Part 43

Hu hu hu hu hu, there was a great noise of guns. When they got near, the sound of the war songs came rolling along. In Waters’s canoe the highest war song was sung. [1063] When they landed they brought in many slaves. Among them was the great chief, Ya′koeʟas.

At that time they went up into the inlet. They spent many days in it. And when they smelt smoke some went out to scout. They then saw the house, and before daybreak they set out for the house in a line.

When they got near a white man’s dog barked at them. At that time A′nkustᴀ [1064] performed as shaman. He then made a threatening motion toward the dog. It stopped barking. And it came among them and licked them.

When they got near they shot at them. Hu hu hu hu hu, they finished shooting and ran in. Some went through the doorway and some went in through the sides of the house. They dropped in quickly in any way. They seized at once upon those inside.

By and by one of them seized Ya′koeʟas. He threw him from him, and he almost fell on his hands near by. But he did not loosen his hands. Those in the house did not know, on account of the confusion, what they were doing. One lay upon some one and called for his family. Others pulled away his arms. [1065]

They now got all into their hands. At that time they lay upon some slaves owned by Ya′koeʟas who had married each other. The woman then said to her husband: “Cut him up among them.” And her husband said to her: “Any place where water is drunk is all right.” Their minds were not disturbed, because they were slaves already.

Then the chief, Ya′koeʟas, refused to leave the place. The Kloo people then seized him, and he threw them off with a jerk. He then moved himself little by little in the place where he had lain. He moved toward an ax that was there.

After they had struggled with him for a while one of them found a big coil of rope near the door. They tied him then. And they carried him to the canoe. At that time he was put into Waters’s canoe. The canoe then moved as if some one shook it. It shook because he was afraid, and they were afraid of him.

The one who had escaped from among the Kloo people first captured by the Bellabella then threw a spear at him out of another canoe, and he raised his palm toward it, so that the spear ran into his palm. On that account he also struck Ya′koeʟas in the face with a paddle. He [Ya′koeʟas] did not turn away. He held up his head as before.

After he had been shaking [with fear] for a while Waters put on him a cedar-bark ring that they had taken. Then, knowing that the cedar-bark ring protected him from insult, he found that his life was safe.

When it was broad daylight the Bellabella said that some people lived below on the inlet. Two canoes of Those-born-at-Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o [1066] started off. These were not anxious for their lives, because they had taken nothing.

And after they had gone in that direction for a while they saw smoke. Then Tcîsgoa′n led, and two others went with him. A child was playing at the time at the side of the house farthest from that to which he came. He then ran toward him. And he chased him to the house. Unable to catch him, he chased him into the house. When he took hold of his mother he took him and his mother both. Those in the house were frightened. He-who-was-going-to-be-Gia′gudjañ came in after him.

One person went behind the house. Five persons went out, and he seized one. He was an old man. And, when he laid hold of the other four, a terrible fellow (a Bellabella) got hold of him. That (i.e., the Haida) was Gilᴀsta′gu. He let these four go. Then the Bellabella began to stab him. After he had struck him four times his younger brother came to him. And he also turned quickly upon him. And another one who came up with a pistol he slapped on his nose. He knocked him down. Then he (the Haida) shot him. He shot true, but he did not feel it. He then struck him with his own knife. After he had done this several times he fell, and he cut off his head. They say that the trunk afterward got up.

They then went to look for those who had gone into the woods. They shouted out near by: “Ho ho ho′ho ho′, I am Łtᴀ′nqawōns.” There they got six persons. They also killed one.

When they went away and passed out of the inlet they saw a canoe in the distance. They then remained behind a point. They talked jealously as to which canoe should take it. There were four. Three were women. They then began to shoot at them.

Then they upset it, and Gi′tgoa swam over to one whom they had wounded. The man ran then into the woods, and they pursued him and struck him in the back of the head with a stone. And they also broke his legs. They cut off his head. But they took the women. Making an end of this, they went away. Afterward they went home.

After they came to Kloo all the chiefs talked over where they would have their fort. They discussed the merits of a certain island. By and by they all thought Town-fort [1067] was a good one, because it was within easy reach of Tꜝā′łdī, [1068] whither they went after salmon.

The men then went to it. After they had been putting up house frames for a while, they also brought cedar planks there. Then they put them up. Afterward they also brought the women there. They worked upon the houses. After they had worked upon them for a while they were done.

After they had lived there for a while an old Bellabella man whom they had taken died. They then dragged his body to a steep place. Just before they threw it over they cut off the head. Then they threw him down. And his little grandchild almost pushed one of the Kloo men over. He grasped something at the edge of the cliff.

