The Undying Head

In a remote part of the north lived a man and his only sister who had never seen human being. Seldom, if ever, had the man any cause to go from home, for if he wanted food he had only to go a little distance from the lodge, and there place his arrows with their barbs in the ground. He would then return to the lodge and tell his sister where the arrows had been placed, when she would go in search of them, and never fail to find each struck through the heart of a deer. These she dragged to the lodge and dressed for food. Thus she lived until she attained womanhood. One day her brother, who was named Iamo, said to her--

北の人里離れたところに、一人の男とそのたった一人の妹が住んでいて、妹は人間を見たことがなかった。男が家を離れる用はめったになかった。食べ物が欲しければ、小屋から少し離れたところへ行って、矢じりを地面に突き立てて矢を置くだけでよかったからである。それから小屋に戻って妹に矢を置いた場所を教えると、妹が探しに行き、必ずどの矢も鹿の心臓を射抜いているのを見つけた。妹はそれを小屋へ引きずってきて、食べ物にこしらえた。こうして妹は女の年ごろになるまで暮らした。ある日、イアモという名の兄が妹に言った——

"Sister, the time is near when you will be ill. Listen to my advice, for if you do not it will probably be the cause of my death. Take the implements with which we kindle our fires, go some distance from our lodge and build a separate fire. When you are in want of food I will tell you where to find it. You must cook for yourself and I for myself. When you are ill do not attempt to come near the lodge or bring to it any of the utensils you use. Be sure to always have fastened to your belt whatever you will need in your sickness, for you do not know when the time of your indisposition will come. As for myself, I must do the best I can." His sister promised to obey him in all he said.

「妹よ、お前が病になる時が近い。わたしの忠告を聞きなさい。聞かなければ、たぶんそれがわたしの死のもとになるだろう。火をおこす道具を持って、小屋から少し離れたところへ行き、別に火を焚きなさい。食べ物が要るときは、どこで見つかるか教えてやろう。お前は自分の分を、わたしは自分の分を煮炊きしなければならない。病のあいだは小屋に近づこうとしてはいけないし、お前の使う道具を小屋へ持ってきてもいけない。病のあいだに要るものはいつも必ず帯に結びつけておきなさい。その具合の悪くなる時がいつ来るかわからないのだから。わたしのほうは、できるかぎりのことをしなければならない。」妹は兄の言うことにみな従うと約束した。

Shortly after her brother had cause to go from home. His sister was alone in the lodge combing her hair, and she had just untied and laid aside the belt to which the implements were fastened when suddenly she felt unwell. She ran out of the lodge, but in her haste forgot the belt. Afraid to return she stood some time thinking, and finally she determined to return to the lodge and get it, for she said to herself--

まもなく兄は家を離れる用ができた。妹は小屋で一人髪をとかしていて、道具を結びつけた帯をちょうどほどいてわきに置いたとき、突然具合が悪くなった。妹は小屋を飛び出したが、急いだあまり帯を忘れた。戻るのが怖くて、しばらく立って考えていたが、とうとう小屋に戻って帯を取ってこようと決めた。心のなかでこう言ったのである——

"My brother is not at home, and I will stay but a moment to catch hold of it."

「兄さんは家にいないし、つかみ取るあいだほんの一瞬いるだけだもの。」

She went back, and, running in, suddenly seized the belt, and was coming out, when her brother met her. He knew what had happened.

妹は戻って、駆け込むといきなり帯をつかみ、出てこようとしたところで兄に出くわした。兄には何が起こったのかわかった。

"Did I not tell you," said he, "to take care? Now you have killed me."

「気をつけろと言わなかったか」と兄は言った。「これでお前はわたしを殺してしまった。」

His sister would have gone away, but he spoke to her again.

妹は去ろうとしたが、兄はまた言った。

"What can you do now? What I feared has happened. Go in, and stay where you have always lived. You have killed me."

「今さら何ができる。わたしの恐れていたことが起こってしまった。なかへ入って、これまでずっと暮らしてきたところにいなさい。お前はわたしを殺したのだ。」

He then laid aside his hunting dress and accoutrements, and soon after both his feet began to inflame and turn black, so that he could not move. He directed his sister where to place his arrows, so that she might always have food. The inflammation continued to increase, and had now reached his first rib.

それから兄は狩りの衣と道具をわきに置いた。するとまもなく両足が腫れて黒くなりはじめ、動けなくなった。兄は、いつも食べ物が手に入るように、矢をどこに置けばよいか妹に教えた。腫れはどんどん広がり、今やいちばん下のあばら骨まで達していた。

"Sister," said he, "my end is near. You must do as I tell you. You see my medicine-sack and my war-club tied to it. It contains all my medicines, my war-plumes, and my paints of all colours. As soon as the inflammation reaches my chest, you will take my war-club, and with the sharp point of it cut off my head. When it is free from my body, take it, place its neck in the sack, which you must open at one end. Then hang it up in its former place. Do not forget my bow and arrows. One of the last you will take to procure food. Tie the others to my sack, and then hang it up so that I can look towards the door. Now and then I will speak to you, but not often."

「妹よ」と兄は言った。「わたしの最期が近い。わたしの言うとおりにしなければならない。わたしのまじないの袋と、それに結びつけた棍棒が見えるだろう。袋にはわたしの薬と戦の羽根飾りと、あらゆる色の絵の具が入っている。腫れがわたしの胸に達したらすぐに、棍棒を取って、その鋭い先でわたしの首を切り落としなさい。首が体から離れたら、それを取って、片方の端を開けた袋に首の側から入れなさい。それからもとの場所に吊るしなさい。弓矢を忘れてはいけない。矢の一本は食べ物を得るために使いなさい。ほかの矢は袋に結びつけて、それから戸口のほうを見られるように吊るしなさい。ときどきお前に話しかけるが、たびたびではない。」

His sister again promised to obey.

妹はまた従うと約束した。

In a little time his chest became affected.

しばらくすると兄の胸が冒された。

"Now," cried he, "take the club and strike off my head."

「さあ」と兄は叫んだ。「棍棒を取って、わたしの首を打ち落とせ。」

His sister was afraid, but he told her to muster up courage.

妹は怖がったが、兄は勇気をふるい起こせと言った。

"Strike," said he, with a smile upon his face.

「打て」と兄は顔にほほえみを浮かべて言った。

Calling up all her courage, his sister struck and cut off the head.

ありったけの勇気をふるい起こして、妹は打ち、首を切り落とした。

"Now," said the head, "place me where I told you."

「さあ」と首は言った。「言ったところにわたしを置いてくれ。」

Fearful, she obeyed it in all its commands.

