Peter J. Newell
Pleasant Point, Maine
1897
Source: Albert S. Gatschet, Passamaquoddy field notes 1889–99, vol. 3, pp. 369–76. ms 233, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Retranscription and retranslation prepared by Philip S. LeSourd in consultation with David A. Francis, Sr., of Pleasant Point and Wayne A. Newell of Indian Township. Line (a): Gatschet’s transcription, with (portions of) his glosses. Line (b): proposed new transcription and translation.
sihkimùs – low bush cranberry
1. a. <Si’hki´mus. />
b. Sihkimùs.
‘Sihkimus (Low Bush Cranberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus, here a name).’
2. a. <Wi´git nda´t’huχka´gĕn Si’hki´mûs. />
“my narrative about Si’hkimûs.”
b. Wíkit ntathuhkákon Sihkimùs.
‘The subject of my story, Sihkimus, lived here.’
3. a. <Ni´swuk skinu’hsi´sĕk mädshiemi´-u / kĕduntki´-ĕk .>
“Two boys all the time were hunting”
b. Nísŭwok skinuhsísok mecimìw kotunkíyok.
‘Two boys were always hunting.’
4. a. <keduntke´tit mĕskĕmnía / hû´tän.>
“two were hunting found a town, village.”
b. Kotunkéhtit, moskomŏníya utèn.
‘As they were hunting, they came across a village.’
5. a. <Wi’hkwä´’hlan ke´git>
“Taken (as prisoners) on day”
b. Wihqéhlân ’kekìw.
‘They were taken and held all day.’
6. a. <wespasakî´wik / sûksakwa-an pieskĕ´mĕnĕl />
“next (morning, day) they cooked [the vic]tuals Indian corn.”
b. Wespasahkíwik suksahqáhân piyeskómŏnol.
‘In the morning, corn (soup) was cooked for them.’
7. a. <ya´ha / nadship’han>
“go and tell them go after them”
b. “Yahàn, naciphàn.”
‘“Tell them; go and get them.”’
8. a. <pe´dship’hût ya´han kui´k- / hûbalte´bĕn>
“when they bring tell them (eat) / the two were eating’
b. Peciphùt yáhân, “Kwiqhopaltìpon.”
‘When they were brought, they were told, “We are feasting together.”’
9. a. <ni´tä madshä´phan wiku-/-wa´muk.>
then, take them (the people of the town) to the camp.”
b. Nìt-te macéphân wikŭwámok.
‘Then they were taken to a lodge.’
10. a. <Ya´ha mitsulte´bĕn>
“tell them to eat”
b. Yáhân, “Kmitsultìpon.”
‘They were told, “We are all eating.”’
11. a. <pe´sk8s / skinû´ksis wi’hkwe´’hlan gatkû´kĕl / na´ga tû´dshiu
“one boy take (the pot) pot, kettle and then
kutu´’hsmen pie´skamĕnĕnĕl. />
“drink (what was in the pot) the corn (-soup)
b. Péskuhs skinúhsis wihqéhlan katkúhkol, naka tucìw ’qotúhsŏmin piyeskómŏnol.
‘One of the boys picked up the pot, and right away he drank the corn soup.’
12. a. <Ne´ka’hlāt kwasa´’hkan>
“when through with throw away (the pot)”
b. Nekkahlàt ’qasáhkan.
‘When he had drunk everything in (the pot), he threw it away.’
13. a. <nutep’hua´nia / siwe´ssĕl>
“run ye away (both boys) his brother o. & younger”
b. Nutephuwánĭya ’siwéhsol.
‘He ran out with his brother.’
14. a. <ma´lamde be´tka-udūk mus-/sumswal Si’hki´mûs .>
“then afterwards they arrived there to grand-/fathers home to Si’hkimus”
b. Malom=ŏte petkawŏtúwok muhsumsuwàhk Sihkimùs.
‘Finally they arrived at the home of their grandfather Sihkimus.’
15. a. <Tiugû´nia
gwänessis-/tuk kilwahu´na dä´mĕnuk kpä´dshi>
“They told them the grand-/children to them you to go by and by, when they come”
<wik-/wa´mkum käba.>
“into the camp (subj. mooses)”
b. ’Tiyukúnĭya, “Qenossistúk, kilŭwàw=ŏna témŏnuk kpeci-wikŭwamkomképa.
