44 ANTHROPOLOGICAL SURVEY IN ALASKA [eth. ann. 46 



Indians relatively civilized, more than expected, and most speak 

 tolerable English. Have flags, guns, sleep in some cases on iron 

 beds and under mosquito netting, smoke cigarettes and cigars; and 

 even play fiddles. Of course some have also learned the white man's 

 cupidity and vices. 



This day I met with something unexpected, due to perversity of 

 mix-breed nature. Seeing so many Indians present, and after a 

 good reception by them the evening preceding, I thought of utiliz- 

 ing the occasion for taking some measurements. I therefore men- 

 tioned the thing to some of the head men shortly after my arrival 

 and receiving what seemed assent, went to-day to Tanana to 

 get my instruments. On coming back and finding a few of the old 

 men, who were quite friendly, I invited them into the " kashim " 

 (community house) and began to question them on old sites, etc., 

 when in came, probably somewhat under the influence of liquor, 

 a mix-breed to whom I had been introduced the night before and 

 who at that time acted quite civilly, but now coming forward began 

 rather loudly and offensively to question about what I wanted here 

 and about authority, giving me to understand at last quite plainly 

 that he wanted to " be paid " if I was to take any measurements. 

 He claimed to be one of the " chiefs," and I would not be allowed 

 to do anything without his help. His harangue quite disturbed 

 the other Indians, who evidently were both ashamed and afraid 

 of the fellow. And as I would not be coerced into employing and 

 paying him, and there being no one, as I learned, of supreme author- 

 ity, the '"chief" of these Indians being little more than a figurehead, 

 it was decided to give up the attempt at measurements. The rest 

 of the visit was therefore given to further observations and to the 

 witnessing of the potlatch. Chief Joseph (pi. 14), nominally the 

 head of these Yukon Indians, expressed his sorrow and tried to 

 make amends by offering himself. 



The potlatch was evidently in the main a social gathering of 

 the Yukon Indians, with the Tanana natives as visitors. It con- 

 sisted mainly of eating, singing, and dancing, to be terminated 

 by a big " give-away." This latter was witnessed. It proved a 

 disappointing and rather senseless affair. The whole transaction 

 consists in the buying and gathering, and on this occasion giving 

 away, of all sorts of objects, by some one, or several, who have lost 

 a husband, wife, mother, etc., during the preceding year. The pos- 

 sessions of the deceased are included in this and doubtless often 

 transmit disease. All the color of the observance is now gone. 

 The goods — blankets, clothing, fabrics, guns, and many other ob- 

 jects, even pieces of furniture, trunks, or stoves — are gathered in 

 the open and when the time comes are one after another selected 



