Page:Myths and Legends of British North America.djvu/119

 ORIGIN OF THE CHINOOK WIND

Shuswap

OX and Hare were brothers. They lived together with many other people. This was in the days of the grandfathers when there was no fire and the earth was very cold. The Cold People of the north delighted in making icy winds sweep down over the Indian country. The people shivered, shivered always.

One morning Fox smoked his pipe and muttered, "Last night I dreamed. I gained much knowledge."

When Fox had finished smoking, he said to the people, "The People of the Cold have had power over us for a long time. Do you like the cold?"

The Indians at once said, "No. We hate the cold; but we do not know what to do."

After a while Fox said to Hare, "Come with me. We will find warm weather."

Now Fox and Hare were great warriors. They took their bows and arrows and traveled south many days. They reached the mouths of the large rivers where dwelt the People of the Heat. They owned all the