‘He told them, “Grandchildren, you will soon have visitors.’
16. a. <winpa´sik>
“hurry up (two)”
b. ‘“Winpásiq.
‘“Get to work.
17. a. <kedû´ntkäk8 mû´suk .>
“those who hunt the mooses.”
b. ‘“Kotúnkeq músŭwok.
‘“Hunt moose.
18. a. <Na´ga / ksukskitaha´nia ksuksakwaha´nia wetchku-/ ya´shik>
“Then / cut the meat up for them cooked for them who are / coming (who come)”
b. “Naka ksoqskihtahánĭya, ksukahqahánĭya weckuwyácik.
‘“And cut them up, cook them for those who are coming.
19. a. <nitu´dshiu pe´dshia´tit .>
“at a certain time they are arriving (dual or 3)”
b. “Nìt tucìw peciyáhtit.
‘“They will be arriving right away.
20. a. <Ni´detch / gessi´ti>
“Do this what I told you ,”
b. “Nìt=oc kehsíhtit.
‘“Then there will be many of them.
21. a. <ni´tĕna ktulloka´nia>
“do this do this (2-3 of you)”
b. “Nìt=ŏna ktolluhkánĭya.
‘“Now do this.
22. a. <ktchiksĕdue´nia / tanieho´lep>
“mind me / what I tell you
them”
b. “Kciksotŭwínĭya tàn yuhúleq.”
‘“Pay attention to what I have told you.”’
23. a. <wespasake´wik tiugo´nia / mussumsu´wal kwenesi´stuk kistchkû´hä. />
“in the morning tell them their grandfather to his grandfather they are coming /”
b. Wespasahkíwik ’tiyukúnĭya muhsumsúwal, “Qenossistúk, kìs ckúwhe.
‘The next morning, their grandfather told them, “Grandchildren, he (the enemy) is already coming.
24. a. <Winpa´sik8>
‘Hurry up
b. “Winpásiq.
‘“Get to work.
25. a. <tchuigi´stetch mitchua´gĕn>
“get ready grub, victuals”
b. “Cuwi-kíste=hc micŭwákon.
‘“The food will have to be ready.
26. a. <Ke´ga / sak’hi´e>
“almost / coming, in sight”
b. “Kéka sakhíye.”
‘“He has almost come into sight.”’
27. a. <ni´tä kistäk mitchua´gĕn />
“get ready the food”
b. Nìt=te kístek micŭwákon.
‘Then the food was ready.’
28. a. <Nitä’hna sak’hi´an>
“Just then coming in sight”
b. Nìt=teh=na sakhíyan.
‘Just then, too, he arrived.’
29. a. <naninske´ksu-uk pädshi-/ ha´dshik>
“fifty are coming”
b. Nanìnsk kéhsŭwok pecihácik.
‘There were fifty who came.’
30. a. <kisenagi´stä mitchua´gĕn>
“all ready for them the grub”
b. Kìs=ŏna kíste micŭwákon.
‘Already the food was prepared.’
31. a. <nitä / umit∫ultänia>
“then / ready to eat, to begin to eat,”
b. Nìt=te wmitsultínĭya.
‘Then they all ate.’
32. a. <ktau´kumus ti´an : “kwe´nĕsis tuk / tanetu´dshi kisipulte´tit kpitsna´lan
“old man told them grand- children
/ when after eating loaded the pipe with tobacco”
<kutema´gĕn />
“your tobacco pipe /”
b. Ktaqhómuhs ’tiyàn, “Qenossistúk, tàn etuci-kisihpultíhtit, kpitsonálan kutŏmákon.
‘The old man said, “Grandchildren, as soon as they have eaten, one of you should fill your pipe with tobacco.”’
33. a. <nil nutema´gĕn tĕmhi´gĕni=pa´kĕn ,>
“my pipe hatchet-pipe”
b. “Nìl nutŏmákon tŏmhikŏnihpákon.”
‘“My pipe is a hatchet-pipe.”’
34. a. <Nita / kisi u’htĕmhade´te ya´han säpa´-unuk nâdshi- / nĕmi-inän ha´ptch.>
“Then after they has have
smoked, tell them to-morrow to come to see us again”
b. Nita. Kisi-wtomhotíhtit, yahân “Sepáwŏnuk knaci-nŏmihinèn àpc.”
