UP THE S KEEN A RIVER. 



187 



stockade of the company's post, with its two bastions at opposite 

 corners, and the blockhouse in the center of the inclosure, but now 

 hidden by the store which stands in front of it. The stockade was 

 put up in 1891, when an Indian uprising was feared throughout the 

 length of the river. 



Wherever you find a trading post and a missionary you can not 

 hope to find people who retain much of their native life or who 

 are of great value to anthropology. But still Hazelton was sufficient- 

 ly primitive to be of interest in many respects. In matters of dress 

 the Indians are almost on a footing with the whites, but they still 

 make a curious garment for winter's use which is worn by nearly all 

 of the interior tribes. This is a blanket made out of long, narrow 

 strips of rabbit hide, and is warm, heavy, and extremely durable. 

 We were fortunate enough to find a woman who was engaged in 



Tsimsiiian Shaman's Ceremonial Bow and Arrow. 



making one of these curious garments on a most rude and primitive 

 loom. Other garments are still occasionally made of Indian hemp, 

 which grows wild and in abundance. This is beaten and pounded 

 and then spun into fine thread, and woven into the desired form. 



In former days the Indians used large quantities of the wool 

 of the mountain sheep in making the beautiful chilcat blankets 

 that formed an important part of the chief's costume, but now 

 the Indians buy most of their wool. Its chief uses are for 

 sashes and belts, which are still worn and made after the fashion 

 of former days. Of other garments of daily use, except moc- 

 casins, there is nothing remaining. There are a few remnants 

 of ceremonial costumes still in existence, and by a bit of good fortune 

 we were enabled to secure the complete paraphernalia of a shaman, 

 or Indian doctor, who had only recently renounced his native prac- 

 tices and joined Mr. Fields's band of Christians. In the outfit thus 

 acquired were rattles, charms, blankets, masks, and headdresses of 

 various kinds. From another individual we secured the complete 

 costume of a member of the fraternity, or secret society, of Dog 

 Eaters. The Tsimshians have four such societies, and the Dog 

 Eaters stand third in rank, being surpassed only by the Man Eaters 



