158 NIMKISH VILLAGE. 



siderable distance. This stream is used by the 

 Hudson's Bay traders to reach the western side 

 of Vancouver Island. Ascending it in canoes 

 as far as practicable, about two days' walking 

 brings them to Nootka Sound. 



At the mouth of the river, I saw the village of 

 the Nimkish Indians, situated on a table-land 

 overhanging the sea, and inaccessible save by 

 ascending a vertical cliff of smooth rock a feat 

 nothing but a fly could manage, unaided; but 

 the redskins have a ladder, made of cedar-bark 

 rope, which they can haul up and lower at will. 

 The ladder up, the place is impregnable. Safe 

 themselves, they can quietly bowl over their 

 enemies, and sink their canoes. 



These Nimkish Indians speak of another tribe 

 that they call Sau-kau-lutuck, who have never 

 seen or traded with white people. Their story, 

 as interpreted for me by Mr. Moffat, the chief 

 trader at Fort Rupert who told me he quite 

 believed it to be true was as follows : 



'In crossing over to the west side of the island, 

 on a war-path, the Nimkis discovered these In- 

 dians by accident, took several of them prisoners, 

 whom they subsequently used as slaves, taking 

 also skins, and what other property they had 

 worth plundering. They are said to live on the 



