言った。「うんと大きくなりたいのだ。」

"Yes, yes," they said. "There," exerting all their power, "are you big enough?"

「いいとも、いいとも」とヘラジカたちは言った。「ほら」とありったけの力をふるって、「これで十分大きいか。」

"Yes," he answered, for he saw he was very large.

「十分だ」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。自分がたいそう大きくなったのがわかったからである。

They spent a good time in playing and running.

みなはたっぷり遊んだり駆けたりして過ごした。

Being rather cold one day he went into a thick wood for shelter, and was followed by most of the herd. They had not been there long before some elks from behind passed them like a strong wind. All took the alarm, and off they ran, Pauppukkeewis with the rest.

ある日、いささか寒かったので、パウプッケウィスは風よけに深い森へ入り、群れの大部分があとについてきた。そこに入ってまもなく、うしろから来たヘラジカが何頭か強い風のように群れを追い越していった。みなは驚いて駆けだし、パウプッケウィスもほかの者と一緒に走った。

"Keep out on the plains," said they, but he found it was too late to do so, for they had already got entangled in the thick woods. He soon smelt the hunters, who were closely following his trail, for they had left all the others to follow him. He jumped furiously, and broke down young trees in his flight, but it only served to retard his progress. He soon felt an arrow in his side. He jumped over trees in his agony, but the arrows clattered thicker and thicker about him, and at last one entered his heart. He fell to the ground and heard the whoop of triumph given by the warriors. On coming up they looked at the carcass with astonishment, and, with their hands up to their mouths, exclaimed--

「平原に出ていろ」とヘラジカたちは言ったが、もう遅すぎるとパウプッケウィスは気づいた。みなもう深い森にからめ取られていたのである。まもなくパウプッケウィスは、自分の足跡をぴったり追ってくる狩人たちのにおいを嗅ぎつけた。狩人たちはほかのヘラジカをみな放っておいて、パウプッケウィスを追ってきたのである。パウプッケウィスは猛然と跳び、逃げながら若木を押し倒したが、かえって足が鈍るばかりだった。まもなく脇腹に矢を感じた。苦しみのあまり木を跳び越えたが、まわりにますます矢が降りしきり、とうとう一本が心臓に刺さった。パウプッケウィスは地面に倒れ、戦士たちのあげる勝利の雄叫びを聞いた。やって来た戦士たちは驚いて亡骸を見つめ、手を口に当てて叫んだ——

"Ty-au! ty-au!"

「チャウ! チャウ!」

There were about sixty in the party, who had come out on a special hunt, for one of their number had, the day before, observed Pauppukkeewis's large tracks in the sand. They skinned him, and as his flesh got cold his jee-bi took its flight, and once more he found himself in human shape.

一行はおよそ六十人で、前の日に仲間の一人が砂の上にパウプッケウィスの大きな足跡を見つけたので、特別の狩りに出てきたのだった。狩人たちはパウプッケウィスの皮をはぎ、肉が冷えるとジービは飛び去り、パウプッケウィスはまた人間の姿に戻っていた。

His passion for adventure was not yet cooled. On coming to a large lake, the shore of which was sandy, he saw a large flock of brant, and, speaking to them, he asked them to turn him into a brant.

冒険への情熱はまだ冷めていなかった。砂の岸の大きな湖に来ると、コクガンの大群が見えたので、パウプッケウィスは話しかけて、自分をコクガンに変えてくれと頼んだ。

"Very well," said they.

「いいとも」とコクガンたちは言った。

"But I want to be very large," said he.

「だが、うんと大きくなりたいのだ」とパウプッケウィスは言った。

"Very well," replied the brant, and he soon found himself one of them, of prodigious size, all the others looking on at him in amazement.

「いいとも」とコクガンたちは答えた。するとまもなくパウプッケウィスはとてつもない大きさのコクガンになっていて、ほかの者はみな驚いてそれを見ていた。

"You must fly as leader," they said.

「お前が先頭を飛べ」とコクガンたちは言った。

"No," replied Pauppukkeewis, "I will fly behind."

「いや」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。「わたしはうしろを飛ぶ。」

"Very well," said they. "One thing we have to say to you. You must be careful in flying not to look down, for if you do something may happen to you."

