THE CHILCAT BLANKET 245

“Tf you make such a blanket, I shall be con-
tent,” agreed her father, his anger subsiding. He
turned to Kali’s mother, as if to question her, for
the words of Chilcat women are greatly respected in
all matters.

“T, too, shall be content if Kali makes such a
blanket,” said the chieftainess, “‘and I speak for the
tribe when I say that the disgrace she has brought
upon our weavers will be forgotten and she will be
given a place of honor among them.”

After this, however, there was despair in Kali’s
heart, through the days of discipline and punishment
enforced by the angry chief. Never again while the
Chilcats stayed at Fort Simpson was she permitted to
visit the houses of the other friendly chiefs, with her
family. Never again was she allowed to visit the
trading-post or mingle with her father’s visitors.
Never again did she look upon the young chief,
though she knew that he must have tried again and
again to see her.

When her tribe journeyed to the bay of the Nass,
a few miles away, to purchase their olachen grease
for the following year, she was not permitted to take
part in any of the festivities. With only her slave girl
Bidal to keep her company, she lay hour after hour
upon the rocks in the sunshine and sobbed hopelessly.
Night after night she wept softly through the long
dark hours. In spite of her resolution to be brave,
to busy herself with the details of the new blanket,