14 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

part of the last century it has become customary to explain the
dropping of a mask as due to a sudden call to the bearer.

Another means by which the kukuszut protect themselves
from doubting non-members is by the use of spies. The mar-
shals (II, p. 16) of the society select some intelligent youth and
ask the consent of his father, or other guardian, to make him
a spy. If this is granted, the youth is lured into the woods
and carried forcibly to the sacred meeting-place, where he finds
the senior kukusiut of his village seated, an awe-inspiring band.
They explain to him the deceits used, show him the whistles and
other equipment, and instruct him that it is his duty to inform
them if he hears any uninitiated person casting doubts on the
rites of the society. Proud of his trust, and fearful of what
would happen should he fail to carry out his duties, the spy
begins his work. Ignorant of his knowledge, the uninitiated
have no hesitation in talking with him and if he hears one of
them expressing doubts as to the powers of the society, or
telling that he has seen the sacred meeting-place or some of the
regalia, he at once notifies one of the marshals. The over-
confident person is then initiated. Thus the kukustut are
constantly recruiting their strength from the most intelligent
uninitiated, thereby adding to the influence of their society
and lessening the dangers from non-members.

Sometimes a man is forced to undertake the task on ac-
count of too great knowledge of kusiut matters. The following
incident, related by a spy, is worth recording as a concrete
example of this point:

Between 1870 and 1880, a Rivers Inlet Cannibal performed the
Cannibal dance in Bella Coola, presumably being entitled to do so by a
Bella Coola name and prerogative. During his period of seclusion he died
from a sudden hemorrhage, and the uninitiated were told that he had
been carried away to the mysterious regions of the sky, the customary
explanation in such circumstances. Soon afterwards some Bella Coola
returned from Victoria, and an old woman told them the news, ignorant
of the fact that an uninitiated lad of fifteen had entered the house and was

listening eagerly. A careless movement betrayed his presence to the
horrified kukusiut and the boy fled, terrified at the turn of events.