THROUGH WONDERLAND . 
83 
“ The Chilkats are comparatively an industrious people. On the mainland 
we haye none of the deer which so densely populate the islands, owing, it is 
said, to the presence of bears and wolves ; but we have the white mountain 
goat, which, while it is lamb, is delicious meat. From its black horns the 
finest carved spoons are made, and its pelt, when washed and combed, forms a 
necessary part of the Indian’s bedding and household furniture. The comb¬ 
ings are made by the women into rolls similar to those made by machinery at 
home. Then, with a great basket of these white rolls on one side, and a basket 
on the other to receive the yarn, a woman sits on the floor, and, on her bared 
T’LINKET WAR CANOE. 
knee, with her palm, rolls it into cord. This they dye in most brilliant colors 
made of roots, grasses and moss, and of different kinds of bark. 
“ It is of this yarn that the famous Chilkat dancing-blanket is made. This is 
done by the women with great nicety and care. The warp, all white, is hung 
from a handsomely carved upright frame. Into it the bright colors are 
wrought by means of ivory shuttles. The work is protected during the tedious 
course of its manufacture by a covering resembling oiled silk, made from the 
dressed intestines of the bear. Bright striped stockings of this yarn are also 
knitted on little needles whittled from wood.” 
An illustration of a dancing-blanket is given on page 81. These are made 
by several of the T’linkit tribes ; but the Chilkats so predominate in the manufact- 
