236 THE BIG CANOE

latches or feasts or celebrations? Such a punish-
ment was unheard of in the annals of the tribe.

When the time came to prepare for the journey
into the Southland, Kali’s blanket was finished, it
is true, but it was so poorly woven that the lowliest
girl among the Chilcats would have been ashamed to
own it.

“Your blanket is a disgrace to the tribe, my daugh-
ter.” The chieftainess was stern as she folded it and
put it away in the big cedar box with her own. “Look
at the loose, uneven weaving. Look at the crooked
designs. Look at the thin fringe and the ragged edges.
Never have I seen a poorer blanket. Nevertheless,
I shall show it to all who ask to see it,’ she added
grimly, “and then I shall turn away and hide my
head in shame.”

Many times during the journey southward, Kali
had cause to think of that wretched blanket; many
times she overheard resentful remarks about her care-
lessness and lack of pride. To the Chilcats it was
a serious matter that their princess had not lived
up to their tradition of fine weaving.

When they reached Fort Simpson, however, Kali
forgot the blanket for a while because of her interest
in the stirring scenes within the harbor. She had
visited the trading-post every year of her life, yet
each spring the sight of the great fort with its stout
stockade rising high above the Tsimshian villages,
of the vast number of canoes upon the waters, of