220 THE BIG CANOE

Since then, by day and night, great fires had flared
on all the beaches beside the roasting-racks and
boiling-vats, and the stench of olachen fish had filled
the air. At every low tide, when the weather per-
mitted, nets were let down to catch the precious little
fish, so that all through the night torches flashed here
and there on bay and shore, and slaves worked con-
stantly beside the fires. Oala had feared she would
never be free to try out her desperate scheme. Now
that the time had actually come, she was breathless
with excitement.

With the doll and masks hidden beneath her
ragged clothing, Oala slipped out of her hiding-place
and hurried along the shore. Mile after mile slipped
behind as she trotted happily along the beaches, so
glad to be away from the Niska village that she was
unaware of cold or fatigue. Whenever she could,
she slipped through the forest behind the encamp-
ments to avoid being seen; when this was impossible
she walked boldly past, far down the shingle.

At last she reached a Haida encampment, which
she recognized instantly by the number of fine new
Haida canoes drawn high upon the beach. Among
them was the big canoe which had so often passed
the Niska village bearing the Haida princess and
her attendants. More beautiful than any other was
this canoe, as graceful as a gull when it rode upon
the waters.

As she hesitated there beside the driftwood tangle