6 . THE INDIANS OF CAPE FLATTERY. 



rushes and flags, are better adapted for sleeping upon than the cedar bark mats of 

 their own manufacture. These mats are rolled up at one end of the bed so as to 

 form a pillow, and on them the Indian lies down, with generally no other covering 

 than the blanket he has worn through the day. Sometimes a thickness of eight or 

 ten mats is used, but commonly from three to five. They make a very healthy and 

 easy couch by themselves, but some of the more luxurious add a sack full of feathers. 

 These bed places are arranged all around the sides and ends of the lodges, and 

 are separated from each other by the boxes containing the family wealth, con 

 sisting of blankets, beads, and clothing, which are piled up at the head and 

 feet. Directly in front of them is a lower platform, usually three inches from 

 the ground. On this, other mats are laid, and here the family and visitors sit and 

 eat or talk as the case may be. The fire is in front of it, and a chain depending 

 from a beam overhead, serves to hang the pots or kettles on, while cooking. Over 

 the beds are stowed the provisions belonging to the family, packed away in baskets, 

 while above the fire are hung such fish or other food as they may be desirous of 

 drying in the smoke. 



The dwellings of the Makahs are not removed except for some emergency. 

 They are collected in villages, each containing from eight to fifteen houses. The 

 principal one is situated at Necah, to which locality that formerly at Baada, on 

 the eastern point of the bay, has been removed, and the two thus combined com 

 prise fifteen dwellings and two hundred and forty-one inhabitants. The other 

 villages are Waatch, on the Pacific coast, at the mouth of Waatch creek, four miles 

 from Neeah, consisting of nine dwellings and one hundred and twenty-six residents ; 

 Tsuess, four miles south from Waatch, containing eight houses and ninety-nine 

 residents, and Hosett, at Flattery Rocks, consisting of fifteen houses and one 

 hundred and eighty-eight persons. The above constitute the winter residences of 

 the tribe. Early in the spring they remove to their summer quarters, which are 

 the villages of Kiddekubbut, three miles from Neeah; Tatooche Island, and 

 Ahchawat, between Tatooche Island and Waatch. At these three spots are houses, 

 similar to those in the other villages, which are left standing when the tribe goes 

 into winter quarters. Occasionally, when an Indian has not sufficient boards for 

 both, he will remove the roof-boards to whichever house he is occupying. To do 

 so, they place two canoes abreast and lay the boards across the top. Each house 

 is generally owned by one individual, and the families who occupy it with him are 

 his relatives or friends, who are accommodated free of rent. They usually, how 

 ever, make presents of food, or render assistance in various ways when required ; 

 but they are not obliged to do either unless they wish. The houses are all placed 

 fronting the beach, and usually have but one door. Some, however, have a small 

 opening in the rear, through which wood and water are brought in. They have no 

 buildings set apart for public purposes, but when an unusually large gathering 

 takes place, they proceed to the largest lodge, which is always thrown open for the 

 accommodation of the tribe. 



The reason why the roofs of the houses are so different from those of the Chihalis 

 and Chinooks, at the Columbia river, is that they are used to dry fish upon. 

 Now, the Chinooks and Chihalis, as well as all the tribes on the sound and 