恐れながら、妹は首のあらゆる言いつけに従った。

Retaining its animation, it looked round the lodge as usual, and it would command its sister to go to such places where it thought she could best procure the flesh of the different animals she needed. One day the head said--

首は生気を保ったまま、いつものように小屋のなかを見まわし、妹が必要ないろいろな獣の肉をいちばんよく手に入れられると思う場所へ行くよう、妹に命じるのだった。ある日、首は言った——

"The time is not distant when I shall be freed from this situation, but I shall have to undergo many sore evils. So the Superior Manito decrees, and I must bear all patiently."

「わたしがこのありさまから解き放たれる時は遠くない。けれどもわたしは多くのつらい災いを受けなければならない。至高のマニトウがそう定められたのだから、わたしはみな辛抱強く耐えなければならない。」

In a certain part of the country was a village inhabited by a numerous and warlike band of Indians. In this village was a family of ten young men, brothers. In the spring of the year the youngest of these blackened his face and fasted. His dreams were propitious, and having ended his fast, he sent secretly for his brothers at night, so that the people in the village should not be aware of their meeting. He told them how favourable his dreams had been, and that he had called them together to ask them if they would accompany him in a war excursion. They all answered they would. The third son, noted for his oddities, swinging his war-club when his brother had ceased speaking, jumped up: "Yes," said he, "I will go, and this will be the way I will treat those we go to fight with." With those words he struck the post in the centre of the lodge, and gave a yell. The other brothers spoke to him, saying--

国のあるところに、数の多い好戦的なインディアンの一団の住む村があった。その村に、十人の若い兄弟の一家があった。春になると、そのいちばん下の弟が顔を黒く塗って断食した。見た夢は吉兆で、断食を終えると、村の人々に集まりを気づかれないように、夜ひそかに兄たちを呼び寄せた。弟は兄たちに、夢がどれほど吉兆だったかを話し、戦の遠征に一緒に来てくれるか聞くために呼び集めたのだと言った。兄たちはみな行くと答えた。変わり者で知られる三番目の息子は、弟が話し終えると棍棒を振りまわして飛び上がった。「おう」とその者は言った。「おれは行くぞ。戦いに行く相手はこうやってやる。」そう言うなり小屋のまんなかの柱を打ち、雄叫びをあげた。ほかの兄弟たちはその者に言った——

"Gently, gently, Mudjikewis, when you are in other people's lodges." So he sat down. Then, in turn, they took the drum, sang their songs, and closed the meeting with a feast. The youngest told them not to whisper their intention to their wives, but to prepare secretly for their journey. They all promised obedience, and Mudjikewis was the first to do so.

「静かに、静かに、ムジケウィス。よその小屋にいるときは。」そこでムジケウィスは座った。それから兄弟たちは順に太鼓を取って歌を歌い、宴で集まりを締めくくった。いちばん下の弟は、妻たちにもたくらみをささやいてはならず、ひそかに旅の支度をせよと言った。みな従うと約束し、ムジケウィスがまっ先に約束した。

The time for departure drew near. The youngest gave the word for them to assemble on a certain night, when they would commence their journey. Mudjikewis was loud in his demands for his moccasins, and his wife several times demanded the reason of his impatience.

出発の時が近づいた。いちばん下の弟は、ある夜に集まって旅をはじめようと知らせた。ムジケウィスは大声でモカシンをよこせとせがみ、妻は何度もどうしてそんなに急ぐのかと問いただした。

"Besides," said she, "you have a good pair on."

「それに」と妻は言った。「いいのをはいているじゃないの。」

"Quick, quick," replied Mudjikewis; "since you must know, we are going on a war excursion."

「早く、早く」とムジケウィスは答えた。「どうしても知りたいなら言うが、おれたちは戦の遠征に行くのだ。」

Thus he revealed the secret.

こうしてムジケウィスは秘密をもらしてしまった。

That night they met and started. The snow was on the ground, and they travelled all night lest others should follow them. When it was daylight, the leader took snow, made a ball of it, and tossing it up in the air, said--

その夜、兄弟たちは集まって出発した。地面には雪があって、ほかの者に追われないように一晩じゅう旅をした。明るくなると、先導の弟は雪を取って玉にし、それを宙に放り上げて言った——

"It was in this way I saw snow fall in my dream, so that we could not be tracked."

「夢で雪がこうやって降るのを見た。だからわれらの跡はたどれないだろう。」

Immediately snow began to fall in large flakes, so that the leader commanded the brothers to keep close together for fear of losing one another. Close as they walked together it was with difficulty they could see one another. The snow continued falling all that day and the next night, so that it was impossible for any one to follow their track.

たちまち大きなぼたん雪が降りはじめたので、先導の弟は、はぐれないように互いに離れずにいろと兄たちに命じた。すぐそばを並んで歩いても、互いの姿がほとんど見えなかった。雪はその日一日と次の夜じゅう降り続けたので、誰も兄弟たちの跡をたどることはできなかった。

They walked for several days, and Mudjikewis was always in the rear. One day, running suddenly forward, he gave the Saw-saw-quan (war-cry), and struck a tree with his war-club, breaking the tree in pieces as if it had been struck by lightning.

兄弟たちは何日も歩き、ムジケウィスはいつもしんがりにいた。ある日、ムジケウィスは突然前へ駆け出して、ソーソークワン(雄叫び)をあげ、棍棒で木を打った。木はまるで稲妻に打たれたかのように粉々に砕けた。

"Brothers," said he, "this is the way I will serve those we are going to fight."

「兄弟たち」とムジケウィスは言った。「戦いに行く相手には、こうしてやるのだ。」

The leader answered--

先導の弟は答えた——

"Slowly, slowly, Mudjikewis. The one I lead you to is not to be thought of so lightly."

「ゆっくり、ゆっくり、ムジケウィス。わたしが連れていく相手は、そんなに軽く考えてよい相手ではない。」

Again Mudjikewis fell back and thought to himself--

ムジケウィスはまたうしろに下がって、心のなかで思った——

"What, what! Who can this be he is leading us to?"

「なんと、なんと! あいつが連れていく相手とはいったい誰だろう。」

He felt fearful, and was silent. Day after day they travelled on till they came to an extensive plain, on the borders of which human bones were bleaching in the sun. The leader said--

ムジケウィスは怖くなって黙りこんだ。兄弟たちは来る日も来る日も旅をして、とうとう広い平原に着いた。そのへりには人の骨が日にさらされて白くなっていた。先導の弟は言った——

"These are the bones of those who have gone before us. None has ever yet returned to tell the sad tale of their fate."

「これはわれらより先に行った者たちの骨だ。その運命の悲しい話をしに戻ってきた者は、まだ一人もいない。」

Again Mudjikewis became restless, and, running forward, gave the accustomed yell. Advancing to a large rock which stood above the ground he struck it, and it fell to pieces.

またムジケウィスは落ち着かなくなり、前へ駆け出していつもの雄叫びをあげた。地面から突き出している大きな岩のところへ進み出てそれを打つと、岩は粉々に砕けた。

"See, brothers," said he, "thus will I treat those we are going to fight."