「よかろう」とコクガンたちは言った。「ひとつ言っておくことがある。飛ぶときは決して下を見ないよう気をつけろ。見たら、何かがお前の身に起こるかもしれないから。」

"Be it so," said he, and soon the flock rose up in the air, for they were bound for the north. They flew very fast with Pauppukkeewis behind. One day, while going with a strong wind, and as swift as their wings would flap, while they passed over a large village, the Indians below raised a great shout, for they were amazed at the enormous size of Pauppukkeewis. They made such a noise that Pauppukkeewis forgot what had been told him about not looking down. He was flying as swift as an arrow, and as soon as he brought his neck in, and stretched it down to look at the shouters, his tail was caught by the wind, and he was blown over and over. He tried to right himself, but without success. Down he went from an immense height, turning over and over. He lost his senses, and when he recovered them he found himself jammed in a cleft in a hollow tree. To get backward or forward was impossible, and there he remained until his brant life was ended by starvation. Then his jee-bi again left the carcass, and once more he found himself in human shape.

「そうしよう」とパウプッケウィスは言った。まもなく群れは空に舞い上がった。北へ向かうところだったのである。群れはたいそう速く飛び、パウプッケウィスはうしろについた。ある日、強い風に乗って翼の羽ばたくかぎりの速さで飛んでいて、大きな村の上を通り過ぎると、下のインディアンたちが大声で叫んだ。パウプッケウィスのとてつもない大きさに驚いたのである。インディアンたちがあまりに騒ぐので、パウプッケウィスは下を見るなと言われたことを忘れてしまった。パウプッケウィスは矢のように速く飛んでいたが、首を引っ込めて、叫んでいる者たちを見ようと下へ伸ばしたとたん、尾が風にあおられて、くるくると吹き飛ばされた。体勢を立て直そうとしたが、うまくいかなかった。とてつもない高さから、くるくる回りながら落ちていった。パウプッケウィスは気を失い、われに返ると、うつろな木の割れ目にはさまっていた。前にもうしろにも動けず、パウプッケウィスはコクガンの命が飢えで尽きるまでそこにいた。それからジービはまた亡骸を離れ、パウプッケウィスはもう一度人間の姿に戻っていた。

Travelling was still his passion, and one day he came to a lodge, in which were two old men whose heads were white from age. They treated him well, and he told them he was going back to his village to see his friends and people. The old men said they would aid him, and pointed out the way they said he should go, but they were deceivers. After walking all day he came to a lodge very like the first, and looking in he found two old men with white heads. It was in fact the very same lodge, and he had been walking in a circle. The old men did not undeceive him, but pretended to be strangers, and said in a kind voice--

旅はまだパウプッケウィスの情熱で、ある日、年のせいで頭の白くなった二人の老人のいる小屋に来た。老人たちはパウプッケウィスを手厚くもてなし、パウプッケウィスは、友や一族に会いに村へ帰るところだと話した。老人たちは手を貸してやろうと言って、行くべき道を指さしたが、二人はだます者たちだった。一日じゅう歩くと、最初の小屋によく似た小屋に着き、のぞいてみると頭の白い二人の老人がいた。それは実はまさに同じ小屋で、パウプッケウィスは輪を描いて歩いていたのである。老人たちは思い違いを正さず、見知らぬ者のふりをして優しい声で言った——

"We will show you the way."

「道を教えてあげよう。」

After walking the third day, and coming back to the same place, he discovered their trickery, for he had cut a notch in the door-post.

三日目も歩いて同じ場所に戻ってくると、パウプッケウィスは二人のたくらみに気づいた。戸口の柱に刻み目をつけておいたからである。

"Who are you," said he to them, "to treat me so?" and he gave one a kick and the other a slap that killed them. Their blood flew against the rocks near their lodge, and that is the reason there are red streaks in them to this day. Then Pauppukkeewis burned their lodge.

