CHAPTER XXVI. 
THE SHAS.-TIKA. 
It is extremely difficult to learn from the Indians any comprehensive, 
national name; and in this case it was impossible. Only a mere handful 
of them are left, none of whom remembered their tribal designation, and 
only one white man had ever heard the above or any other, though this one 
is probably correct, being apparently the original of the name “Shasta”, by 
which they are usually known. Sometimes they are called Sai’-wash, from 
their relationship to the Oregon Indians; sometimes also Wai-ri’-ka, from a 
corrupt pronunciation of wai-i'-ka (mountain), their name for Mount Shasta. 
Their ancient dominion was as follows: On the Klamath from Bogus 
Creek down to Scott River; on the Shasta, Little Shasta, and Yreka Creek ; 
and in Scott Valley. To this Mr. E. Steele adds the Upper Salmon and a 
part of Rogue River in Oregon. He also states that before their organiza- 
tion was broken up by the whites, one chief exercised authority over all 
this territory, with his head-quarters in Scott Valley. As a nation they are 
different from the California Indians proper, being more related to the Gre- 
gon races, in that they had more solidarity, fewer infinitesimal subdivisions, 
(though there was always a fierce feud between the Scott and Shasta Valley 
sections); hence this statement as to the extended authority of the chief is 
probable, at least for war-times. 
The Shastika are a small-boned race now, at least the men are, not 
averaging above five feet five inches in stature. Some of their names point 
to this, as Little John, Little Tom. The men are conspicuously smaller 
and weaker than the women, and not so numerous, which is unquestionably 
a result of the ferocious feuds formerly existing that destroyed the picked 
fighting men. Their features are not so coarse and cloddish as those of the 
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