so ALEXANDEE MACKENZIE ON CEETAIN 



those who were considered uudnly favoured. The body of the lodge was then often the 

 arena of serious disturbance, iu which blankets and clothing were torn to shreds by an 

 infuriated mob. Knives were sometimes freely used, and often the ominous report of a 

 gun or pistol would be heard iu the crowd, which would cause a panic and frantic rush 

 to the doors and apertures of the house with what goods could be hastily snatched in 

 hand, leaving a small knot of excited men and wailing women surrounding a bleeding 

 corpse on the floor. Such an incident would, of course, lead to another feast and dance 

 with payment of property to the relatives of the deceased. To the guests not implicated 

 in the affair, a murder only meant more feasts and more fun, and to judge from appear- 

 ances, these good old times were not disliked. 



It is worthy of note, as already remarked, that the giver of a feast does not distribute 

 présente to those of his own crest, whether such an one be a relative or not ; for instance, 

 an eagle making an occasion of raising a pole, would give nothing to the eagles, but the 

 bears would be the recipients. 



An invariable concomitant of these feasts after the arrival of the whites on the coast, 

 was ardent spirits of a vile nature, supplied by rascally traders in sloops and schooners, 

 or a fiery compound distilled by the natives themselves from molasses, sugar, rice, flour, 

 or beans. 



As far as the Haida of Masset are concerned, all the above is but a tale of the past, 

 as they now neither erect columns, give potlaches, dance, nor distil liquor, having decided 

 to follow the advice given them by the government and missionaries to live according 

 to law and order. 



Daggers (Haida Kah-ooHh).— [Nos. 1300,1301, 1304, 1330, 1331]. Such daggers are 

 for the most part very ancient, and many of them have individual histories and tradi- 

 tions appertaining to them. They are formidable weapons in a hand to hand fight, and 

 were always carried round the neck to feasts and similar social gatherings. No. 1331 is 

 of tempered copper, the mode of its manufacture being said to have been possessed by 

 the " ancients," who could hammer out native copper and give it a keen edge. 



A legend is connected with No. 1301, in which it is said to have been carved and 

 tempered by a woman who came from northern Alaska. Its history is known for two 

 or three generations, it having passed from one chief to another, but its true origin is lost 

 in obscurity. In former times assassination was by no means uncommon, and slaves 

 were often commanded to perform the deed, generally with these formidable daggers. 

 To the knowledge of several persons still alive, two cowardly murders were perpetrated 

 by a slave at his master's instigation, with this particular weapon. 



No. 1300 was procured from a man, now dead, who was for a long time under a 

 tribal ban as a murderer, having deliberately stabbed a woman to death in a canoe in 

 mid-sea, and thrown her body overboard, for the sake of getting her money. Years after, 

 the deed was broiight home to him, and he had to pay largely to save his life. 



Stone Tomahaivk (Haida Hlth-at-loiv). — [No. 1829.] This is a formidable weapon of 

 offence, and was used by the tribes of the Northwest Coast in their forays and fights. 

 Although small and light, one blow from a stout arm, fairly delivered, Avould pierce the 

 strongest cranium. 



Remdeer-antler Tomahaivk (Haida Scoots-hlth-at-loiv). — [No. 1302.] This very ancient 

 and interesting relic is made from one of the antlers of a species of reindeer which 