‘Well! When they had all smoked, (the boys) were told, “Tomorrow, come and see us again.”’
35. a. <säpa´-unuk pätka-ude´bĕn />
“to-morrow My we are
coming /”
b. “Sepáwŏnuk npetkawŏtìpon.”
‘“Tomorrow we are coming.”’
36. a. <Wespasake´wik mädshaka-ude´nia udä´nek; />
“In the morning (the 2 boys) started to the village or encampment”
b. Wespasahkíwik macehkawŏtínĭya utének.
‘The next morning they set out for the village.’
37. a. <nämat pätka-ude´tit kîsatchu´wi-u mitchu-/ wa´gĕn ;>
“when there they arrived all
(v.) were ready victuals”
b. Nemàht petkawŏtíhtit, kisacŭwìw micŭwákon.
‘When they reached their destination, food was ready.’
38. a. <ni´tä mitsulte´nia ,>
“there / ready for eating ,”
b. Nìt=te mitsultínĭya.
‘Then they all ate.’
39. a. <kisepulte´tit nitä / pitsnäwan mkwa´χsĕn>
“after eating ready to load a pipe red pipe stone (supply : tĕma´gĕn)”
b. Kisihpultíhtit, nìt=te pitsonéwân mqáhson.
‘When they had all smoked, the catlinite pipe was filled for them (the boys).”
40. a. <nitä ku´tsĕnman />
“give (the pipe) / (said by the townspeople)”
b. Nìt=te kutsónŏmân.
‘Then the pipe was given to them.’
41. a. <nitä hû´dĕman>
“ready to smoke”
b. Nìt=te útŏman.
‘Then one of them smoked.’
42. a. <kisu-u´’htĕmat nitä nĕska´-/ wan .>
“finished smoking ready for singing”
b. Kisi-wtómat, nìt=te noskáwan.
‘As soon as he had smoked, the greeting dance was begun.’
43. a. <Ni´da ti´han nî´-îlun madshäka-/ ude´bĕn ni´gĕnuk>
“we are Ready told him you and I to start out (we two) to his home,”
b Níta. ’Tihàn, “Nilùn nmacehkawŏtìpon níkŏnuk.”
‘Well! He told them, “We are leaving for our home.”’
44. a. <yahan ka´dama madshe-u’hsäbĕn>
“told them not to be stopping, not to go”
b. Yáhân, “Katáma kmacewsé[hpa].”
‘They were told, “You are not leaving.”’
45. a. <Hantkäyu´-ak>
“to Take care (of the boys)”
b. Ankeyúwâk.
‘They were taken care of.’
46. a. <be´sku’hs kwisinûdä (-da´ha) />
‘one (boy) got out, went on his / way (to gr.)”
b. Peskuhs ’qisi-nutáhan.
‘One of them was able to get out.’
47. a. <ma´dshahan u’hkĕmĕ´sk Munimkwe´ss />
“going, starting to (his) grandmother’s the Woodchuck”
b. Macáhan uhkŏmòsk Munimqèhs.
‘He set out for his grandmother Woodchuck’s home.’
48. a. <tukue´dshi mû´lan ukĕmĕ´ssu(l), ti´han / ta´ntulu´kane
“Try (imperat.) told his
grandmother told her what he was going to do,
we´dshi ki´si madshe´’hka-ulti´-ek />
“in or- der to how to get out of this place (said by two)”
b. ’Toqecimúlan uhkŏmóssol, ’tíhan, “Tàn ntolluhkanèn weci-kisi-macehkawŏtíyek?”
‘He questioned his grandmother; he asked her, “What do we do so that we can get away?”’
49. a. <ti´han kwe´nessis : kmi´llĕn wuluge´hs />
“she told the gdchildren (the other was locked up): I will give you green hide string (cut from a raw hide)’
b. ’Tíhan, “Qenossís, kmíllon wŏlukèhs.”’
‘She told him, ‘Grandchild, I will give you a rawhide string.”’
50. a. <ti´han
yutu u´lugess kĕtsia´kan>
“she said, this g.h.st’g you have to throw it into fire”
b. ’Tíhan, “Yùt wŏlukèhs kotsiyáhkan.
‘She told him, “Throw this rawhide string into the fire.”
