a-muck was a ferocious whale supposed to have lived
at Hell's Gate, and to have swallowed Indians and their canoes. The
whale was killed by the aid of Quawteaht.
Kah-oots was supposed to be one of the deities of Seshaht mythology.
Tsa-a-toos,--(Copper Island) is a large island situated in
Barkley Sound and near to the entrance to the Alberni Canal.
Toosh-ko, Hy-wach-es, Wak-ah-nit, (Copper Mountain) Tin-nim-ah, and
Klu-quilth-koose (now known as Coos Creek) are place names on the
Alberni Canal.
U-ah-tee--the north wind, Yuk-stees--the south wind.
O-lil-lie and Il-la-hie, are Chinook for berries and land
or country respectively.
Ah-tooch is the Indian name for deer.
Lup-se-kup-se or Nooh-see-cupis, is a small piece of cleared land
on the left bank of the Tsomass river and about half way between the
towns of Port Alberni and Alberni.
Kleet-sa, is a high mountain rising from the waters of Taylor Arm,
Sproat Lake, so named because of its white or chalky appearance.
Kuth-kah-chulth, is the Indian name for Mount Arrowsmith, a
splendid peak rising directly east of the town of Port Alberni. Mount
Arrowsmith is one of the highest mountains of Vancouver Island; it is
5976 feet in elevation.
Toh-a-muk-is, is the land fronting on the little bay just north
of the foot of Argyle Street, Port Alberni.
Kok-a-mah-kook, is a place close to the stream known as Dry Creek,
and near to the railway round house, Port Alberni.
Kwa-nis, Kam-mass or Gam-mas as it is variously known, is a species
of lily which comes into flower about the middle of April and remains
in flower till June. It is gathered, roasted and preserved whole in
bags for winter use.
THE FINDING OF THE TSOMASS
Near thirty miles from where Alberni pours her crystal stream out to
the mighty fjord that cleaves Vancouver's Island nigh in twain, a
tribe of Indians lived. Their village nestled at the foot of wooded
hills, which everywhere on this indented coastline, rise straight up
from out the North Pacific. They were a powerful tribe, E-coulth-aht
by name; seven hundred strong, with many fighting men, and many
children who played upon that shore. I think even now I hear the echo
of their voices round the bay, and how marvelously clear an echo may
be, among the inlets of that rockbound coast! I have heard my call
flung back from side to side alternately, till it was lost among the
rocky heights and ceased to be.
Across the bay from where the In
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