THE WONDER-WORKER’S PIPE 203

“You are a good lad,” Shim said, peering into
Teka’s face as they started back toward the Haida
encampment. “You have been good to old Shim be-
fore. He has never forgotten. This Kilko is bad. Shim
has not forgotten that, either. One of these days Shim
will punish Kilko. One of these days he will reward
you for your kindness.”

“Can you tell me where to look for Thaimshim’s
pipe, Shim?” Teka asked eagerly. He suspected that
the old man knew where the pipe could be found, for
whenever it was mentioned a sly look came into
Shim’s eyes, and he would chuckle knowingly.

“The pipe! Ho, ho, ho! He, he, he! Shim knows
of no pipe,” the old man declared. He hummed softly
as he peered into Teka’s face.

“Yes you do, Shim,” Teka insisted. “You know
where the pipe is to be found.”

“No, no, no!” Shim protested. “How would Shim
know where the pipe is? Many have searched for it;
none have found it. Poor Shim knows nothing. He is
only Shim the Foolish One. He could not find the
precious pipe.”

Nothing more would Shim say. But Teka still be-
lieved that the old man knew where Thaimshim’s pipe
could be found.

From that day a change came over Shim. He did
not sing so much and he would tell no stories. In-
stead, he sat for hours beside the fire, muttering to
himself or silent and gloomy. Again and again Teka

SS ne eR ae

eee —— wee ee

Sh ape ee ee
———