368 THE BELLA COOLA INDIANS

For some time no one was willing to take the risk of hitting a comrade,
but Kwa/sdén? continued his request until a good shot took careful aim
and fired. The bullet cut the knot and the warrior’s scanty locks fell
streaming over his face; he was partially bald so that his top-knot was
thin and collapsed easily. Everyone was pleased at this incident as fore-
telling victory. Those whose courage had been established either by
magical means or by the distribution of wealth, often deliberately took
public risks of this kind to show their bravery.

Then the expedition continued, travelling only by night after leaving
friendly waters. It was decided to attack the people of Kingcome Inlet,
though it is unknown whether that objective had been decided upon
before leaving Bella Coola or en route. When close to their goal, a scout-
ing canoe was sent forward, guided by the slave. He led the party into
one cove, then into another, without seeming to arrive anywhere; the
scouts feared that he was deceiving them, so they landed, and while two
or three lay in hiding, the others took Siwid back to the main party. One
Bella Coola had a slight knowledge of the route, so he was sent forward
to join the hidden scouts; their canoe was cautiously paddled forward
in the darkness till the crew was able to land unobserved about a quarter
of a mile from the objective. Kingcome Inlet is famous for its olachen,
which attract fishermen from all parts of the coast; on the day previous
a canoe from the north had arrived for the spring run and reported the
departure of the Bella Coola expedition. From the time which had
elapsed, the Kingcome Inlet people knew that this must now be in the
vicinity. Two canoes filled with men were sent out from the threatened
village; they scoured the neighbouring coasts, but although one of the
crews almost stumbled over the hidden scouts, they found no trace of
them, and returned, reporting that no enemy was near. Having avoided
those who were looking for them, the Bella Coola scouts returned to the
main party and preparations were made to attack at dawn.

The warriors gained positions in ambush behind the village without
being discovered, and just before daybreak the assault was launched.
The Djoldéimx, taken unaware, could offer no real resistance; many of
them were killed or captured although Siwid, the chief, himself escaped.
The Bella Coola suffered only one casualty, the captain of one of the
canoes. During the journey, the bow-man of his craft had misjudged
the amounts of food and cedar-bark required, so that his leader, in the
stern, had received neither and was in no fit condition for fighting. Some
of his friends advised him to remain with the canoes and promised to
bring him prisoners to guard; the captain refused this offer, rushed into
the fight and was slain. It was generally felt that lack of war decorations
was responsible. |