254 THE BIG CANOE

side. Carefully she studied the loops of colored yarn
wound around the strands of long white fringe.

“What was the mark this princess put upon her
blanket?” she asked eagerly. “You did not tell me
that.”

“Tf I have not forgotten,” her mother answered with —
a smile, “there were three blue strands and one yel-
low, woven thrice around three divisions of fringe.
That was Kali’s mark and she was very proud of it.”

“This is the same!” Naida cried. “Mother, this is
your blanket. You were the Chilcat princess and my
father was the young chief. It is a true story.”

“Tt is a true story that would have had a tragic
ending had your father been less faithful and less
wise,” her mother replied soberly. “So lock it well
within your heart and let it remain a secret between us
two forever.”

THE END