k'Gubns

[David Robertson]

I'm idly curious about Theodore Winthrop's horse.  One of them, that is; 
actually its name.  

Toward the beginning of "Canoe and Saddle" he tells of naming this 
animal "Gubbins"--which I take to be a reference to the marauding gang / 
family in England a few centuries ago.  

But later, like on pages 181 and 189 of the Binfords & Mort "Nisqually 
edition" (no date in the copy I'm reading), he starts referring 
to "k'Gubns".  This seems to be in connection with a man named Ferdinand / 
Fudnun, whom Winthrop makes fun of for pretending to be white.  (Actually 
I haven't read this far ahead in the book, only skimmed, so I may be 
missing a detail or two about Ferdinand.)  

Is the spelling "k'Gubns" meant to convey a Native person's pronunciation, 
and if so, what does the k'G stand for?  A popped / ejective "k", maybe?  

I know a number of you have read this book, so you might be able to 
provide some insights.  

Thanks,

--Dave R




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