「お前たちは何者だ」とパウプッケウィスは二人に言った。「このわたしをこんな目にあわせるとは。」そしてパウプッケウィスが一人を蹴り、もう一人を平手で打つと、二人は死んだ。二人の血は小屋の近くの岩に飛び散り、今日でもその岩に赤い筋があるのはそのためである。それからパウプッケウィスは二人の小屋を焼いた。

He continued his journey, not knowing exactly which way to go. At last he came to a big lake. He ascended the highest hill to try and see the opposite shore, but he could not, so he made a canoe and took a sail on the water. On looking down he saw that the bottom of the lake was covered with dark fish, of which he caught some. This made him wish to return to his village, and bring his people to live near this lake. He sailed on, and towards evening came to an island, where he stopped and ate the fish.

パウプッケウィスは、どちらへ行けばよいかはっきりわからないまま旅を続けた。とうとう大きな湖に来た。向こう岸が見えないかといちばん高い丘に登ったが、見えなかったので、カヌーをこしらえて水の上に漕ぎ出した。下を見ると、湖の底は黒っぽい魚で覆われていたので、いくらかとった。これで村へ帰って一族をこの湖の近くに住まわせたくなった。パウプッケウィスは漕ぎ続け、夕方近くに島に着いて、そこで止まって魚を食べた。

Next day he returned to the mainland, and, while wandering along the shore, he encountered a more powerful manito than himself, named Manabozho. Pauppukkeewis thought it best, after playing him a trick, to keep out of his way. He again thought of returning to his village, and, transforming himself into a partridge, took his flight towards it. In a short time he reached it, and his return was welcomed with feasting and songs. He told them of the lake and of the fish, and, telling them that it would be easier for them to live there, persuaded them all to remove. He immediately began to lead them by short journeys, and all things turned out as he had said.

次の日、本土に戻って岸をさまよっていると、自分より力のあるマナボゾという名のマニトウに出会った。パウプッケウィスは、いたずらを仕掛けたあとはその道を避けたほうがよいと思った。パウプッケウィスはまた村へ帰ることを考え、ヤマウズラに姿を変えて村のほうへ飛んでいった。まもなく村に着くと、その帰りは宴と歌で迎えられた。パウプッケウィスは湖と魚のことを話し、そこに住むほうが暮らしやすいと言って、みなを移るよう説き伏せた。パウプッケウィスはすぐに短い旅を重ねて一族を導きはじめ、何もかも言ったとおりになった。

While the people lived there a messenger came to Pauppukkeewis in the shape of a bear, and said that the bear-chief wished to see him at once at his village. Pauppukkeewis was ready in an instant, and getting on the messenger's back was carried away. Towards evening they ascended a high mountain, and came to a cave, in which the bear-chief lived. He was a very large creature, and he made Pauppukkeewis welcome, inviting him into his lodge.

人々がそこに住んでいると、熊の姿をした使いがパウプッケウィスのところへ来て、熊の首長がすぐに自分の村で会いたがっていると言った。パウプッケウィスはたちまち支度を整え、使いの背中に乗って運ばれていった。夕方近く、二者は高い山を登り、熊の首長の住む洞穴に着いた。首長はたいそう大きな生き物で、パウプッケウィスを歓迎して小屋に招き入れた。

As soon as propriety allowed he spoke, and said that he had sent for him because he had heard he was the chief who was leading a large party towards his hunting-grounds.

礼儀の許すかぎりすぐに首長は口を開き、お前が大勢の一団を自分の狩り場のほうへ導いている首長だと聞いたので呼んだのだ、と言った。

"You must know," said he, "that you have no right there, and I wish you to leave the country with your party, or else we must fight."

「知っておいてもらわねばならぬ」と首長は言った。「お前にはあそこにいる権利はない。お前の一団を連れてこの国を去ってもらいたい。さもなければ戦わねばならぬ。」

"Very well," replied Pauppukkeewis, "so be it."

「よかろう」とパウプッケウィスは答えた。「そういうことにしよう。」

He did not wish to do anything without consulting his people, and he saw that the bear-chief was raising a war-party, so he said he would go back that night. The bear-king told him he might do as he wished, and that one of the bears was at his command; so Pauppukkeewis, jumping on its back, rode home. Then he assembled the village, and told the young men to kill the bear, make ready a feast, and hang the head outside the village, for he knew the bear spies would soon see it and carry the news to their chief.

