Stories of the Cahto Tribe
Coyote and the Gambler
Line-by-line Translation (within the limits of English readability)
by Bill Ray (Daatcaahaal-kwaatc'ileeh) - 1909
He won arrows from him, they say.
He won a bow from him, they say.
He won rope from him, they say.
He won beads from him, they say.
He won a skin pouch from him, they say.
He won a head net from him, they say.
He played the Grass Game.
I bet my wife.
I bet my house, he said, they say.
I won! I won it! I won! I won it!
He won back his wife, they say.
He won back his house, they say.
He won back all of every kind of thing, they say.
He won back arrows, rope, a bow, a quiver, beads, a head net, everything, they say.
That is all
Translation Summary
by Professor Pliny Earle Goddard - 1909
He won his arrows, and then his bow, and a quantity of rope. Finally he won his beads and net-headdress. Coyote cut fresh grass for the game. "I bet my wife," he said, "and my house."
"I win, I win, I win," Coyote sang.
He won his wife and house. He won all the various things he had lost. His arrows, rope, bow, quiver, beads, and net-headdress, he won back.
That is all.
(Based on Cahto oral traditions and beliefs)
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