68 Snapshots from the North Pacvfe.

front a monolith of great size, concerning which the strangest
tales are told.

“The floor of his house covers 3,600 square feet, a space
without a post or pillar within the walls to support the low-
pitched split-cedar roof. The floor is of solid cedar. In
the midst is the sand-strewn hearth, from which the smoke
ascends and escapes by the central aperture above it. The
daylight is dim within on the brightest day. Therein no
books vexed or delighted the generations past. Could they
declare it, what a strange history would these smoke-stained
walls recount! Had I the time I could put on record and
rescue from oblivion many an oft-recited tradition there that
would please the lovers of ancient things—things that would
have been old to Abram among the Chaldeans. But I have
something new and true to tell, better than all the strange
tales of old.

“The summer toil and autumn peril are past. The furs
are sold. The winter’s provision laid in. All, or nearly all,
of this most numerous tribe are at home. Last Sunday the
church was too small, though the standing room was
thronged. On Tuesday the chief invited all the adult males
to meet him. His secret. was well kept. The many thought
Tey the meeting was to be assembled to discuss the plans for
a | winter. As daylight faded they gathered at the chief's

| ereat house. <A large stack of fuel betokened a long discus-
sion. A pile of logs was on the hearth, and over them oil
was ladled now and again. Up shoot the brilliant tongues of
fire, which cast a dark shadow behind each illuminated face.
The flames leap aloft as the crowd increases—a wondering
crowd. There is Sheuksh, arrayed in a _ scarlet robe,
bedeeked with mother-of-pearl and curious embroideries, and
seated alone on a low kind of settle ; his people on the other
three sides of the great square, awaiting the opening of the
Parliament. Christians are mingled with the unbaptized.
Nearer than the rest to the chief are seated six of his leading
men—his faithful supporters in vainly resisting the progress
of the Gospel. These were declared enemies of the Church.

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