THE INDIANS OF CAPE FLATTERY. 61 



have never changed ; they are as wild and treacherous as ever ; and, but for the 

 fear of punishment and the love of gain, vpould exterminate every settler that 

 attempted to make his residence among them. Frequently, since the establishment 

 of the reservation, they have made threats of hostilities ; but the councils of those 

 who desired to acquire property or hoped for favors have prevailed, and they have 

 contented themselves with simple threats. Improvement in their customs, and 

 habits, must be gradual, and the work of time and patient perseverance on 

 the part of those delegated by the Government to reside among them and look 

 after their welfare. They have steadily opposed everything that has been 

 done or attempted for their benefit, and even now, though they see that the 

 promises made to them by their agent have been, in great part, realized, they 

 are totally indifferent as to whether anything more is to be done, and in no 

 case volunteer a helping hand. Their ancient history is wrapped in an impene- 

 trable obscurity — that of a more recent date I have endeavored to exhibit; their future 

 can be read in the annals of the New England emigrants. The steady wave 

 setting to our western shores will have its due effect upon the Indian races, and in 

 the lapse of another century the places that now know them will know them no 

 more. 



Mythology. — The Makahs believe in a Supreme Being, who is termed by them 

 Cha-batt-a Ha-tartstl, or Ha-tartstl Cha-batt-a, the Great Chief who resides above. 

 The name of this Great Chief, or Divine Being, is never given, although they have 

 a name ; but they must not speak it to any except those who have been initiated 

 into their secret rites and ceremonies. They have no outward forms of religion, 

 but each one addresses the Supreme Being by himself, and generally retires to 

 the depth of the woods, or some cave, for the purpose. Intermediate spirits, or 

 familiars, are supposed to guard the destinies of individuals, and to manifest 

 themselves at certain times by visions, signs, and dreams. These are called in 

 the jargon Tamanawas, and the receiving of a revelation is termed "seeing the Tama- 

 nawas."^ I never with certainty have kno\vn an Indian to address himself to the 

 Supreme Being until recently, while in a canoe with a chief named Klaplanhie, 

 or Captain John, He was taken with a violent fit of sneezing, and as soon as he re 

 covered he repeated aloud several short sentences, accompanying each with a blow- 

 ing noise from his mouth. I asked him what he was saying'? He replied that 

 he was asking the Ha-tartstl Cha-batt-a not to kiU him by sneezing, but to let 

 him live longer. I have on other occasions, however, noticed that the Indians, 

 upon sneezing, repeat a few words, and think it very probable they all do as John 

 said he did — ask the Great Spirit not to kill them. John told me that, if they 

 did not utter this brief petition, the top of their heads would be blown off 

 when they sneezed.^ The same chief informed me, during a recent conversation 



' This word, whicli in Chinook means the practice of shamanism, in the jargon of the coast em- 

 braces everything supernatural. — G. G. 



' A similar custom existed among the Peruvians, and runs through nearly all modern Europe. 

 For the antiquity and universality of some superstition connected with sneezing, v. Eneycl. Brit, 

 also Eneycl. Metrop., and Rees' Eneycl. — G. G. 