「見ろ、兄弟たち」とムジケウィスは言った。「戦いに行く相手はこうしてやる。」

"Be quiet," said the leader. "He to whom I am leading you is not to be compared to that rock."

「静かにしろ」と先導の弟は言った。「わたしがお前たちを連れていく相手は、あの岩とは比べものにならない。」

Mudjikewis fell back quite thoughtful, saying to himself--

ムジケウィスはすっかり考えこんでうしろに下がり、心のなかで言った——

"I wonder who this can be that he is going to attack;" and he was afraid.

「あいつが攻めに行く相手とはいったい誰だろう。」そして怖くなった。

They continued to see the remains of former warriors who had been to the place to which they were now going, and had retreated thus far back again. At last they came to a piece of rising ground, from which they plainly saw on a distant mountain an enormous bear. The distance between them was very great, but the size of the animal caused it to be seen very clearly.

兄弟たちは、今自分たちが向かっている場所へ行き、ここまで逃げ戻ってきた昔の戦士たちの亡骸を見続けた。とうとう小高い場所に来ると、そこから遠くの山にとてつもない熊がいるのがはっきり見えた。あいだの距離はたいそう遠かったが、獣があまりに大きいので、ありありと見えた。

"There," said the leader; "it is to him I am leading you. Here our troubles will only commence, for he is a mishemokwa" (a she-bear, or a male-bear as ferocious as a she-bear) "and a manito. It is he who has what we prize so dearly, to obtain which the warriors whose bones we saw sacrificed their lives. You must not be fearful. Be manly; we shall find him asleep."

「あそこだ」と先導の弟は言った。「わたしがお前たちを連れていくのはあいつのところだ。ここからわれらの苦難がはじまるだけだ。あいつはミシェモクワ」(雌熊、あるいは雌熊ほど獰猛な雄熊)「で、マニトウなのだ。われらがあれほど大事にしているものを持っているのはあいつで、それを手に入れるために、骨を見たあの戦士たちは命を捧げたのだ。恐れてはならない。男らしくあれ。あいつは眠っているだろう。」

The warriors advanced boldly till they came near to the bear, when they stopped to look at it more closely. It was asleep, and there was a belt around its neck.

戦士たちは大胆に進んでいき、熊の近くまで来ると、止まってもっとよく見た。熊は眠っていて、首に帯を巻いていた。

"This," said the leader, touching the belt, "is what we must get. It contains what we want."

「これが」と先導の弟は帯に触れて言った。「われらが手に入れなければならないものだ。われらの求めるものがこれに入っている。」

The eldest brother then tried to slip the belt over the bear's head, the animal appearing to be fast asleep, and not at all disturbed by his efforts. He could not, however, remove the belt, nor was any of the brothers more successful till the one next to the youngest tried in his turn. He slipped the belt nearly over the beast's head, but could not get it quite off. Then the youngest laid his hands on it, and with a pull succeeded. Placing the belt on the eldest brother's back, he said--

それからいちばん上の兄が帯を熊の頭から抜き取ろうとした。獣はぐっすり眠っているようで、その骨折りに少しも乱されなかった。けれども兄は帯を外すことができず、兄弟の誰もうまくいかなかったが、いちばん下の弟のすぐ上の兄が番になると、帯をほとんど獣の頭から抜いたが、すっかりは外せなかった。それからいちばん下の弟が帯に手をかけて、ひと引きで外した。帯をいちばん上の兄の背中に載せると、弟は言った——

"Now we must run," and they started off at their best pace. When one became tired with the weight of the belt another carried it. Thus they ran till they had passed the bones of all the warriors, and when they were some distance beyond, looking back, they saw the monster slowly rising. For some time it stood still, not missing the belt. Then they heard a tremendous howl, like distant thunder, slowly filling the sky. At last they heard the bear cry--

「さあ走らなければ。」そして兄弟たちは全速力で駆けだした。一人が帯の重さに疲れると、別の者が運んだ。こうして兄弟たちは戦士たちの骨をみな通り過ぎるまで走り、そこからだいぶ離れたところで振り返ると、怪物がゆっくり起き上がるのが見えた。しばらく熊はじっと立っていて、帯がないのに気づかなかった。それから、遠い雷のようなすさまじい遠吠えが、ゆっくりと空を満たすのが聞こえた。とうとう熊が叫ぶのが聞こえた——

"Who can it be that has dared to steal my belt? Earth is not so large but I can find them," and it descended the hill in pursuit. With every jump of the bear the earth shook as if it were convulsed. Very soon it approached the party. They, however, kept the belt, exchanging it from one to another, and encouraging each other. The bear, however, gained on them fast.

「わしの帯を盗む度胸のあるやつはいったい誰だ。見つけられないほど大地は広くはないぞ。」そして熊は丘を下って追いかけてきた。熊がひと跳びするごとに、大地はけいれんしたかのように揺れた。まもなく熊は一行に近づいた。それでも兄弟たちは帯を手放さず、互いに受け渡し、励まし合った。けれども熊はみるみる迫ってきた。

"Brothers," said the leader, "have none of you, when fasting, ever dreamed of some friendly spirit who would aid you as a guardian?"

「兄弟たち」と先導の弟は言った。「断食したとき、守り手として助けてくれる味方の霊を夢に見たことのある者はいないか。」

A dead silence followed.

しんと静まりかえった。

"Well," continued he, "once when I was fasting I dreamed of being in danger of instant death, when I saw a small lodge, with smoke curling up from its top. An old man lived in it, and I dreamed that he helped me, and may my dream be verified soon."

「では」と弟は続けた。「わたしが断食したとき、今にも死にそうな危険にあう夢を見た。そのとき、てっぺんから煙の立ちのぼる小さな小屋が見えた。そこには一人の老人が住んでいて、その老人がわたしを助けてくれる夢を見たのだ。わたしの夢がすぐに本当になってほしい。」

Having said this, he ran forward and gave a yell and howl. They came upon a piece of rising ground, and, behold! a lodge with smoke curling from its top appeared before them. This gave them all new strength, and they ran forward and entered the lodge. In it they found an old man, to whom the leader said--

そう言うと、弟は前へ駆け出して雄叫びと遠吠えをあげた。兄弟たちが小高い場所に来ると、なんと! てっぺんから煙の立ちのぼる小屋が目の前に現れた。これでみな新たな力が湧いて、駆けていって小屋に入った。なかには一人の老人がいて、先導の弟は老人に言った——

"Nemesho (my grandfather), help us. We ask your protection, for the great bear would kill us."

「ネメショー(おじいさま)、助けてください。お守りください。大きな熊にわたしたちは殺されてしまいます。」

"Sit down and eat, my grandchildren," said the old man. "Who is a great manito? There is none but me; but let me look;" and he opened the door of the lodge, and saw at a little distance the enraged bear coming on with slow but great leaps. The old man closed the door.

