464 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

knew of a natural hiding-place, capable of defence, to which he led the
way. It was a large cave, opening in a precipice, only to be reached by
climbing a tree which grew close to the cliff, and from its upper branches
crossing on some kind of ladder brought up from below. The fugitives
felled a sapling on which they reached the cave in safety, drawing their
bridge in behind them. The people of X@ trailed them to their lair and
without more ado began the attack. Recklessly they climbed the tree so
that it was an easy matter for A#sidx, from within the cave, to pick off
one after the other with his arrows. At each shot he killed one of the
attackers, but his supply of arrows was exhausted when only about a
quarter of the Xdt warriors had fallen, and the others continued to press
the assault. Fortunately, there were many stones in the cave and by
accurate throwing the Bella Coola were able to keep the attackers at bay.
In fact, before the stones were finished they managed to kill about as
many of their foes as A#¥sidx had done with his arrows. Meanwhile the
X4t people in some way*® had succeeded in felling the tree so that it leaned
against the entrance to the cavern, where they fastened it with ropes,
thus having a comparatively easy means of access to the very mouth of
the shelter. It was acritical moment. A#sidéx rushed forward and cut
the ropes. Then, heedless of the blows that were rained on him, he used
the sapling as a lever against the tree, causing it to sway to and fro until
all the climbers—and they were all the attackers still alive—had been
shaken off. Some were killed instantly by their fall, others were maimed.
Atisiéx swarmed down the tree-trunk and quickly dispatched all who
were still breathing. The Bella Coola scalped their slain enemies and
with their bloody trophies returned to camp.

One of the Xd¢ men, instead of taking part in the attack, had gone to
the Bella Coola camp where he had remained stuffing himself on the meat.
Even when the victors drew near he did not try to run away, lacking the
necessary energy. Adfsidx asked the Xd¢ which scalp was that of the
chief and, when the prisoner had pointed it out to him, he placed it firmly
on the head of the cowardly captive and bade him dance. Amid the
derisive hoots of his captors he was forced to perform while so ornamented,
and meanwhile the conquerors heaped every other possible ignominy on
him. It was A#isidx’s wish that this man should be spared to carry the
word to his home that it was the Bella Coola who had slain the Xét war-
riors. This was done, the victors giving their prisoner enough meat to
enable him to reach his journey’s end; then they too set off for home,
carrying with them abundant stores of smoked goat meat.

Now occurred what the Bella Coola regard as very strange. Alisids

8The account is vague.