224 THE BIG CANOE

they beheld such a set of small perfect doll masks!

Before the last mask was tied in place, the Haida
chief had made up his mind to purchase the two
young slaves in order to gain possession of the Talk-
ing Doll. Famous would such a doll be among all
the islands of the Haidas—a doll that had once been
carried in Thaimshim’s basket, a sacred doll that
had been brought from Thaimshim’s home in that
beautiful sunny land across the sea!

The excited twins saw him nod to the princess;
heard him send for the Niska attendant who was
waiting outside. Without speaking, they glanced at
each other with shining eyes and smiling lips, think-
ing the same thoughts, as twins so often do. From
his seat on a piece of matting beside the fire, Kona
reached up and took Oala’s hand, pressing her fingers
between his. It was as if he said: “It is all arranged,
Oala. We are going to live among the Haidas.”
Oala, smiling happily, pressed his hand in return,
and Kona knew that the joy in her heart was as
great as his.

Alas! They had reckoned without the relative of
the Niska chief! He was clever and his eyes were
keen. He saw the eagerness of the chief’s household,
and he knew that for some reason these people were
anxious to buy the twin slaves. He did not dream
that the small wooden doll Oala held in her hands
had anything to do with the matter. He did not