パウプッケウィスは一族に相談せずには何もしたくなかったし、熊の首長が戦の一団を集めているのもわかったので、今夜帰ると言った。熊の王は、好きなようにするがよい、熊の一頭をお前の言いなりにさせてやろうと言った。そこでパウプッケウィスはその熊の背に飛び乗って家へ帰った。それからパウプッケウィスは村の者を集め、若者たちにその熊を殺して宴の支度をし、頭を村の外に吊るすよう言った。熊の偵察がすぐにそれを見つけて首長に知らせを運ぶとわかっていたからである。

Next morning Pauppukkeewis got all his young warriors ready for the fight. After waiting one day, the bear war-party came in sight, making a tremendous noise. The bear-chief advanced, and said that he did not wish to shed the blood of the young warriors, but if Pauppukkeewis would consent they two would run a race, and the winner should kill the losing chief, and all the loser's followers should be the slaves of the other. Pauppukkeewis agreed, and they ran before all the warriors. He was victor; but not to terminate the race too quickly he gave the bear-chief some specimens of his skill, forming eddies and whirlwinds with the sand as he twisted and turned about. As the bear-chief came to the post Pauppukkeewis drove an arrow through him. Having done this he told his young men to take the bears and tie one at the door of each lodge, that they might remain in future as slaves.

次の朝、パウプッケウィスは若い戦士たちみなに戦いの支度をさせた。一日待つと、熊の戦の一団がとてつもない音を立てて姿を現した。熊の首長は進み出て、若い戦士たちの血を流したくはない、パウプッケウィスが承知するなら二人で駆け比べをして、勝った者が負けた首長を殺し、負けた者の手下はみな勝った者の奴隷になることにしよう、と言った。パウプッケウィスは承知し、二人は戦士たちみなの前で駆けた。パウプッケウィスが勝った。けれども駆け比べをあまり早く終わらせないように、身をよじって向きを変えながら砂で渦や旋風をこしらえて、熊の首長に自分の腕前をいくつか見せてやった。熊の首長が決勝の柱に来ると、パウプッケウィスはその体に矢を射通した。そうしてから、パウプッケウィスは若者たちに、熊を連れていって一頭ずつ各小屋の戸口につなぎ、これからは奴隷としてそこにいさせるよう言った。

After seeing that all was quiet and prosperous in the village, Pauppukkeewis felt his desire for adventure returning, so he took an affectionate leave of his friends and people, and started off again. After wandering a long time, he came to the lodge of Manabozho, who was absent. Pauppukkeewis thought he would play him a trick, so he turned everything in the lodge upside down and killed his chickens. Now Manabozho calls all the fowl of the air his chickens, and among the number was a raven, the meanest of birds, and him Pauppukkeewis killed and hung up by the neck to insult Manabozho. He then went on till he came to a very high point of rocks running out into the lake, from the top of which he could see the country as far as eye could reach. While he sat there, Manabozho's mountain chickens flew round and past him in great numbers. So, out of spite, he shot many of them, for his arrows were sure and the birds many, and he amused himself by throwing the birds down the precipice. At length a wary bird called out--

村がみな穏やかで栄えているのを見届けると、パウプッケウィスはまた冒険への望みがよみがえってくるのを感じた。そこで友と一族に情のこもった別れを告げて、また出発した。長いことさまよって、マナボゾの小屋に来た。マナボゾは留守だった。パウプッケウィスはいたずらを仕掛けてやろうと思って、小屋のなかのものをみなひっくり返し、マナボゾのひよこたちを殺した。さて、マナボゾは空のあらゆる鳥を自分のひよこと呼んでいて、そのなかに鳥のなかでいちばん卑しい鴉がいた。パウプッケウィスはそれを殺して、マナボゾを侮辱するために首を吊るした。それからパウプッケウィスは進んでいって、湖に突き出したたいそう高い岩の岬に来た。そのてっぺんからは、目の届くかぎり国を見わたせた。パウプッケウィスがそこに座っていると、マナボゾの山のひよこたちが大群をなしてまわりを飛びまわり、そばを通り過ぎていった。そこでパウプッケウィスは意地悪から、たくさん射落とした。矢は確かで、鳥はたくさんいたからである。そして鳥を崖の下へ投げ落として楽しんだ。とうとう用心深い一羽が叫んだ——

"Pauppukkeewis is killing us: go and tell our father."

