The morning call., 1893-06-25

rocky beach, 1t is in these canoes that the
Indians of the Northwest formerly hunted
the fur seals, whose migratory path to
Alaskan breeding grounds lies anywhere
from ten to sixty miles at sea along the
coast. In their small canoes they brave
the treachsrous weather of March aud
early May in search of the seals and fire.
queptly in a season of two months could
make from $500 to $1,000. With skins
readily selling at $40 to S15 each the lucky
hunter in short time would be able to
acquire a considerable fortune
The weapon most employed was the
spear. The fur seal in its long journey
frequently sleeps on the water, and 1t was
the business of the Indian to noiselessly
approach within striking distance, when
the spearsnan, standing erect in the bow
of the boat, would fling his weapon with
force and precision into the sleeping seal.
The little creature would then be hauled
alongside the canoe, knocked in the head,
taken aboard. Immediately skinned and
the carcass cast back into the sea.
But to return to the potlatch. 1t consisted
of a sort of Indian lovefeast, camp-meeting
and barbecue combined, with the impor-
tant addition that the giver's generosity,
entirely voluntary, went beyond mere
feasting and lavished all sorts of presents
upon those who were called to his wig
wan. The diligence exercised in giving
away the fortune which perhaps he had
uctli lbul VI III up w as
only equaled by the misery qualities and
thieving proclvities always abnormally
developed) which he had employed in
amassing his fortune.
| have seen an Indian suh-chief give
away absolutely and forever, in a three
days potatch. $4,000 in coin or its equiv
aIent. When the victim of this species
of insanity has once determined to i'm
poverish himself he sends out invitations
To all his friends up aud down the coast
for thirty or forty miles advising them Of
his intention. The invitations are not
elaborate. neither are they urgent. They
don't have to be. The knowledge that a
''potlatch" is to be given is quite sufficient
For it means to the invited participants a
royal good time, an abundance to eat for a
day at least, the probability of gettin z
new blankets, dollars in silver and per-
haps good canoe. or fishing and hunting
tackle.
The Indian who thus seeks the utmost
depth Of poverty from the height of
opulence Immediately becomes an object
of the utmost importance. and the loving
attention shown him | can only liken to
the sympathetic regard heaped upon
young woman who is soon to be married
by her immediate girl friends.
At the time / have alluded to an indian.
who rejoiced in the highly euphonious
native name of Phui-pok-s sat, but
who was for short called plain Captain
John Smith by the whites, was known
to have large sum of money in American
silver dollars-six thousand of them-and
he announced that he would give every
cent of it away. No meaner Indian ever
lived in Western Washington. but he sud
denly leaped into greater prominence
among his tellow-eitizens than local
political boss who has half dozen Offices
to give out.
The day of the potlatch arrived. 1t took
MD OF linh
Tatoosh Island. On the evening previous
the guests OF Captain John began to ar
rive. They came in feet and in their
big canoes capable of holding from fifteen
to nifty Indians. As they came near the
beach their paddles stopped and they sang
in sort OF chant an Indian story, the
women taking no part In the DISCOURSE
1t was not unmusical, and, coming over
the water in the falling shadows of the
evening, mellowed by distance and min
CLING with the gentle swell which little
more than rippled on the beach, was wild
and mOurnful. This ceremonial over, they
came ashore and mingled together about
the camp.
On the following morning the feast be-
gan. Large quantities OF brown sugar,
kegs of syrup, hard tack and crackers
were forthcoming and were carried out
above high water on this beach. The
syrup and sugar were poured into two
Cahoes doout hiteen ieeG ID iengtn, the
boxes of hard bread were opened and the
feast began. Dried halibut and other fish
made up the menu, upon which the natives
turned themselves loose with unlimited
confidence and the utmost enthusiasm. Lit
tie and big. old and young, attacked the
Drovender. and the noise and confusion of
the feast could be heard even above the
tumult, which is an inseparaDle adjunct
to every Indian anG Indian CAMP
The Teasing over, the more serious
work of the potlatch began. Bolts OF
blankets, bolts OF many-colored flannels,
loads of calico prints. hundreds of flaming
Observation-Disclosures were opened up,