THE TALKING DOLL 225

know it was the Talking Doll that had been famous
among the Tsimshian tribes for generations. Oala
and Kona had kept their secret too cleverly for that!
After a moment’s thought, while all listened breath-
lessly, he named a price so high that the Haida
chief and his people were amazed. He demanded a
new Haida canoe nine fathoms long in exchange
for two young slaves!

Oala heard the Niska’s unreasonable demand, and
her heart sank. Kona heard, and looked up at his
sister with despair in his eyes. A canoe nine fathoms
long for two young slaves. The price was beyond
all reason. The Haida chief would never pay such
a price, not even to gain possession of the Talking
Doll!

Such important matters are not adjusted in a mo-
ment, and it happened that the Haida chief was
as keen at trading as the Niska. For a long time
they talked and argued and bargained, while the
princess and the chief’s household listened eagerly,
and the twins sat hand in hand before the fire, star-
ing into the flames.

At last the princess came running toward them.

“My father will not part with one of his biggest
canoes for two young slaves and a doll, even such
a doll as this one,” she began, but stopped when
she saw the look of agonized disappointment and
fear on the faces of the twins. “But he will give a