140 THE BIG CANOE

face, which is very strange indeed, so that your visitors
shall witness something never before seen by any
Haida.”

“Good,” the chief grunted approvingly. “I should
like to have this potlatch remembered as the greatest
one that has ever been given.”

“Tt shall be remembered as the potlatch of the
dancing bear,” laughed Mr. Williams, handing Skai
a dish of molasses for Tahn.

“You heard what I told the chief,” he said to Skai,
when the chief had gone. “I will make you into a
clown, as I said. Come inside, and I will show you
what I mean.”

In a Hudson’s Bay trading-post in those days were
to be found many strange things which were used
in trading with the Indians, who accepted all sorts
of worthless articles in exchange for their valuable
furs. Second-hand clothing especially was always
eagerly purchased—cast-off trousers and shoes and
coats, fancy vests, dresses, hats, and all sorts of soiled
and wrinkled costumes which had been worn at fancy
balls or in the theaters of England.

After a short search the trader brought forth a
clown’s costume, gorgeous indeed to Skai’s astonished
eyes. One half was red trimmed with yellow circles;
the other half was yellow trimmed with red. Around
the sleeves and ankles were rows of jingle-bells, which
also decorated the peaked shoes and pointed hat.

Skai chuckled with delight when he saw it. He