STORIES 457

the hand, and they found the various seams. Finally they stripped off the
false skin and disclosed the body of the bad woman. The whole popula-
tion of the village had gathered by this time and all were witnesses to the
imposture. Stucx spoke:

“J had my suspicions that this was the case; this woman came to the
camp and asked my wife a great many questions. I told her that she had
done wrong in letting a stranger know the details of my observance of
ceremonial chastity.”

“Have you any idea where your wife is?” asked the chief.

“No,” replied Stucx. “The only clue I have is that an owl kept calling
from that tree over yonder behind the house, saying: ‘Stu.x’s wife has
tied up a fold of skin around her hips.’ ”

The young men began to dig under the tree and presently uncovered
the skinned body which had been thrown into the earth without clothing
ofany kind. The people, filled with grief and horror at the deed, showed
their sympathy by gifts to Stuix; a coffin with carved sides, copper knives,
and other valuables to place beside the body init. The corpse was washed
and borne in state with the many presents, including a large number given
by Stuux himself, to the cemetery near the village, where it was interred.
The family of the murderess buried her hastily on the spot, fearing the
wrath of the people at the crime she had committed.

Stuux was so heartbroken that he did not hunt all winter, but sup-
ported himself on the stores laid up in his house. Grieved though he was
at his wife’s loss, a greater sorrow was that she had not lived long enough
to bear him a son to perpetuate his name. Some four months after her
death his father-in-law approached him, suggesting that he marry one of
her sisters. The dead woman had two brothers and three sisters, and
the whole family sympathized with the bereaved husband. Stuix was
very much pleased with the proposition and promptly married one of the
sisters,*> who took the place of the murdered woman. Once more Stux
went hunting, in which he was so successful that many youths were con-
stantly employed carrying home his game.

Within a year his wife bore him a male child who was likewise given
the name of Stucx and who received supernatural good fortune at a time
of famine.

THE WAR OF THE BIRDS*?

A day’s journey from Stux there is a lake near which there used to

Such a marriage is common if the dead wife’s family respect the husband,
though not otherwise.
“The Bella Coola regard the following as a record of an event which occurred