「パウプッケウィスがわたしたちを殺している。行って父上に知らせて。」

Away flew some of them, and Manabozho soon made his appearance on the plain below.

何羽かが飛び去り、まもなくマナボゾが下の平原に姿を現した。

Pauppukkeewis slipped down the other side of the mountain. Manabozho cried from the top--

パウプッケウィスは山の反対側へすべり下りた。マナボゾはてっぺんから叫んだ——

"The earth is not so large but I can get up to you."

「お前のところまで登っていけないほど、この大地は広くはないぞ。」

Off Pauppukkeewis ran and Manabozho after him. He ran over hills and prairies with all his speed, but his pursuer was still hard after him. Then he thought of a shift. He stopped, and climbed a large pine-tree, stripped it of all its green foliage, and threw it to the winds. Then he ran on. When Manabozho reached the tree, it called out to him--

パウプッケウィスは駆けだし、マナボゾはあとを追った。パウプッケウィスは全速力で丘や草原を越えて走ったが、追っ手はなおもぴったりついてきた。そこでパウプッケウィスは一計を案じた。止まって大きな松の木に登り、その緑の葉をすっかりむしり取って風に投げ散らした。それからまた走った。マナボゾがその木に着くと、木が呼びかけた——

"Great Manabozho, give me my life again. Pauppukkeewis has killed me."

「偉大なマナボゾよ、わたしの命を返してください。パウプッケウィスがわたしを殺したのです。」

"I will do so," said Manabozho, and it took him some time to gather the scattered foliage. Then he resumed the chase. Pauppukkeewis repeated the same trick with the hemlock, and with other trees, for Manabozho would always stop to restore anything that called upon him to give it life again. By this means Pauppukkeewis kept ahead, but still Manabozho was overtaking him when Pauppukkeewis saw an elk. He asked it to take him on its back, and this the animal did, and for a time he made great progress. Still Manabozho was in sight. Pauppukkeewis dismounted, and, coming to a large sandstone rock, he broke it in pieces, and scattered the grains. Manabozho was so close upon him at this place that he had almost caught him, but the foundation of the rock cried out--

「そうしよう」とマナボゾは言ったが、散らばった葉を集めるのにしばらくかかった。それからマナボゾはまた追跡を続けた。パウプッケウィスはツガの木やほかの木でも同じ手を繰り返した。マナボゾは、命を返してくれと呼びかけるものがあれば、いつも止まって元に戻してやるからである。こうしてパウプッケウィスは先を保ったが、それでもマナボゾが追いつきそうになったとき、パウプッケウィスはヘラジカを見つけた。背中に乗せてくれと頼むと、獣はそうしてくれたので、しばらくはぐんぐん進んだ。それでもマナボゾの姿は見えていた。パウプッケウィスは降りて、大きな砂岩の岩に来ると、それを粉々に砕いて粒をまき散らした。この場所ではマナボゾがあまりに間近に迫っていたので、ほとんどつかまりそうになったが、岩の土台が叫んだ——

"Haye! Ne-me-sho! Pauppukkeewis has spoiled me. Will you not restore me to life?"

「ハイエ! ネメショー(おじいさま)! パウプッケウィスがわたしを台無しにしました。命を返してくれませんか。」

"Yes," replied Manabozho, and he restored the rock to its previous shape. He then pushed on in pursuit of Pauppukkeewis, and had got so near as to put out his arm to seize him, when Pauppukkeewis dodged him, and raised such a dust and commotion by whirlwinds, as to make the trees break, and the sand and leaves dance in the air. Again and again Manabozho's hand was put out to catch him, but he dodged him at every turn, and at last, making a great dust, he dashed into a hollow tree, which had been blown down, and, changing himself into a snake, crept out at its roots. Well that he did; for at the moment Manabozho, who is Ogee-bau-ge-mon (a species of lightning) struck the tree with all his power, and shivered it to fragments. Pauppukkeewis again took human shape, and again Manabozho, pursuing him, pressed him hard.

