THE INDIANS OF CAPE FLATTERY. , 5 



regularly driven in, the board comes off very straight. The first piece being 

 rounded on the top, is a mere slab. The process is repeated until the- log is entirely 

 split up. The widest and best boards are from the centre, and are highly prized. 

 I have measured some of them which were over five feet in width. The choicest are 

 reserved for use in the interior of the lodge, or to paint their rude devices upon. 



When a sufficient number of boards is procured^ they next proceed to the erec 

 tion of the house. The roofs of all these houses are nearly flat, the least possible 

 inclination being given them that will allow the water to pass off freely. They are 

 intended to accommodate several families, and are of various dimensions ; some of 

 them being sixty feet long by thirty wide, and from ten to fifteen feet high. To 

 support the weight of these flat roofs it is necessary to have large timbers. These 

 are usually hewn down evenly, and are set up, either parallel with the length of 

 the house (in which case only one great timber extends along it), or else across the 

 width, when three or four are used. A space of the required size having been 

 cleared of stones and rubbish, and properly levelled, stout posts, notched on the top, 

 are securely inserted perpendicularly into the ground. The friends and neighbors 

 join to assist. Then all unite at one end of the beam and raise it as high as 

 they can at one lift, when it is blocked up. Stout poles, with their ends lashed 

 together crosswise, are now inserted under the beam, and while some hoist it, 

 others are lifting at the poles, till finally, after excessive labor and waste of 

 strength, the end of the timber is raised and placed on the top of the notched 

 post ; the other end of the beam is then raised, supporting posts are placed 

 under the centre, and the first portion of the building is finished. Whenever one 

 of these large beams is to be lifted, or when any work requiring the united exer 

 tions of several is to be done, it is usual for some one, generally an old man, to 

 give the word. He may be seen at such times seated a little distance off, with a 

 stick in his hand, with which to strike a blow on a board as a signal. When all is 

 ready, he calls out &quot; Shaiiyh sJiogh,&quot; which they all repeat, and at the word &quot; SJiogJt&quot; 

 he gives a blow with his stick and all lift together. The expression is equivalent 

 to &quot;Now then, hoist !&quot; or if to move a canoe, &quot;Now then, haul !&quot; 



Other posts are next set in the ground, which serve to form the frame for the 

 sides and ends. Smaller timbers are fixed on these posts parallel with the large 

 one, then poles are placed at right angles across the whole, and on these are 

 lastly laid the roof boards, which are made slightly concave on one side and 

 convex on the other, and are set alternately, overlapping like tiles. The sides and 

 ends are now to be built up with boards. First, double rows of poles are set up 

 perpendicularly all around the house, at distances of four or five feet from each 

 other, the rows themselves being about four inches apart. A board is then placed 

 between these rows of poles, with one of its edges resting on the ground. Withes 

 made from twisted cedar twigs are passed round the poles, and on these withes 

 another board is laid, with its lower edge overlapping the one beneath ; this pro 

 cess is repeated till the sides and ends are complete. Moss and dry sea-weed are 

 then stuffed into all the scams, and the house is considered habitable. 



The bed places are next to the walls of the house, and raised about eighteen 

 inches from the ground ; on them are laid Clallam mats, which, being made of bul- 



