116 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

ence was enough to kill an enemy, as if his spirit had been
driven from his body by a sudden start. Even im recent times
it is said that individuals who have observed ceremonial chas-
tity have been able to perform miraculous feats. A few years
ago a Bella Bella man lost two sons and was trying to get
enough money to buy a tombstone for them. With this in
view, he observed chastity for almost a year. Then he went
seal hunting, and had killed a large number of the animals
when, standing up in his boat, the sail blew against him so
that he was thrown overboard. But he was so strong that he
simply walked on the surface of the water and re-entered his
boat, none the worse for his mishap. The men who cited this
instance stated that a number of Bella Bella had seen the
occurrence and could vouch for it.

Ceremonial chastity is not a matter about which the Bella
Coola are willing to talk. It concerns both their religious and
family life, in neither of which are strangers welcome. But
when an investigator becomes on friendly terms, and gains
some understanding of the inner lives of the people, he begins
to realize its importance. Ceremonial chastity is not only
potent in itself, but it is also the favourite means by which a
man can cleanse himself of the impurities of human existence
so that he finds favour with the supernatural.