THE WESTERN DENES. 143 



equivalent therefor), they were regarded as the only men entitled to 

 be heard upon any topic of interest to the tribe. Theirs was the 

 privilege to use a hereditary name, to wliich was attached a particular 

 song handed down from generation to generation ; to dance first to 

 the tune of said chant ; and the privilege also of wearing insignia 

 distinctive of their rank ; to be assigned an honorable place in the 

 ceremonial "pot-latches;" and, lastly', the right to pacify belligerents, 

 settle disputes and otherwise exercise some authority in their i-espective 

 villages. 



By " authority " however, I should not be understood as meaning 

 the strict right or power to command with the implicit co-relative of 

 absolute and instantaneous obedience — except when it was a question 

 of territorial rights. As there was scarcely any sanction to their 

 injunctions, and no detiuite punishment for disregard of the same, 

 it follows that the power of the notables was more persuasive than 

 obligatory. Nevertheless, some instances are related of notables who 

 shot dead fellow villagers, who were unmindfal of their orders, with- 

 out having had to answer "tooth for tooth" for the blood they shed. 

 On the other hand, it was very seldom that their orders were des- 

 ])ised. especially if seconded by some influential person — the natives 

 instinctively submit to properly su|)ported authority. 



There were more than one of tliese notables belonging to the same 

 clan and village and they were all of the same i-ank. It frequently 

 happened indeed that one of them exercised projninent authority in 

 the village, more generally than otherwise on account of his i-ejjuted 

 wealth and liberality — but even such notable was more prior' inter 

 pares than the possessor of the titles and attributes distinctive of the 

 modern chiefs. 



This organization was common to all the Western Denes exceiit 

 the Sekanais and Eastern Nah'anes who pass their lives in incessant 

 peregrinations, at the command of their natural leaders, the elde&t 

 among the fathei's of the families ordinarily concerting with the whole 

 band. 