After they had lived there for a while they went to Skedans to get a wife for the chief’s child, and they stayed there all night. On the next day they came away. And, when they came in sight of the fort, they (the fort people) saw Kūdjū′ł (the woman they had come for) sitting in the canoe. Their minds feeling good, they sang a paddling song. When evening came her father-in-law called the people to give them Indian tobacco. When they had the tobacco in their mouths some said one to another: “To-night we will fool them.” And they went home.

After we had lain in bed for a while all at once the fort moved. There was a great catching up of weapons. Two Kloo people were shouting behind thin rocks which stood near the fort. They heard at the fort the echo of their voices resounding from the shore. They said that it was the Bellabella.

They then tied up the slaves. And an old man living down toward the shore added lies to it. He said that canoes had come below and gone away from him. By and by a shaman who was there performed. He had a knife in his hand. They sang a song for him there. Some spirits straightway went out of him. He said he could not find anything terrible by striking with his knife.

A brave chief of the Town-of-Djī′gua people had his house at a distance from them. They shouted to encourage him as he came from it. They made a sound [like a snare drum] in front of the houses: “A-a-a-a-a-a wa-a-a-a-a-a.” He came down with a knife to meet anyone [who might be there]. He passed down the trail that leads from the upper inlet and came quickly out upon the trail on the side toward the sea.

At that time some went away from the fort. They carried the news to Skedans. They came quickly the next day to help them. And they landed there. There they gave them a great deal to eat.

When fall came they were at Tꜝā′łdī. In the summer after the following winter a slave that they had, whom young men used to watch, began to defecate in bed so that they were afraid of him. He did this because he had planned to get away. By and by he escaped with four women. And they launched canoes and looked for him. They could not find him anywhere. He went off with a gun, a cartridge box, and a blanket.

And some Masset chiefs were also there. They had expected to trade [the runaways] for some Kloo people that they had taken. Those also went away. They then took two slaves from Qōgī′s. [1069] There they also took up weapons against each other.

Afterward, when the planting was over and the salmon berries were ripe, they started southward. They again fished for halibut. Not the smallest human being remained behind. And, after they had gone along for a while, they landed at the place where they were always accustomed to fish. They fished there. After the fishing had gone on for a while they stopped and went away. They then landed at a certain long sandy beach.

And Gîtku′n sent some young men after something that they had forgotten at the place where they had fished. A part of them also went after salmon berries, and some hunted. And, while they (the young men) were on the way one discovered mats belonging to the Bellabella spread out to dry at the foot of the trees standing back of the shore. And the two who were sent in search reached the place where those were sleeping from whom they had parted and escaped. They came to know about the enemy.

He (the head man) went at once toward the place where they had landed. And he discovered enemies about that place. The Town-of-Djī′gua people immediately went thither in two big canoes. And Those-born-at-Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o followed. And, when those who had gone, came into the inlet they saw the enemy unobserved by the latter. They then got off their canoes for them. And before they got opposite some one shot at them. They then began shooting into them.

Then they pursued [the Bellabella] who led them along to where there were eight more canoes in the woods. And the Town-of-Djī′gua people began to watch in front of the canoes. At evening Those-born-at-Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o also came there. After they had been there for a while, Lda′ogwañ [1070] called out from among the Bellabella: “Father, are you in one of those canoes? I am Lda′ogwañ.” Then Waters asked: “Why is there such a crowd of people?” “Some want peace; part want war.” And he said to his daughter: “People always use feathers in making peace. They are inviolable.”

After she had talked [to the Bellabella] they heard the sound of a canoe in the darkness. Then two persons put feathers on the chiefs. And one of them asked for Gîtku′n, but they pointed out to him a different one. [1071] He then put feathers on him first. But afterward he put feathers on the chiefs.

Then Lda′ogwañ said: “Do not let Skîtg̣adē′s talk, father. The Bellabella are afraid only of his voice.” A while after this Skîtg̣adē′s stood up. “Wawayiê′la, Wawayiê′la are you sure of peace, sure of peace? then let me hear the sound of some peace drum.” Some one at once beat on the thwart of his canoe. “Alas! that is a poor peace drum.” [1072]

After the night had worn on for a while day dawned, and the Bellabella took to their canoes. After they had begun to launch their canoes and had begun to get into them, those who had come to fight went away. The Bellabella also went after them. The Bellabella man who had escaped from Sea-grass town was with them.

After they had paddled almost past them they shot to one side of the Bellabella. They again put in their cartridges and again they shot. They then sang a chasing song. And they left the Bellabella behind.

Not long before daybreak those who had gone to fight came around the point. They said they had come near enemies. While they were still telling the news the warriors (that is, the Bellabella) also came. They gathered at an island that lay seaward from them. The land is called Stiū′djîn. [1073]

At that time Wawayiê′la asked Lda′ogwañ: “Do people always carry out what Gîtku′n bids?” And she said: “Yes, one of his uncles always speaks good words for him. He (the uncle) will come.”

