THE CHILCAT BLANKET 253

she to forget the beautiful song of greeting that swelled
out across the waters—the song of greeting to the
young chief’s betrothed which was sung by Haida
singers on the shore. As she stepped from the canoe,
four of the young chief’s companions came forward
to greet her and reverently placed an elkskin upon
the ground, and bade her sit upon it. Then they lifted
her and carried her proudly into the dwelling of the
Haida chief, enlarged with many new cedar mats for
this occasion, where her betrothed, wearing her
blanket, stood proudly waiting beside the fire.

Throughout the marriage ceremony that followed
these two sat there hand in hand upon the blanket—
sat there staring soberly into the fire through the long
ordeal of silence and fasting prescribed by ancient
custom. So great was their happiness, however, that
they were unmindful of hunger or discomfort and
utterly content with all things.

There was silence in the big room for a long mo-
ment after the story was finished. Upon the roof the
rain beat steadily, with a soothing, restful sound.
From the edge of the smoke hole the water dripped
slowly and fell hissing upon the red-hot coals below.
Finally Naida rose and approached the beautiful Chil-
cat blanket hanging upon the rack by her mother’s