METLAKAHTLA 



2 5 



cleared. The earth was covered with a coat of peat, the 

 accumulation of ages of a thick growth of moss. Be- 

 neath this the soil was red and friable. We strolled 

 about the numerous streets on broad plank walks that 

 reached from side to side above the rocks and stumps. 

 Many of the houses had gardens where were grown po- 

 tatoes, turnips, onions, strawberries, raspberries and cur- 

 rants. The people were clad as well and in much the 

 same way as those of rural villages in New York and 

 New England. A large number of them were gathered 

 upon the wharf when we landed, their big round faces and 

 black eyes showing only a quiet respectful curiosity. We 

 called upon Mr. Duncan at his house and listened to his 

 racy and entertaining conversation. His story was full of 

 interest. At eleven o'clock the church bell was ringing 

 and the people — men, women and children, all neatly and 

 tastefully clad — began to assemble for their Sunday de- 

 votions. Some of the hats of the younger women looked 

 as if fresh from the hands of a fashionable city milliner. 

 Many of the older 

 matrons wore various 

 colored silk handker- 

 chiefs upon their 

 heads. Mr. Duncan 

 preached to his peo- 

 ple in their native 

 tongue, a vague, 

 guttural, featureless 

 sort of language, it 

 seemed. The organ 

 music and the sing- 

 ing were quite equal 

 to what one would 



hear in any rural church at home. The church was built 

 by native carpenters out of native woods, and its large 



INTERIOR OF CHURCH MADE BY INDIANS AT 

 METLAKAHTLA. 