「座って食べなさい、孫たちよ」と老人は言った。「偉大なマニトウとは誰のことだ。わしのほかにはおらぬ。だが見てみよう。」そして老人は小屋の戸を開けて、少し離れたところに、怒り狂った熊がゆっくりと、しかし大きく跳ねながらやって来るのを見た。老人は戸を閉めた。

"Yes," said he; "he is indeed a great manito. My grandchildren, you will be the cause of my losing my life. You asked my protection, and I granted it; so now, come what may, I will protect you. When the bear arrives at the door you must run out at the other end of the lodge."

「なるほど」と老人は言った。「あれはまことに偉大なマニトウだ。孫たちよ、お前たちのせいでわしは命を落とすことになるだろう。お前たちは守ってくれと頼み、わしは引き受けた。だから何が起ころうと、お前たちを守ってやる。熊が戸口に着いたら、お前たちは小屋の反対の端から走り出なければならぬ。」

Putting his hand to the side of the lodge where he sat, he took down a bag, and, opening it, took out of it two small black dogs, which he placed before him.

老人は自分の座っている小屋の壁に手を伸ばして袋を取り下ろし、それを開けて、小さな黒い犬を二匹取り出して前に置いた。

"These are the ones I use when I fight," said he, and he commenced patting with both hands the sides of one of the dogs, which at once commenced to swell out until it filled the lodge, and it had great strong teeth. When the dog had attained its full size it growled, and, springing out at the door, met the bear, which, in another leap, would have reached the lodge. A terrible combat ensued. The sky rang with the howls of the monsters. In a little while the second dog took the field. At the commencement of the battle the brothers, acting on the advice of the old man, escaped through the opposite side of the lodge. They had not proceeded far in their flight before they heard the death-cry of one of the dogs, and soon after that of the other.

「これがわしが戦うときに使う者たちだ」と老人は言って、一匹の犬の両脇を両手で叩きはじめた。すると犬はたちまちふくれはじめて、とうとう小屋いっぱいになり、大きな強い歯を持った。犬はすっかり大きくなるとうなって戸口から飛び出し、もうひと跳びで小屋に届くところまで来ていた熊を迎え撃った。恐ろしい戦いがはじまった。空は怪物たちの遠吠えで鳴り響いた。まもなく二匹目の犬も戦いに出た。戦いのはじめに、兄弟たちは老人の忠告に従って小屋の反対側から逃げ出した。逃げてまださほど行かないうちに、一匹の犬の断末魔の叫びが聞こえ、まもなくもう一匹の叫びも聞こえた。

"Well," said the leader, "the old man will soon share their fate, so run, run! the bear will soon be after us."

「さあ」と先導の弟は言った。「老人もすぐに同じ運命をたどるだろう。だから走れ、走れ! 熊はすぐにまた追ってくるぞ。」

The brothers started with fresh vigour, for the old man had refreshed them with food; but the bear very soon came in sight again, and was evidently fast gaining upon them. Again the leader asked the warriors if they knew of any way in which to save themselves. All were silent. Running forward with a yell and a howl, the leader said--

老人が食べ物で元気づけてくれたので、兄弟たちは新たな力で駆けだした。けれどもまもなく熊がまた姿を現し、明らかにみるみる迫ってきていた。先導の弟はまた戦士たちに、助かる手立てを何か知らないかと尋ねた。みな黙っていた。雄叫びと遠吠えをあげて前へ駆け出しながら、先導の弟は言った——

"I dreamed once that, being in great trouble, an old man, who was a manito, helped me. We shall soon see his lodge."

「あるとき、ひどく困っていると、マニトウである老人が助けてくれる夢を見た。まもなくその小屋が見えるだろう。」

Taking courage, the brothers still went on, and, after going a short distance, they saw a lodge. Entering it, they found an old man, whose protection they claimed, saying that a manito was pursuing them.

勇気を出して兄弟たちはなおも進み、少し行くと小屋が見えた。入ってみると一人の老人がいたので、兄弟たちはマニトウに追われていると言って庇護を求めた。

"Eat," said the old man, putting meat before them. "Who is a manito? There is no manito but me. There is none whom I fear."

「食べなさい」と老人は肉を前に置いて言った。「マニトウとは誰のことだ。わしのほかにマニトウはおらぬ。わしの恐れる者など誰もおらぬ。」

Then he felt the earth tremble as the bear approached, and, opening the door of the lodge, he saw it coming. The old man shut the door slowly, and said--

それから老人は熊が近づいてきて大地が震えるのを感じ、小屋の戸を開けて熊がやって来るのを見た。老人はゆっくり戸を閉めて言った——

"Yes, my grandchildren, you have brought trouble upon me."

「なるほど、孫たちよ、お前たちはわしに災いを連れてきたな。」

Taking his medicine sack, he took out some small war-clubs of black stone, and told the young men to run through the other side of the lodge. As he handled the clubs they became an enormous size, and the old man stepped out as the bear reached the door. He struck the beast with one of his clubs, which broke in pieces, and the bear stumbled. The old man struck it again with the other club, and that also broke, but the bear fell insensible. Each blow the old man struck sounded like a clap of thunder, and the howls of the bear ran along the skies.

老人はまじないの袋を取って、黒い石でできた小さな棍棒をいくつか取り出し、若者たちに小屋の反対側から走り出るよう言った。老人が棍棒を扱うと、棍棒はとてつもない大きさになった。熊が戸口に着くと、老人は外へ出た。老人が棍棒の一本で獣を打つと、棍棒は粉々に砕け、熊はよろめいた。老人がもう一本の棍棒でまた打つと、それも砕けたが、熊は気を失って倒れた。老人の一撃ごとに雷鳴のような音が響き、熊の遠吠えが空を駆けめぐった。

The brothers had gone some distance before they looked back. They then saw that the bear was recovering from the blows. First it moved its paws, and then they saw it rise to its feet. The old man shared the fate of the first, for the warriors heard his cries as he was torn in pieces. Again the monster was in pursuit, and fast overtaking them. Not yet discouraged, the young men kept on their way, but the bear was so close to them that the leader once more applied to his brothers, but they could do nothing.

兄弟たちはかなり遠くまで行ってから振り返った。すると熊が打撃から立ち直りつつあるのが見えた。まず前足を動かし、それから立ち上がるのが見えた。老人は最初の老人と同じ運命をたどった。引き裂かれる老人の叫び声を戦士たちは聞いたのである。また怪物が追ってきて、みるみる迫ってきた。それでもくじけずに若者たちは道を急いだが、熊があまりに近くまで来たので、先導の弟はもう一度兄たちに頼ったが、兄たちには何もできなかった。

"Well," said he, "my dreams will soon be exhausted. After this I have but one more."

