Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-11-12


served the purpose, for the eyes o
visitors continually ached from thu
prevalence of the dense vapor which
arose from a score or more Of fires
on which was stewing, in pots ant
kettles of all shapes AND sizes. the
MONDAY meal. Around the lodge
on an elevated platform about fou1
feet wide, running its whole length
sat or reclined the women and chill
dren, in all the grotesque, not tc
say picturesque: attitudes imaginable
Here comely squaw, clad in the
faded cast-off garments of some one
of her aristocratic white sisters, sal
knitting or sewing: there an ancien,
dame, clad in rags and filth, pa
tiently watching and stirring the
boiling caldrons of peas and wheat
the sole course of the meal soon to
follow. Near the entrance sat q
pleasant-faced klootchman making
bread. Her manner was peculiar
The flour was first moistened and
stirred in pitcher, and then poured
into pan, when it was kneeded
just enough to give lit the shape of
flat loaves, which were placed in a
fry-pan and inclined to the blazing
fire. The loaves appeared after bak-
ing still fiat and decidedly soggy,
but whether this was owing to the
absence of /" rising" or the manner
in which the mass was Incorporated
or baked, we have no means of
knowing. In another part of the
wigwam we saw loaves which would
have been admitted for competition
at our Territorial Fair, but upon in
quiry we ascertained they we've
baked in the oven of that innovation
upon savage custom, o cook stove,
and probably this was the one thing
needful to have made all their pastry
Us inviting. There were possibly
$50 women and children lounging
on the platforms, which served the
purpose likewise of beds at night.
Under them and on the girders over
head, we've stored -four, potatoes
and fruit; freshly slaughtered car
cass of beef being an extra tid-bit
laid away for the browning cere-
monies when the Potlatch began.
Salmon were likewise a conspicuous
article of diet-not the dainty, deli
cate-favored fish OF commerce, but
the blotch-skinned, lean dog-salmon
and many of these fish, impaled
on sticks, slowly roasted before the
fires.
THE RULING PASSION.
After inspecting our motley sur
roundings as long as eyes and nose
would beac the infection, our party
stepped out to where the /" bucks"
were engaged in gambling. To lie.
scribe the games fully would require
a greater command Of the kings
English than Interpreter =" Henry"
possessed; one might take close OBJ
servations for an age, without solv-
ing the mystery of when the game
ends ends or who wins, except from
the exultation OF the winners. The
principal device employed to WOO
dame Fortunes favors, possesses one
advantage, at least an-indefnite
number can engage in it. They sit
or kneel in two rows, facing each
other. The stakes lin this instance
consisting of clothing, boots and
shoes and money! are heaped in a
pile between them. A player on
one side takes in either hand q cyl
inder of bone about an inch in d.
ameter and three inches long, in
scribed with dark-lined figures,
which he conceals under haudker-
chief suspended from the neck.
Then begins an elaborate gesticula.
ton accompanied by a monotonous
chant from all the bucks on his side,
while they beat time with sticks on
boardslaid just infront of them for the
purpose. Occasionally.a rude drum
70 used 70 add to the horrible din.
Ats signal frou, the opposing side,
the noise ceases and the cylinders
are transferred to the player oppo-
site. and they take up the horrid
refrain. Pegs are used TO keep the
game. and as they pass from side to
side. the infareak ~ ,,ert;c;,,n,,.,a;