Isis, the son of Látkakáwas, is the son of Kumush because Kumush has
the disk, and the disk is Isis’ father. The Indians do not know the
meaning of the word Isis—or Áisis, as pronounced by some of the
Modocs—or of Látkakáwas.—These names occur only in the myths connected
with the disk.—Isis is the greatest hunter and the greatest runner in
the world. He has long, bright red hair. When he builds a fire the
smoke from it goes straight up; it does not scatter, or waver. Isis has
some of the attributes of his father, the sun.
Kumush personates Isis and deceives Yaulilik’s elder daughter. In
mythology one character frequently personates another.—There is an
example of this in Wintu: Klakherrit (Lightning) personates Pitis
(Quail), deceives Pitis’ family, and kills every member of it.
In Indian myths, whenever two sisters are sent to some place and warned
by father or mother against a deceiver, who is likely to meet them on
the way, the elder sister is generally ready to become a victim, the
younger is the wise one.
Cogátkis is an interesting character; like Samson, his strength was in
his hair. Through the power of his hair, he could see at a great
distance, and he could talk to his mother though she was far away.
I have never found a myth in which the method of taking life is similar
to that described in this myth. Isis had two children; the elder died;
he took the younger in his arms, put the top of its head to his mouth
and drew a long breath, drew the child’s breath, its life, into
himself. He said to his wives, “The children are half mine, and half
yours. I have taken their breath into myself; you may have their
bodies.”
In an Algonkin myth a character similar to Látkakáwas is the “Earth
maiden.” The Sun looks at her and she brings forth a daughter, who
becomes the mother of a great hero.