Horse rig story

[David Robertson]

>From a letter written by a Shuswap person around 1895.  He's describing 
something he's very ashamed of.  It's a vivid scene.  You should be able to 
find most of these words in any Chinook dictionary you're using, with a bit 
of work.  Any questions?

"Naika klatwa kopa wihat.
I GO ON ROAD
I was going along the road.

Naika lolo kyutan rig.
I TAKE HORSE RIG
I was driving a horse rig.

Saia naika koli kopa ukuk rig 
FAR I TRAVEL WITH THIS RIG
I traveled a long way with this rig

pi ukuk kyutan iaka lolo ukuk rig shako salaks. 
AND THIS HORSE HE TAKE RIG BECOME ANGRY
and [then] this horse pulling the rig got mad

Iaka ayu kik kopa ukuk rig. 
HE MUCH KICK AT THIS RIG
He kept kicking at the rig.  

Naika ayu kwash kaksit ukuk rig
I MUCH FEAR BROKEN THIS RIG
I was feeling afraid that the rig was breaking
 
pi naika mash ukuk kyutan kopa rig.
AND I THROW THIS HORSE FROM RIG
and I untied the horse from the rig.

Mitlait aias rup ukuk kyutan kopa iaka nik 
HAVE BIG ROPE THIS HORSE ON HIS NECK
It had a thick rope, this horse, on his neck

pi naika mamuk k’aw iaka kopa kah mit-hwit aias stik.
AND I MAKE TIED HIM TO WHERE STAND BIG TREE
and I tied him where there was a big tree standing.

Pi naika kaksit tanas stik 
AND I BREAK LITTLE STICK
And I broke off a little stick

pi aiak iaka pul bak pi iaka suk
AND QUICKLY HE PULL BACK AND HE SHOOK
and he immediately pulled back and shook

pi aiak iaka mimlus."
AND QUICKLY HE DIE
and died right away.

--Dave R

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