THE PRIZE BASKET 133

impossible to believe, but it was true. Kish must be
punished!

“This is your basket, Lana,” he said at last. “Of
that we are all sure. No human being knows as much
about this as Koots’s nose. He has decided this thing
to my satisfaction, but he has ruined the basket for
the trader. However, I have a use for it and will buy
it from you, for I wish it to hang always in my lodge
where Kish will see it day after day and be reminded
of her dishonesty. I can think of no other punishment
more fitting.”

“In payment for this basket, Lana,” he went on,
“TI give you your freedom, because the honor of a
chief is at stake. If you wish to return to your people,
I will send you there; if not, I will adopt you into my
family and you shall live here always among the
Haidas.”

“TI do not want to go back to my people,” Lana
stammered, overcome with happiness. “I would rather
live here at Quasset, where the lodges are warm and

there is always plenty to eat.”

“So be it then,” promised the chief. “No longer are
you a slave in my house. From this day on you shall
live among us as one of my family.”

“And when we grow up I shall marry you, as I have
always planned to do,” Steilta cried laughingly.
“Come, let us find a big piece of halibut for Koots.
He has won your freedom with his clever nose,
Lana.”