51. a. <tekuaps-/kessik ka´detch kĕ|nemiugäpa ta´n e´lkwi- / -ka-udi´ek8>
“When the hide is curling up, be ready for start’g & nobody will see where you go.”
b. “Petqapskéssok, kàt=oc knomihukéhpa tàn elŏqihkawŏtíyeq.
“When it curls up, no one will see which way you two go.
52. a. <ta´nedūdshi ptukuapske´ssik wuluge´s / nitechĕna ki´luau madshaha´nia .>
“whenever when it is curled hide be ready ye (two) to go away”
b. “Tàn etuci-ptoqapskéssok wŏlukèhs, nìt=te=hc=ŏna kilŭwàw kmacahánĭya.”
‘“Just as soon as the rawhide string curls up, you two should head out.”’
53. a. <Nämat / petka-ude´te mu’hsumsĕk Sekie´mnĕs , ti´han /
“When they had returned home to grandfather he told
kwenessi´stuk nsawa´tĕmuk>
“his grandchildren take care of your-/self (be on yr guard)”
[Note on name: <or Sikimĕlĕs ? Sik’imus, (really a bush.)>]
b. Nemàht petkawŏtíhtit muhsums[uwàh]k Sihkiminimùs, ’tihàn, “Qenossistúk, nsawátŏmuk.
‘When they arrived at their grandfather Sihkimus’s home, he told them, “Grandchildren, be careful.
54. a. <getunlĕgä´ba / kĕti´ näpuhugäba>
“they will (try to) kill to be
killed / you them
b. “Kotunŏloképa, koti-nehpuhuképa.
‘“They will be out to get you; they will want to kill you.
55. a. <mädshimi´-u ktaskuase´nia />
“all the time get ready / waiting for them”
b. “Mecimìw ktaskuwasínĭya.”
‘“Always be on guard.”’
56. a. <welagwi´wik madabe-uχsa´nia kuspämĕk />
“in the evening let us go down to the lake”
b. Welaqíwik motapewsánĭya kuspémok.
‘In the evening they went down to the lake.’
57. a. <helapi´tit wetchkwa|basi´sik>
“looking way up coming toward them they saw”
b. Elapíhtit weckuwapasícik.
‘As they looked out, here came a large group.’
58. a. <na´skana-uhsu />
“many of them gathered up”
b. Naskanáqsu.
‘He (Sihkimus) looked discouraged.’
59. a. <utiogo´nia kwenessi´stuk : “widshukämsik8 />
“She He told (the boys) his
/ her grandchildren ‘help yourself’”
b. Wtiyukúnĭya, “Qenossistúk, wicuhkémsiq.
‘He told them, “Grandchildren, help yourselves.”’
60. a. <ta’tabi´wak migaka´nia>
“with bow and arrows battle, fight them / each of you (two subjects)”
b. “Ktahtapíwak kmikahkánĭya.”
‘“Fight with your bows.”’
61. a. <nidädlipnĕsîtit />
“ready
to fight alone / (dual) right there”
b. Nìt etŏlihpŏnosíhtit.
‘They fought there.’
62. a. <ma´lămdä kägantki´hä>
‘finally almost sundown’
b. Malom=ŏte kéka nkíhe.
‘Finally it was almost sundown.’
63. a. <miauχtälwan />
“wounded, shot”
b. Miyawtélŭwân.
‘He (Sihkimus) was wounded.’
64. a. <häpmälwat hälnamte´ssĕk su´an . />
“in the side, flank struck (by missle) by arrowhead”
b. Ehpŏmélŭwat elŏnomtéhsok súwan.
‘(The enemy) wounded him in the side when the head of an arrow struck a piercing blow.’
65. a. <Ni´tä hälĕmi ki´pihat Si’hkiamus ,>
“Then when (he) dropped
fell down Si’hkiamus,”
b. Nìt=te elŏmi-kipíhat Sihkimùs.
‘Then Sihkimus fell forward.’
66. a. <näpahan>
“he died”
b. Nehpáhân.
‘He was killed.’
65. a. <Mätabä´ksit.>
“The end (of the story).”
b. Mehtapéksit.
‘That is the end of his story.’
66. [Added at the bottom of the page]
a. <nitä me´tchie ndat’huχka´gĕn>
“there ends the story”
b. Nìt=te mehcíye ntathukákon.
‘There ends my story.’