「いいとも」とマナボゾは答えて、岩をもとの形に戻した。それからマナボゾはパウプッケウィスを追って突き進み、すぐそばまで迫って腕を伸ばしてつかもうとしたが、パウプッケウィスは身をかわし、旋風であまりに土埃と騒ぎを巻き起こしたので、木々は折れ、砂や木の葉が宙に舞った。何度も何度もマナボゾはつかもうと手を伸ばしたが、パウプッケウィスはそのたびに身をかわし、とうとう大きな土埃を立てて、吹き倒されたうつろな木に飛び込み、ヘビに姿を変えてその根もとから這い出した。そうしたのは幸いだった。その瞬間、オギーバウゲモン(稲妻の一種)であるマナボゾが、力いっぱい木を打って粉々に砕いたからである。パウプッケウィスはまた人間の姿になり、マナボゾはまた追って、パウプッケウィスを激しく追いつめた。

At a distance Pauppukkeewis saw a very high rock jutting out into a lake, and he ran for the foot of the precipice, which was abrupt and elevated. As he came near, the manito of the rock opened his door and told him to come in. No sooner was the door closed than Manabozho knocked at it.

遠くに、湖に突き出したたいそう高い岩が見えたので、パウプッケウィスは切り立ってそびえるその崖のふもとへ走った。近づくと、岩のマニトウが戸を開けて、入れと言った。戸が閉まるやいなや、マナボゾが戸を叩いた。

"Open," he cried in a loud voice.

「開けろ」とマナボゾは大声で叫んだ。

The manito was afraid of him, but said to his guest--

マニトウはマナボゾを恐れていたが、客に言った——

"Since I have sheltered you, I would sooner die with you than open the door."

「お前をかくまったからには、戸を開けるくらいなら、お前と一緒に死ぬほうがいい。」

"Open," Manabozho cried again.

「開けろ」とマナボゾはまた叫んだ。

The manito was silent. Manabozho made no attempt to force the door open. He waited a few moments.

マニトウは黙っていた。マナボゾは戸を力ずくで開けようとはしなかった。少し待った。

"Very well," said he, "I give you till night to live."

「よかろう」とマナボゾは言った。「夜まで命をくれてやる。」

The manito trembled, for he knew that when the hour came he would be shut up under the earth.

マニトウは震えた。その時が来たら、自分が大地の下に閉じこめられるとわかっていたからである。

Night came, the clouds hung low and black, and every moment the forked lightning flashed from them. The black clouds advanced slowly and threw their dark shadows afar, and behind was heard the rumbling noise of the coming thunder. When the clouds were gathered over the rock the thunders roared, the lightning flashed, the ground shook, and the solid rock split, tottered, and fell. Under the ruins lay crushed the mortal bodies of Pauppukkeewis and the manito.

夜が来た。雲は低く黒く垂れこめ、刻一刻とそこから叉になった稲妻がひらめいた。黒い雲はゆっくりと進んで遠くまで暗い影を落とし、うしろでは近づく雷のごろごろという音が聞こえた。雲が岩の上に集まると、雷がとどろき、稲妻がひらめき、大地が揺れ、堅い岩は裂け、ぐらつき、崩れ落ちた。その瓦礫の下に、パウプッケウィスとマニトウの死すべき体が押しつぶされて横たわっていた。

It was only then that Pauppukkeewis found that he was really dead. He had been killed before in the shapes of different animals, but now his body, in human shape, was crushed.

そのときになってようやく、パウプッケウィスは自分がほんとうに死んだと知った。前にもさまざまな獣の姿で殺されたことはあったが、今度は人間の姿の体が押しつぶされたのである。

Manabozho came and took his jee-bi, or spirit. "You," said he to Pauppukkeewis, "shall not be again permitted to live on the earth. I will give you the shape of the war-eagle, and you shall be the chief of all birds, and your duty shall be to watch over their destinies."

マナボゾがやって来て、そのジービ、つまり霊を取った。「お前は」とマナボゾはパウプッケウィスに言った。「もう二度と地上に生きることは許されない。お前に戦の鷲の姿を与えよう。お前はあらゆる鳥の首長となり、その運命を見守るのがお前の務めとなるだろう。」