240 THE BIG CANOE

wear so many ermine tails upon his head-dress! Great
would be the honor if he became her suitor, for the
Haida chiefs were proud of their Haida blood, and
rarely permitted their sons to marry into other tribes.

All night long Kali could think of nothing save
the wretched blanket which would be viewed by the
young chief and his people when they came to the
Chilcat encampment to purchase blankets. The young
chief, thinking to do her honor, would ask to be
shown her blanket and her mother would show it,
just as she had promised to do. Just and kind was
her mother, but very stern also, keeping all promises.
The young chief would look upon the blanket with
its loose, uneven weaving, its crooked designs, poorly
made and joined together, its skimpy fringe, its
ragged edges, and he would turn away in scorn.

The very next day the young chief and his rela-
tives came to the chief’s lodge in the Chilcat en-
campment. Certain ceremonies govern such occasions,
so that many hours of feasting and entertainment
passed before the blankets were examined. All the
time Kali sat apart among her attendants, dread-
ing the ordeal ahead and wishing that it could be
delayed forever; sat apart and met the ardent gaze
of the young chief whenever she chanced to glance
in his direction.

At length the ceremonies were over and the Haida
chief asked to be shown the finest blankets in the
encampment. As the royal visitors moved slowly