boas] DESCBIPTION OF THE TSIMSHIAN 435 



speaks in behalf of the chief (74) ; and when his master is visited 

 by members of the tribe from which he has been taken, he serves 

 as interpreter ('255). A supernatural being who wants to marry a 

 girl sends his slave to woo her (298). When the tribe has to shift 

 its camp, the slaves are sent out by the chief to give the order (230. 

 N 145, N 162, N 171, N 184). 



The relation between master and slave is often described as one of 

 great friendliness, the master taking good care of the slave. In one 

 story it is told that a slave who has been maltreated by strangers 

 goes to his master's house to complain (286). Stories are quite 

 numerous in which we hear of a noble person being deserted with a 

 slave. A chief, his nephew and slave, are deserted (119). A boy 

 deserted with a slave procures food for the latter (227; see p. 444). 

 Slaves are given as a present to the chief's son-in-law (209). Another 

 chief buys a slave as companion for his son (192), and at the same 

 place the love between the slave-boy and his master is described. 

 A prince who wants to leave his father's house tells the slave of his 

 intention (208). A slave-boy who does not want to desert his master, 

 the prince, is ordered by him to stay at home, and he cries bitterly 

 when the prince leaves (193). Afterward he tells the chief that the 

 son, his friend, has left his father's house (207). 



When a totem-pole was put up, a slave was killed, and buried 

 under the pole (259). A man kills his wife's maid because she lies to 

 him (307). Slaves are described 'as standing in fear of their master 

 (1.179). Slaves may be sold or given away as presents; they are 

 counted among pieces of valuable property (see p. 436). 



When the members of one clan make war upon another clan, they 

 rescue the slaves of their own clan who had been captured at a pre- 

 vious time (259). 



Property. — While the possession of what is called rich food (see 

 p. 406) was essential for maintaining the dignity of the family, the 

 provisions themselves were not counted as constituting wealth. 

 Wealth is obtained by selling provisions for other kinds of goods, 

 which, after the} r have been accumulated, are distributed in the pot- 

 latch. It seems that the ordinary road to wealth was through suc- 

 cess in sea hunting or in land hunting. In a great many cases we are 

 told that the successful hunter who has accumulated a great deal of 

 food sells it for property. Elk skins are most commonly mentioned 

 among valuable objects. Following is a list of objects offered in 

 exchange for food: 



Elk skins, marten garments, sea-otter garments, canoes, raccoon skins, and all kinds 

 of property (-11). 



Elk skins, spoons made of elk antler, slaves, large eoppers, houses full of elk skins, 

 thousands of raccoon skins, and horn spoons (243 . 



Elk skins and all kinds of goods (212). 



