Further Adventures of Eut-le-ten

The Trial by Fire

Then Eut-le-ten stood within the fire.

Then Nas-nas-shup gathered many sticks of wood and built a fire so blazing hot that none could bear the heat, and turned to Eut-le-ten, "Stand in the fire that I may see if you are brave and strong enough to be worthy of her, my daughter."

So Eut-le-ten stood within the fire, and with the charms provided him by the old squaws, reduced the heat, and came thereout alive and none the worse.

Now Nas-nas-shup proposed that they should seek some firewood upon the steep hill-side close by. Eut-le-ten consented, and next morning they went to gather firewood. While thus engaged Nas-nas-shup rolled a giant log down the steep hill toward Eut-le-ten, who never moved or sought to escape. The log rolled over him, but once again he turned into the pool of tears and sprang to life when danger passed away. Thereat the chief became convinced that he was more than mortal man, and gave his leave.

Thus Eut-le-ten was wed, and lived sometime within the higher realms, until one day he thought to visit those he left below. Then down the rope of arrow shafts he climbed, until he found himself upon the earth among his people, and to them he told wonderful things of the world above.

Astronomy According to Eut-le-ten

The sun and moon emerge from out the house of Nas-nas-shup. The giant codfish guarding the entrance to the house, attempts to catch them passing. He often fails, but there are times when he succeeds, then there is darkness – an eclipse of the sun or moon the white men say, but that is false, it is the cod. The many stars which sparkle in the skies are Indians, who dwell above the earth. Such things and many more were told by him, and Eut-le-ten was counted as a chief more learned than any that had ever been.