130 THE BIG CANOE

things she has used or made. Never once has he made
a mistake. He will bring Lana’s basket and the other
one will be Kish’s.”

Kish turned toward her brother angrily.

“That is ridiculous,” she stormed. “Shall my
word be doubted and that of a slave girl believed?
Besides, if Koots brings back the basket in his teeth,
it will be ruined.”

“Why should you worry about that?” was Steilta’s
wise retort. “He will not bring back your basket.”

“Let Koots judge,” Lana begged. “I shall not care
if he ruins my basket. I would rather go without the
necklace than have you think I am claiming Kish’s
basket.”

“Your plan is a good one, my son,” said the chief,
relieved at the simplicity of the plan. “We will let
Koots be the judge. He is but a small animal, but
he is very wise and his nose is very keen. I have
often seen him do this trick for Lana and I know
that he will bring back only the things that belong
to her. It is certain that he will not bring Kish’s
basket. He will bring the basket that belongs to
Lana, and then this matter will be settled once and
for all.”

Kish, caught in a net from which there seemed
to be no escape, was obliged to remain and watch
Lana leave, accompanied by one of the sub-chiefs, to
hide the baskets; she was obliged to wait until the