18 THE BIG CANOE

hat from the canoe. “It was this hat, our mother’s
hat, that helped us find the hidden island. It is a
magic hat, without a doubt. If I had not worn it, it
would not have blown away and the puffin bird would
never have picked it up out of the water. If we had not
followed the puffin bird, we should never have dis-
covered the hidden island, that is sure. You can see
for yourself that it is a magic hat, my father.”

“There is no doubt about it.” Sagano reached
reverently for the hat, which he carried to his lodge
and put away in a great carved Haida chest that held
his treasures, where it remained, an object of awe and
veneration, for many, many years.