58 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

the affair, and so many differences of opinion are voiced that
it is often difficult to understand how the ritual can be carried
out as smoothly as it is. The masks are tried on, adjustments
in the rope fastenings made, and final selection of the wearers
approved. In fact, the summoning of the kukuszut is regarded
by them as an invitation to try on the masks and it is said that
the herald sometimes calls them with a cryptic:

“Measure your heads, kukusiaot,” the significance of which
the uninitiated fail to grasp.

At last those who are to wear the masks are chosen. They
conceal themselves in one of the two matting shelters, while
the other is full of those kukusiut who have prerogatives as
Cannibals, Scratchers, or Breakers. It is these who are most
feared by the uninitiated, and if a slight accident should take
place they rush forth suddenly, frightening the non-members to
such an extent that they fail to notice a mistake which would
otherwise expose the mystery of the rites.

Meanwhile 4no%ikwotsaix at intervals sticks her head
around the corner of the door to mock the uninitiated.

“You stupid ones!” she gibes. “‘You and you [naming two
uninitiated] almost found my repository. You came so close
to me that I put out my stick and tripped you up. [A safe
statement since everyone stumbles over half-buried roots some
time or another.] You were so blind that you did not see me.
Look where you are going, keep your eyes open, and then you
will become a kusiut, instead of remaining a nonentity.”

The uninitiated, sick at heart over the missed opportunity,
resolve to be more alert in future. Difficult though it is for
the white man to understand such credulity, yet different el-
derly informants repeatedly recalled the chagrin with which
they had listened to such remarks when young. Childhood
impressions of respect and fear are too deeply ingrained for
doubt to enter.

At last all is ready and one of the marshals tells a kusiut to
open the door and call the non-members. In they rush, to
stand near the door and gaze upon the marvels with which X