THE CHILCAT BLANKET 249

the people said; “and the marvel of it is that it was
completed in a year. The fame of it will spread
among all the tribes, and great honor will come to our
village. Truly, the suitors will throng about the prin-
cess, and there is no young chief who will not wish
to marry her.”

When it came time to leave for the Nass, Kali’s
mother wrapped the precious blanket well in oiled
skins and placed it in the beautiful cedar box the
chief had made for it.

“T shall be very proud to show this, my daughter,”
she said with a smile. “And if I am not mistaken, a
certain young Haida chief will be waiting to pur-
chase it.”

“You knew?” Kali gasped, astonished.

“We received word that the blanket had been
burned by accident on the night of the purchase,”
her mother replied, “‘and I have suspected that you
also received such a message. That young chief is
very wise and considerate. No other would have gone
to so much pains to save us shame and humiliation;
no other would have made such a sacrifice to protect
your honor. Proud will he be when he sees this
blanket; proudly will he display it to his people
when they come to our encampment.”

Even as Kali’s mother had predicted, the young
chief was waiting when the Chilcats arrived at Fort
Simpson; waiting near the cove where Kali’s people