By and by Lā′ma went out with three men. He had a great feather bag that Gîtku′n owned under his arm. He stood up in front of the place where they were. At that time the slave who escaped from Kloo had a yellow cedar-bark blanket over his head in the stern of Wawayiê′la’s canoe. He tried to hide himself. They then left a broad space open for Lā′ma between the ten canoes which were there, but he went in at another place between the large canoes. Lā′ma recognized the one who had escaped, jumped toward him, and seized him by the hair. “Are you Gia′oîstîs?” he said to him. and he pulled his hair up and down. The Bellabella looked at him.

By and by he put feathers on them. He put feathers on Wawayiê′la. He also put feathers on Gūnana′otx̣a. After he had put feathers on all of the chiefs he went in.

After they had looked on a while two Bellabella came in the canoe. All then went down to the beach. One Bellabella jumped ashore, but they picked up the other, taking hold of him by the nose. They made fun of him. But Lā′ma and another remained with the Bellabella. They took one into Gîtku′n’s house; one they took into the house of Waters. [1074]

By and by the Bellabella started toward the place where the camp was. Presently they came in. Then all were afraid. By and by they got in front of them. After they had been there a while, Ya′koeʟas went and stood outside. What he said when he talked in the foreign tongue was: “Bellabella; why, Bellabella, do you let yourselves be killed on my account? Come in nearer.” When he ceased talking all picked up their anchors and placed themselves farther in.

After some time had passed, a [secret-society] eagle made a noise behind the town. Those in the canoes became ashamed. [1075] After they had held their heads down for a while Gūnana′otx̣a stood up in one canoe. After he had sung a song by himself they began to sing for him. At that time he jumped up and down as he danced.

Wa⁺ u⁺ ho ya ē waho yo ya ha⁺ wa yä yī wa wo häyä′ ī ha wä Lasaxā′nokwa ʟa sūwa ō hī ōx̣iä wa hā′ ya ē, etc. [1076]

At that time they took Ya′koeʟas out. They brought Lda′ogwañ ashore at once. Afterward all came ashore. Then the women carried their things up. The things (guns) might go off against each other [therefore the men held themselves ready]. The Bellabella also held their guns. They took up their things into the houses into which they had invited them. They carried off their mats into the woods. [1077]

The Bellabella were hungry. “Come and eat halibut after having had a long fast.” And that day they went off. After the others had left the uncle of a child that [the Haida] had captured gave them a Skidegate man and much property for it. They now became good friends forever. They ceased to fight with the Bellabella people. And the following day they returned.

Here is the whole story about this.

WAR BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF KLOO AND THE GÎTÎ′SDA

[Told by Abraham, of Those-born-at-Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o]

After they had spent some time in preparation they started off—Those-born-at-Skedans, [1078] the Town-of-Djī′gua people, [1079] and Those-born-at-Qꜝā′dᴀsg̣o. [1080] They spent the night on the open sea. When they approached Gîtgia′gᴀs [1081] day dawned for them. They were in eight canoes.

Then four went sailing southward of them along in front. And then they passed in at Gîtgia′gᴀs island, which stretched out before them. After a little while the noise of guns arose there. Afterward three persons came along in a canoe, the one in the middle standing up. He was a Kitkatla man, who also called himself an Eagle. [1082]

He asked them then: “What war is this? What war is this? I am Lawā′y.” He then invited us. He invited the chief, Gîtku′n, and all. These people were going to hunt sea otter. He gave them a great deal of food. [1083] And they stayed there over night. During the night plenty of salmon [1084] came in. The next day they went away.

They kept then out at sea. They landed at Point Qᴀ′lg̣a-i. They now began to keep the war rules there. The next morning they began to drink sea water. [1085] They had three shamans. After they had drunk sea water for a while G̣ᴀ′ndox’s-father [1086] performed. He said then: “War people, which will be good? Here is Town-singers; here is Days.” [1087]

By and by he told the war people to get their paddles in a hurry. And they got their paddles. And they carried him away on their paddles from where he sat on the sand. He then looked at them. After some [other power] had gone out of him Łᴀ′gua [1088] went in. He told them to put their hands upon his hair. All did so at once. His hair was long. Very many warriors pulled his hair. When they let go he had few hairs left.

Afterward another performed. After they had sung for him a while he rolled over and over in front of the eight fires which stood in a line. When he came to the last one, he said “wa” in pain, because they were going to leave one dead.

On the next day they went away. And they stayed at Diâ′g̣ᴀl all night. On the day after that they reached the mouth of the inlet. They hunted now for a suitable place to land canoes, because they were cold at night. Then they landed the canoes. At daybreak they brought up two buckets of sea water, a small bucket and a large bucket. And, while they drank, Gᴀ′ndox’s-father performed. He again asked the war people: “Which will be good? Here is Town-singers. Here is Days.” And, without thinking, they chose Days.

