250 THE BIG CANOE

always made their encampment, and he looked long
and earnestly into the eyes of the princess as his
slaves paddled slowly by.

“His love has grown no less in the waiting,” Kali

thought happily, watching his canoe until it mingled
with the many others on the waters between the cove
and the distant fort.

On the very next afternoon the young chief and his
people came to the Chilcat encampment. They came
in the big canoes of the Haidas, with great pomp and
ceremony, as upon a mission of grave importance.
Foremost among them appeared the young chief, tall,
handsome, magnificent in his marten and ermine,
bearing himself proudly, attracting all eyes.

When the ceremonies of greeting were over and the
time came to look at the blankets, the Haida chief,
the chieftainess, and the young chief walked slowly
around the room, examining each blanket as they had
done before, praising each one courteously as they
passed. At last they came to Kali’s blanket, stretched
upon a frame against the back wall. Across the entire
wall it hung, concealing the skins and matting under-
neath; upon the ground lay the deep thick fringe,
beautiful to look upon.

For a long time the three royal visitors stood before
it, silent, studying the workmanship, admiring the
design and fringe; while Kali, her heart beating fast,
waited for their words of approval. She stood with