「では」と弟は言った。「わたしの夢もじきに尽きる。このあとは、もうひとつしかない。」

He advanced, invoking his guardian spirit to aid him.

弟は守護の霊に助けを祈りながら進んだ。

"Once," said he, "I dreamed that, being sorely pressed, I came to a large lake, on the shore of which was a canoe, partly out of water, and having ten paddles all in readiness. Do not fear," he cried, "we shall soon get to it."

「あるとき」と弟は言った。「ひどく追いつめられて大きな湖に来ると、岸にカヌーがなかば水から出ていて、十本の櫂がすっかり用意されている夢を見た。恐れるな」と弟は叫んだ。「まもなくそこに着くぞ。」

It happened as he had said. Coming to the lake, the warriors found the canoe with the ten paddles, and immediately took their places in it. Putting off, they paddled to the centre of the lake, when they saw the bear on the shore. Lifting itself on its hind-legs, it looked all around. Then it waded into the water until, losing its footing, it turned back, and commenced making the circuit of the lake. Meanwhile the warriors remained stationary in the centre watching the animal's movements. It travelled round till it came to the place whence it started. Then it commenced drinking up the water, and the young men saw a strong current fast setting in towards the bear's mouth. The leader encouraged them to paddle hard for the opposite shore. This they had nearly reached, when the current became too strong for them, and they were drawn back by it, and the stream carried them onwards to the bear.

弟の言ったとおりになった。湖に着くと、戦士たちは十本の櫂のついたカヌーを見つけ、すぐにそれぞれの場所についた。岸を離れて湖のまんなかまで漕いでいくと、岸に熊が見えた。熊は後ろ脚で立ち上がって、あたりを見まわした。それから水のなかへ歩いて入ったが、足が立たなくなると引き返して、湖のまわりをめぐりはじめた。そのあいだ戦士たちはまんなかにとどまって獣の動きを見ていた。熊はぐるりとまわって、出発した場所に戻ってきた。それから水を飲み干しはじめた。若者たちは、熊の口のほうへ強い流れがみるみる向かっていくのを見た。先導の弟は向こう岸へ力いっぱい漕げと励ました。もう少しで着くところだったが、流れが強くなりすぎて引き戻され、流れは兄弟たちを熊のほうへ運んでいった。

Then the leader again spoke, telling his comrades to meet their fate bravely.

すると先導の弟がまた口を開き、仲間たちに勇ましく運命を迎えよと言った。

"Now is the time, Mudjikewis," said he, "to show your prowess. Take courage, and sit in the bow of the canoe, and, when it approaches the bear's mouth, try what effect your club will have on the beast's head."

「今こそ、ムジケウィス」と弟は言った。「お前の腕前を見せるときだ。勇気を出してカヌーの舳先に座り、熊の口に近づいたら、お前の棍棒が獣の頭にどれほど効くか試してみろ。」

Mudjikewis obeyed, and, taking his place, stood ready to give the blow, while the leader, who steered, directed the canoe to the open mouth of the monster.

ムジケウィスは従って場所につき、一撃を加えようと身構えた。そのあいだ舵を取る先導の弟は、カヌーを怪物の開いた口へ向けた。

Rapidly advancing, the canoe was just about to enter the bear's mouth, when Mudjikewis struck the beast a tremendous blow on the head, and gave the saw-saw-quan. The bear's limbs doubled under it, and it fell stunned by the blow, but before Mudjikewis could strike again the monster sent from its mouth all the water it had swallowed with such force that the canoe was immediately carried by the stream to the other side of the lake. Leaving the canoe, the brothers fled, and on they went till they were completely exhausted. Again they felt the earth shake, and, looking back, saw the monster hard after them. The young men's spirits drooped, and they felt faint-hearted. With words and actions the leader exerted himself to cheer them, and once more he asked them if they could do nothing, or think of nothing, that might save them. All were silent as before.

ぐんぐん進んで、カヌーがまさに熊の口に入ろうとしたとき、ムジケウィスは獣の頭にすさまじい一撃を加えて、ソーソークワンをあげた。熊の手足はくずおれ、熊はその一撃に気を失って倒れた。けれどもムジケウィスがもう一度打つ前に、怪物は呑み込んだ水をみな口からすさまじい勢いで吐き出したので、カヌーはたちまちその流れに乗って湖の向こう岸へ運ばれた。兄弟たちはカヌーを捨てて逃げ、すっかり疲れ果てるまで走り続けた。また大地の揺れを感じて振り返ると、怪物がぴったり追ってきていた。若者たちの気力はしぼみ、心細くなった。先導の弟は言葉と行いで兄たちを励まそうと力を尽くし、もう一度、助かるために何かできることや思いつくことはないかと尋ねた。みな前と同じように黙っていた。

"Then," said he, "this is the last time I can apply to my guardian spirit. If we do not now succeed, our fate is decided."

「では」と弟は言った。「守護の霊に頼れるのはこれが最後だ。今度うまくいかなければ、われらの運命は決まる。」

He ran forward, invoking his spirit with great earnestness, and gave the yell.

弟はたいそう熱心に霊に祈りながら前へ駆け出して、雄叫びをあげた。

"We shall soon arrive," said he to his brothers, "at the place where my last guardian spirit dwells. In him I place great confidence. Do not be afraid, or your limbs will be fear-bound. We shall soon reach his lodge. Run, run!"

「まもなく」と弟は兄たちに言った。「わたしの最後の守護の霊の住むところに着く。わたしはその霊を深く信じている。恐れるな。恐れると手足がすくんでしまう。まもなくその小屋に着く。走れ、走れ!」

What had in the meantime passed in the lodge of Iamo? He had remained in the same condition, his head in the sack, directing his sister where to place the arrows to procure food, and speaking at long intervals.

そのあいだ、イアモの小屋では何が起こっていたのだろう。イアモは同じありさまのまま、首は袋に入れられ、食べ物を得るために矢をどこに置けばよいか妹に教え、長い間をおいて口をきいていた。

One day the girl saw the eyes of the head brighten as if with pleasure. At last it spoke.

ある日、娘は首の目が喜んでいるかのように輝くのを見た。とうとう首は口をきいた。

"O sister!" it said, "in what a pitiful situation you have been the cause of placing me! Soon, very soon, a band of young men will arrive and apply to me for aid; but alas! how can I give what I would with so much pleasure have afforded them? Nevertheless, take two arrows, and place them where you have been in the habit of placing the others, and have meat cooked and prepared before they arrive. When you hear them coming, and calling on my name, go out and say, 'Alas! it is long ago since an accident befell him. I was the cause of it.' If they still come near, ask them in, and set meat before them. Follow my directions strictly. A bear will come. Go out and meet him, taking my medicine sack, bow and arrows, and my head. You must then untie the sack, and spread out before you my paints of all colours, my war eagle-feathers, my tufts of dried hair, and whatsoever else the sack contains. As the bear approaches take these articles, one by one, and say to him, 'This is my dead brother's paint,' and so on with all the articles, throwing each of them as far from you as you can. The virtue contained in the things will cause him to totter. Then, to complete his destruction, you must take my head and cast it as far off as you can, crying aloud, 'See, this is my dead brother's head!' He will then fall senseless. While this is taking place the young men will have eaten, and you must call them to your aid. You will, with their assistance, cut the carcass of the bear into pieces--into small pieces--and scatter them to the winds, for unless you do this he will again come to life."

