232 THE BIG CANOE

“For many years I have planned to tell you a
certain story, Naida,” she began, “but other things
have always interfered. To-day, however, we are
alone, and I am going to tell you the story of a
Chilcat princess whose shame and humiliation no
other person in this tribe shall ever know.”

Many years ago there lived a beautiful Chilcat
princess far up in the Northland. Her cheeks were
as smooth as dogwood petals, her eyes sparkled with
the radiance of sunlight upon the waters, and the
fame of her beauty spread among all the tribes that
gathered on the bay of the Nass in the springtime.

Nevertheless, many spoke unkindly of Kali, for
she was vain and arrogant, and so exceedingly care-
less and lazy that it seemed certain she would bring
discredit upon her tribe. Haughty are the Chilcats;
proud and wealthy are they, also. On their beaches
are many Haida canoes. In their lodges the boxes
of olachen grease are piled high, for use in the long
winters. In their villages are slaves without number.
They have many coppers, and all sorts of valuable
tools and utensils and weapons from the trading-post
at Fort Simpson—all these obtained in exchange for
the famous blankets that are woven by the Chilcat
women. Proudest of all are they of the Chilcat
blankets.