THE ANCIENT ONE 23

have never seen, and he shall bring proofs that the
animal really lives. In order to find such an animal,
he must go farther north or south or west than any
Haida has ever been, and the Haidas have been far.
Perhaps he must go among all our enemies, past the
Nootkas and Bellabellas on the south, past the
Tsimshians on the east, past the Tlingits on the north.
Brave and clever must he be to cross their hunting-
grounds safely. You will agree that no one who is
lazy or lacking in courage and wisdom, could do this
and live. If, then, my son returns with the carving of
an animal no Haida has ever seen, shall he have a
place of honor in our tribe?’ ”

“What did they say?” Quahl asked breathlessly.

“They cried, ‘Yes!’ with one voice,” Kinna replied.
“Then our father said, ‘So be it, then. At sunrise to-
morrow morning Quahl shall leave upon this journey.
So I, your chief, have spoken.”

For a moment Quahl was silent. He looked at the
graceful dish in his hand, at his beloved tools lying
upon the log, at the shadows and pools of sunlight in
the little glade where he had spent so many peaceful
hours. Last of all, he looked at Kinna whom he loved
dearly—Kinna the young musician, who, unknown
to the rest of the tribe, could play magic music on
some fragile reeds.

“JT will not wait until to-morrow, Kinna,” Quahl
said quietly. “I will not look again upon those who
have brought such shameful charges against me.”