「おお妹よ!」と首は言った。「お前のせいでわたしはなんと哀れなありさまにされたことか! まもなく、もうすぐ、若者の一団がやって来てわたしに助けを求めるだろう。けれども悲しいかな! 喜んで与えたいと思うものを、どうして与えられよう。それでも矢を二本取って、いつもほかの矢を置いていた場所に置き、彼らが着く前に肉を煮て支度しておきなさい。彼らがやって来てわたしの名を呼ぶのが聞こえたら、外へ出て『ああ! あの人に災いがふりかかったのはずっと前のことです。わたしのせいなのです』と言いなさい。それでも近づいてきたら、なかへ招き入れて肉を前に置きなさい。わたしの指図を厳しく守りなさい。熊がやって来る。わたしのまじないの袋と弓矢とわたしの首を持って、外へ出て熊を迎えなさい。それから袋の紐を解いて、わたしのあらゆる色の絵の具と、戦の鷲の羽根と、干した髪の房と、袋に入っているほかのものをみな前に広げなさい。熊が近づいてきたら、それを一つずつ取って熊に『これは死んだ兄の絵の具です』などと言いながら、みなできるだけ遠くへ投げなさい。その品々に宿る力で熊はよろめくだろう。それからとどめを刺すために、わたしの首を取ってできるだけ遠くへ投げ、『ごらん、これは死んだ兄の首です!』と大声で叫びなさい。すると熊は気を失って倒れるだろう。そうしているあいだに若者たちは食べ終わっているだろうから、彼らを呼んで助けてもらいなさい。彼らに手伝ってもらって、熊の亡骸を切り刻み——細かく切り刻んで——四方の風にまき散らしなさい。そうしなければ、熊はまた生き返るだろうから。」

The sister promised that all should be done as he commanded, and she had only time to prepare the meal when the voice of the leader of the band of warriors was heard calling on Iamo for aid. The girl went out and did as she had been directed. She invited the brothers in and placed meat before them, and while they were eating the bear was heard approaching. Untying the medicine sack and taking the head the girl made all ready for its approach. When it came up she did as her brother directed, and before she had cast down all the paints the bear began to totter, but, still advancing, came close to her. Then she took the head and cast it from her as far as she could, and as it rolled upon the ground the bear, tottering, fell with a tremendous noise. The girl cried for help, and the young men rushed out.

妹は何もかも兄の命じるとおりにすると約束した。そして食事の支度をする暇しかないうちに、戦士の一団の頭がイアモに助けを求めて呼ぶ声が聞こえた。娘は外へ出て、言われたとおりにした。兄弟たちをなかへ招き入れて肉を前に置き、兄弟たちが食べているあいだに熊の近づいてくる音が聞こえた。娘はまじないの袋の紐を解いて首を取り、熊を迎える支度をすっかり整えた。熊がやって来ると、娘は兄の指図どおりにした。絵の具をみな投げ終わらないうちに熊はよろめきはじめたが、それでも進んできて娘のすぐそばまで来た。そこで娘は首を取ってできるだけ遠くへ投げた。首が地面を転がると、熊はよろめいて、すさまじい音を立てて倒れた。娘が助けを呼ぶと、若者たちが飛び出してきた。

Mudjikewis, stepping up, gave a yell, and struck the bear a blow on the head. This he repeated till he had dashed out its brains. Then the others, as quickly as possible, cut the monster up into very small pieces and scattered them in all directions. As they were engaged in this they were surprised to find that wherever the flesh was thrown small black bears appeared, such as are seen at the present day, which, starting up, ran away. Thus from this monster the present race of bears derives its origin.

ムジケウィスが進み出て雄叫びをあげ、熊の頭に一撃を加えた。これを繰り返して、とうとう脳を打ち砕いた。それからほかの者たちができるだけすばやく怪物をたいそう細かく切り刻み、四方にまき散らした。そうしていると、肉が投げられたところにはどこでも、今日見られるような小さな黒い熊が現れて、飛び起きて走り去るのを見て兄弟たちは驚いた。こうしてこの怪物から今の熊の一族が生まれたのである。

Having overcome their pursuer the brothers returned to the lodge, and the girl gathered together the articles she had used, and placed the head in the sack again. The head remained silent, probably from its being fatigued with its exertion in overcoming the bear.

追っ手を打ち負かすと、兄弟たちは小屋に戻り、娘は使った品々を集めて、首をまた袋に入れた。首は黙っていた。たぶん熊を打ち負かすのに力を尽くして疲れていたのだろう。

Having spent so much time, and having traversed so vast a country in their flight, the young men gave up the idea of ever returning to their own country, and game being plentiful about the lodge, they determined to remain where they were. One day they moved off some distance from the lodge for the purpose of hunting, and left the belt with the girl. They were very successful, and amused themselves with talking and jesting. One of them said--

あまりに多くの時を費やし、逃げながらあまりに広大な国を越えてきたので、若者たちは自分たちの国へ帰るという考えを捨てた。そして小屋のまわりには獲物がたくさんいたので、そこにとどまることに決めた。ある日、兄弟たちは狩りをするために小屋から少し離れたところへ移り、帯は娘のもとに置いていった。狩りはたいそううまくいき、兄弟たちは話したり冗談を言ったりして楽しんだ。一人が言った——

"We have all this sport to ourselves. Let us go and ask our sister if she will not let us bring the head to this place, for it is still alive."

「こんなに楽しいのをおれたちだけで味わっている。妹のところへ行って、首をここへ連れてきてはいけないか聞いてみよう。まだ生きているのだから。」

So they went and asked for the head. The girl told them to take it, and they carried it to their hunting-grounds and tried to amuse it, but only at times did they see its eyes beam with pleasure. One day, while they were busy in their encampment, they were unexpectedly attacked by unknown enemies. The fight was long and fierce. Many of the foes were slain, but there were thirty of them to each warrior. The young men fought desperately till they were all killed, and then the attacking party retreated to a high place to muster their men and count the missing and the slain. One of the men had strayed away, and happened to come to where the head was hung up. Seeing that it was alive he eyed it for some time with fear and surprise. Then he took it down, and having opened the sack he was much pleased to see the beautiful feathers, one of which he placed on his head.

