United States or Niger ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Forgotten now were the Chilcats and missions while the word of God was being read in these majestic hieroglyphics blazoned along the sky. The earnest, childish wonderment with which this glorious page of Nature's Bible was contemplated was delightful to see. All evinced eager desire to learn. "Is that a glacier," they asked, "down in that canyon? And is it all solid ice?" "Yes." "How deep is it?"
It was a gathering of the tribes, like unto none in all the past, and a thousand miles of coast made up the tally. They were all strange Indians, with wives and chattels and dogs. She rubbed shoulders with Juneau and Wrangel men, and was jostled by wild-eyed Sticks from over the Passes, fierce Chilcats, and Queen Charlotte Islanders.
We promised them to eat Indian food and in every way behave like good Chilcats. We set out direct for Chilcat in the morning against a brisk head wind.
The Taku Indians, like the Chilcats, with a keen appreciation of the advantages of their position for trade, hold possession of the river and compel the Indians of the interior to accept their services as middle-men, instead of allowing them to trade directly with the whites. When we were baffled in our attempt to ascend the river, the day was nearly done, and we began to seek a camp-ground.
It was evident, however, that he mistrusted the proud and warlike Chilcats and doubted the acceptance of his friendly advances, and as we approached their village became more and more thoughtful. "My wife said that my old enemies would be sure to kill me. Well, never mind. I am an old man and may as well die as not."
And Opitsah sang a song of his own greatness and the greatness of his people, filled with bad words for the Chilcats and for Ligoun. And as he danced and sang, Opitsah threw off his blanket and with his knife drew bright circles before the face of Ligoun. And the song he sang was the Song of the Knife.
Word Of The Day