410 TSIMSHIAN MYTHOLOGY [hth.ann.31 



what tliis means, since the relatives certainly retain their liberty 

 (207). Visitors are invited to gambling-games (217) or the people 

 visit a neighboring village to gamble there (1.215). 



Quarrels and War * 



There are many references to individual quarrels, murder, and 

 revenge. Families that are on bad terms do not camp together when 

 moving back to their permanent village (241). 



Wars and war customs are often mentioned. The people of some 

 villages are described as wealthy and warlike (1.193). A battle on 

 the ice of the river is described in 1.199; and a general war, in 1.217. 

 In a battle between two clans all the men of one side are killed (307). 

 The town of the vanquished people is burned (1.199). Insult is 

 revenged by a person secretly entering the house of his enemy, where 

 he cuts off his head (318). Incidents of murder for revenge are men- 

 tions] repeatedly (222, 1.195, N 221). A man who suspects another 

 one of being the lover of his wife, comes home secretly, waits behind 

 the houses until late at night, and then enters to see whether his sus- 

 picions are justified (1.195). The Beaver conquers the Grizzly Bear 

 by inducing him to jump into a swamp, in which he is drowned (111). 

 Jealousy between hunters is given as the cause of quarrels. One man 

 tells that his companion clubbed him, threw him down a cliff, and cut 

 him, because he had been unsuccessful in hunting, whde he himself 

 had killed much game (97). The same idea appears in the tale of 

 Txa'msEin and Cormorant (92) . When a tribe or clan resolves to make 

 war on another one, a war party is organized (258) . Scouts were sent in 

 advance (196). Such a party may be organized by one generation to 

 avenge the defeat of their ancestors (258). People who have to stay 

 over night in a strange house guard against secret assaults (142, 150). 

 When people fear attack, they build forts. On 319 it is stated that 

 a fort is built with a double wall. The women and children gather 

 stones in the fort, budd a walk over the top of the wall, and all the 

 people move in. The walls are evidently made of posts. When 

 an attack upon a village was expected, children and women were sent 

 to a secure place (165). In individual struggles a woman might also 

 be hurt (1.197). Quite exceptional is the appearance of a woman as 

 warrior (316). In war, open attack was resorted to in extreme cases 

 only. In ordinary defense and attack, ruses and strategy were 

 resorted to. On 143 we read of ten men defending themselves by 

 breaking off the snow from the mountain, and thus causing an 

 avalanche, that overwhelms their pursuers. 



When a victory has been gained, the people shout for joy, and sing 

 the war-song of their clan (259). The heads of the slain enemies are 



i The information lound in the war stories, pp. 355 et seq., is not contained in these notes. 