そこで兄弟たちは行って首を貸してくれと頼んだ。娘が持っていくように言ったので、兄弟たちは首を狩り場へ運んで楽しませようとしたが、その目が喜びに輝くのを見られたのはときおりだけだった。ある日、兄弟たちが野営地で忙しくしていると、思いがけず見知らぬ敵に襲われた。戦いは長く激しかった。敵の多くが殺されたが、戦士一人に対して三十人もいた。若者たちは死にものぐるいで戦い、とうとうみな殺された。それから攻めてきた一団は高い場所へ退いて、人数を集め、いなくなった者と殺された者を数えた。男の一人がはぐれて、たまたま首が吊るしてある場所に来た。首が生きているのを見て、男はしばらく恐れと驚きをもってそれを見つめた。それから首を下ろし、袋を開けて、美しい羽根を見てたいそう喜び、その一本を自分の頭に挿した。

It waved gracefully over him as he walked to his companions' camp, and when he came there he threw down the head and sack and told his friends how he had found them, and how the sack was full of paints and feathers. The men all took the head and made sport of it. Many of the young men took the paint and painted themselves with it; and one of the band, taking the head by the hair, said--

男が仲間の野営地へ歩いていくと、羽根は優美に頭の上で揺れた。そこに着くと、男は首と袋を投げ出して、どうやってそれを見つけたか、袋が絵の具と羽根でいっぱいだったかを仲間に話した。男たちはみな首を取ってなぶりものにした。若者の多くは絵の具を取って自分に塗った。そして一団の一人は首の髪をつかんで言った——

"Look, you ugly thing, and see your paints on the faces of warriors."

「見ろ、醜いやつめ、お前の絵の具が戦士たちの顔に塗られているのを見るがいい。」

The feathers were so beautiful that many of the young men placed them on their heads, and they again subjected the head to all kinds of indignity. They were, however, soon punished for their insulting conduct, for all who had worn the feathers became sick and died. Then the chief commanded the men to throw all the paints and feathers away.

羽根があまりに美しいので、若者の多くがそれを頭に挿し、またあらゆる辱めを首に加えた。けれども男たちはまもなくその無礼な行いの罰を受けた。羽根を挿した者はみな病にかかって死んだのである。そこで首長は、絵の具と羽根をみな捨てよと男たちに命じた。

"As for the head," he said, "we will keep that and take it home with us; we will there see what we can do with it. We will try to make it shut its eyes."

「首のほうは」と首長は言った。「取っておいて、家へ持って帰ろう。そこでこいつをどうしてやれるか見てみよう。目を閉じさせてやろう。」

Meanwhile for several days the sister had been waiting for the brothers to bring back the head; till at last, getting impatient, she went in search of them. She found them lying within short distances of one another, dead, and covered with wounds. Other bodies lay scattered around. She searched for the head and sack, but they were nowhere to be found, so she raised her voice and wept, and blackened her face. Then she walked in different directions till she came to the place whence the head had been taken, and there she found the bow and arrows, which had been left behind. She searched further, hoping to find her brother's head, and, when she came to a piece of rising ground she found some of his paints and feathers. These she carefully put by, hanging them to the branch of a tree.

そのあいだ、妹は何日も兄弟たちが首を返しに来るのを待っていたが、とうとう待ちきれなくなって探しに出かけた。すると兄弟たちが互いに少しずつ離れて倒れているのを見つけた。みな死んでいて、傷に覆われていた。ほかの亡骸もあたりに散らばっていた。娘は首と袋を探したが、どこにも見つからなかったので、声をあげて泣き、顔を黒く塗った。それからあちこち歩いて、首が持ち去られた場所に来ると、置き去りにされた弓矢を見つけた。兄の首を見つけたいと願ってさらに探し、小高い場所に来ると、兄の絵の具と羽根がいくらか見つかった。娘はそれを大事にしまって、木の枝に掛けておいた。

At dusk she came to the first lodge of a large village. Here she used a charm employed by Indians when they wish to meet with a kind reception, and on applying to the old man and the woman who occupied the lodge she was made welcome by them. She told them her errand, and the old man, promising to help her, told her that the head was hung up before the council fire, and that the chiefs and young men of the village kept watch over it continually. The girl said she only desired to see the head, and would be satisfied if she could only get to the door of the lodge in which it was hung, for she knew she could not take it by force.

夕暮れに、娘は大きな村の最初の小屋に着いた。ここで娘は、インディアンが手厚く迎えてもらいたいときに使うまじないを使い、その小屋に住む老人と女に頼むと、二人は娘を歓迎した。娘が用向きを話すと、老人は手を貸すと約束して、首は会議の火の前に吊るされていて、村の首長たちと若者たちが絶えず見張っていると言った。娘は、ただ首を見たいだけで、首の吊るされている小屋の戸口まで行ければそれで満足だと言った。力ずくでは取り戻せないとわかっていたからである。

"Come with me," said the old man, "I will take you there."

「一緒においで」と老人は言った。「連れていってあげよう。」

So they went and took their seats in the lodge near to the door. The council lodge was filled with warriors amusing themselves with games, and constantly keeping up the fire to smoke the head to dry it. As the girl entered the lodge the men saw the features of the head move, and, not knowing what to make of it, one spoke and said--

そこで二人は行って、小屋の戸口の近くに座った。会議の小屋は、遊びに興じる戦士たちでいっぱいで、首を乾かそうと燻すために絶えず火を焚いていた。娘が小屋に入ると、男たちは首の顔が動くのを見て、どう考えればよいかわからず、一人が口を開いて言った——

"Ha! ha! it is beginning to feel the effects of the smoke."

「はっはっ! 煙が効いてきたようだぞ。」

The sister looked up from the seat by the door; her eyes met those of her brother, and tears began to roll down the cheeks of the head.

妹が戸口のそばの席から見上げると、その目が兄の目と合い、首の頬に涙が流れはじめた。

"Well," said the chief, "I thought we would make you do something at last. Look! look at it shedding tears," said he to those around him, and they all laughed and made jokes upon it. The chief, looking around, observed the strange girl, and after some time said to the old man who brought her in--

「ほう」と首長は言った。「とうとうお前に何かさせてやれたな。見ろ! 見ろ、こいつが涙を流しているぞ」と首長はまわりの者に言い、みな笑ってそれを冗談の種にした。首長はあたりを見まわして見慣れない娘に気づき、しばらくして娘を連れてきた老人に言った——

"Who have you got there? I have never seen that woman before in our village."

「そこに連れているのは誰だ。あの女は村で見たことがない。」

"Yes," replied the old man, "you have seen her. She is a relation of mine, and seldom goes out. She stays in my lodge, and she asked me to bring her here."

「いえ」と老人は答えた。「ご覧になったことがあります。わたしの身内で、めったに出歩かないのです。わたしの小屋にいて、ここへ連れてきてくれと頼んだのです。」

In the centre of the lodge sat one of those young men who are always forward, and fond of boasting and displaying themselves before others.

小屋のまんなかに、いつも出しゃばって、人前で自慢したり見せびらかしたりするのが好きな若者の一人が座っていた。

"Why," said he, "I have seen her often, and it is to his lodge I go almost every night to court her."

「いや」とその若者は言った。「その女ならよく見かけるよ。おれはほとんど毎晩、その女に言い寄りに、あのじいさんの小屋へ行っているのさ。」

All the others laughed and continued their games. The young man did not know he was telling a lie to the girl's advantage, who by means of it escaped.

ほかの者はみな笑って遊びを続けた。若者は、自分が娘の得になる嘘をついたとは知らなかった。娘はそのおかげで逃れることができたのである。

She returned to the old man's lodge, and immediately set out for her own country. Coming to the spot where the bodies of her adopted brothers lay, she placed them together with their feet towards the east. Then taking an axe she had she cast it up into the air, crying out--

娘は老人の小屋に戻り、すぐに自分の国へ向けて出発した。義兄弟たちの亡骸の横たわる場所に来ると、娘は亡骸を足を東に向けて並べた。それから持っていた斧を宙に放り上げて叫んだ——

"Brothers, get up from under it or it will fall on you!"

「兄さんたち、その下から起きて。さもないと上に落ちてくるわ!」

This she repeated three times, and the third time all the brothers rose and stood on their feet. Mudjikewis commenced rubbing his eyes and stretching himself.

娘がこれを三度繰り返すと、三度目に兄弟たちはみな起き上がって足で立った。ムジケウィスは目をこすって伸びをしはじめた。

"Why," said he, "I have overslept myself."

「おや」とムジケウィスは言った。「寝過ごしてしまった。」

"No, indeed," said one of the others. "Do you not know we were all killed, and that it is our sister who has brought us to life?"

「とんでもない」とほかの一人が言った。「おれたちはみな殺されて、妹が生き返らせてくれたのがわからないのか。」

The brothers then took the bodies of their enemies and burned them. Soon after the girl went to a far country, they knew not where, to procure wives for them, and she returned with the women, whom she gave to the young men, beginning with the eldest. Mudjikewis stepped to and fro, uneasy lest he should not get the one he liked, but he was not disappointed, for she fell to his lot; and the two were well matched, for she was a female magician.

それから兄弟たちは敵の亡骸を取って焼いた。まもなく娘は、兄弟たちの妻を迎えるために、兄弟たちの知らない遠い国へ出かけていき、女たちを連れて戻ってきて、いちばん上の兄から順に若者たちに与えた。ムジケウィスは、気に入った女をもらえないのではないかと落ち着かずに行ったり来たりしていたが、がっかりすることはなかった。その女がムジケウィスの番に回ってきたのである。そして二人はよく釣り合っていた。女は魔法使いだったからである。

The young men and their wives all moved into a very large lodge, and their sister told them that one of the women must go in turns every night to try and recover the head of her brother, untying the knots by which it was hung up in the council lodge. The women all said they would go with pleasure. The eldest made the first attempt. With a rushing noise she disappeared through the air.

若者たちとその妻たちはみなたいそう大きな小屋に移り住んだ。妹は兄弟たちに、女たちの一人が毎晩交代で出かけて、会議の小屋に首を吊るしている結び目を解いて、兄の首を取り戻そうとしなければならないと言った。女たちはみな喜んで行くと言った。いちばん上の兄の妻がまず試みた。女はびゅうという音を立てて宙を飛んで姿を消した。

Towards daylight she returned. She had failed, having only succeeded in untying one of the knots. All the women save the youngest went in turn, and each one succeeded in untying only one knot each time. At length the youngest went. As soon as she arrived at the lodge she went to work. The smoke from the fire in the lodge had not ascended for ten nights. It now filled the place and drove all the men out. The girl was alone, and she carried off the head.

夜明け近くに女は戻ってきた。女はしくじっていて、結び目をひとつ解けただけだった。いちばん若い女のほかはみな順に出かけ、それぞれ一度にひとつずつしか結び目を解けなかった。とうとういちばん若い女が出かけた。女は小屋に着くやいなや仕事に取りかかった。小屋の火の煙は十夜のあいだ立ちのぼっていなかった。今それが小屋に満ちて、男たちをみな追い出した。女は一人になり、首を持ち去った。

The brothers and Iamo's sister heard the young woman coming high through the air, and they heard her say--

兄弟たちとイアモの妹は、若い女が空高くやって来る音を聞き、女がこう言うのを聞いた——

"Prepare the body of our brother."

「わたしたちの兄の体の支度をして。」

As soon as they heard that they went to where Iamo's body lay, and, having got it ready, as soon as the young woman arrived with the head they placed it to the body, and Iamo was restored in all his former manliness and beauty. All rejoiced in the happy termination of their troubles, and when they had spent some time joyfully together, Iamo said--

それを聞くやいなや、みなはイアモの体の横たわっている場所へ行き、支度を整えた。若い女が首を持って着くやいなや、みなは首を体につけた。するとイアモは以前の男らしさと美しさをすっかり取り戻してよみがえった。みな苦難が幸せに終わったことを喜び、しばらく一緒に楽しく過ごしてから、イアモは言った——

"Now I will divide the treasure," and taking the bear's belt he commenced dividing what it contained amongst the brothers, beginning with the eldest. The youngest brother, however, got the most splendid part of the spoil, for the bottom of the belt held what was richest and rarest.

「さあ、宝を分けよう。」そしてイアモは熊の帯を取って、そのなかに入っているものを、いちばん上の兄から順に兄弟たちに分けはじめた。けれどもいちばん下の弟がいちばん見事な分け前を得た。帯の底にはいちばん豊かで珍しいものが入っていたからである。

Then Iamo told them that, since they had all died and been restored to life again, they were no longer mortals but spirits, and he assigned to each of them a station in the invisible world. Only Mudjikewis' place was, however, named. He was to direct the west wind. The brothers were commanded, as they had it in their power, to do good to the inhabitants of the earth, and to give all things with a liberal hand.

それからイアモは兄弟たちに、みな一度死んでまた生き返ったのだから、もう死すべき者ではなく霊なのだと告げ、一人ひとりに見えない世界での持ち場を割り当てた。けれども名を挙げられたのはムジケウィスの持ち場だけだった。ムジケウィスは西風を司ることになった。兄弟たちは、その力があるのだから、大地に住む者たちに善を施し、あらゆるものを気前よく与えるよう命じられた。

The spirits then, amid songs and shouts, took their flight to their respective places, while Iamo and his sister, Iamoqua, descended into the depths below.

それから霊たちは、歌と叫びのなかをそれぞれの持ち場へ飛んでいき、イアモとその妹イアモクワは、下の深みへと降りていった。