After they had sat there for a while Gᴀ′ndox’s-father said: “To the woods, to the woods. I feel strange because my eye twitches.” And after they had gone into the woods a canoe came along. After it, another; after it, another. Lo! seven canoes passed in front of them. Those were the Gîtî′sda people. They could not do anything. They were waiting for the day that the shaman had appointed. Although the [Haida] canoes stuck out [of the woods] they did not see them.

During a previous war expedition a man whose wife was steering for him passed in front of the place where they had landed. And the woman came toward them. After she had come along for a while, picking berries, she discovered the war canoes. She turned about at once and ran away. Her husband in the canoe held a gun. At that time six of them chased her. He-who-was-going-to-be-Gia′gudjañ ran in after the woman. By and by he shot [the man]. He floated still upon the water. They pulled him in. Then, however, they shot into him and killed him.

On this night they camped at the same place where the person had been shot. When day broke, a white canoe sail passed up in the middle of the inlet. On that night they landed farther up. Lda′ogwañ [1089] acted as pilot. They were near the place to which they were bound.

They went along that night and stole up on the side opposite the fort of those that they were going against. And those who went in advance jumped off under a cliff. They got off where two canoes were anchored. They pulled the canoes off. The fort people were gathering salal-berries. And they smashed the canoes. On the shore near them a slight crackling noise was heard.

Day began to dawn. Then they landed a little way off from this, near the place whither they were bound. And two were sent to reconnoiter. They came back at once on the run. They said that there were very many salmon hooks stuck into the ground at the edge of the water.

They now got off the canoes. I also got off with them. They crossed a salmon creek in a crowd. Those who were friends kept together. Two persons acted as leaders. These gave commands. They told them to sit down. They sat down at once. By and by one of those who had gone scouting came to them. He searched in his box, and they thought he was looking for a weapon. Presently a crackling arose in the woods, and they lay on the ground.

By and by, when they said “hūk,” [1090] they ran into the house. I went in with them. Wa wa wa wa, they tried to take each other for slaves. Presently all got out. They discovered it [their mistake]. They then went out at once. And Gia′gudjañ’s companions came along at the same time. [1091] Then [one canoe] had gone after some who went to pick berries, and all went after it.

They followed them then for a while. They went to the place where the canoe was to get the mats that were there. And they jumped off and vied one with another in getting the mats. A certain one got off last. While they were standing about in the place where the mats had lain [he saw] a new mat, and he was glad to have discovered it and went thither. There two women were lying. He then seized them. He raised his voice and called his name. When they came there and reached the two women they were sound asleep on the top of the rock where they were sitting.

When they took them into the canoes one of them talked with Lda′ogwañ. [1092] She afterward said to the warriors that they might take the fort. “There are no guns there,” she said. They then placed themselves behind a long, narrow point on the inlet above the fort. From there they looked at the fort.

After they had been there some time Skîtg̣adē′s [1093] stood up and said that he would go there. He summoned the brave men out of all the canoes to go with him. They went then with him, the brave ones. And they gave out the following plan: “We are going toward the place where they always steam hemlock bark.” And they told the rest to follow them.

Coming along as if they were visitors, they moved their paddles slowly. The people of the fort gambled in lines without paying any attention to them. When they came near land the remainder also came on. But they still did not concern themselves about them.

When they got near those who were in advance discharged their guns. And the remainder also landed there. Hu hu hu hu, they shot into them. Some had fled from the fort. They all landed in fright on the shore opposite the back of the fort.

A man of the Gîtî′sda people then did the fighting. He ran about on the top of the fort. Presently he shot a Kloo man dead. And, as he ran about on the tops of the houses, they shot him, so that he fell down between them. Two boys were with him. They went back a short distance from the fort and began to shoot down upon them (the Haida) from above.

Now they (the Kloo people) fled. Seven canoes went out to sea at once. We placed ourselves in hiding close by. By and by some one shouted from out at sea: “They are running down to the fort.” These were three Kloo men who had hidden themselves there. At that time they enslaved two children.

We went thither. Those that were out at sea also came in. They started at once to seize the fort. Hu hu hu hu hu, they went into the houses in a crowd. At that time I went for tobacco only. They enslaved all who were sitting in the houses. They took all sorts of things.

Presently some one shouted: “Î′ldjiwas’s father [1094] fell.” They immediately went to the canoes. When I passed between the houses I came upon a dead body lying there. And one who came after me cut off the head. I then moved down the face of a steep place toward the sea in a sitting posture. A part of the people were off on the water in their canoes. I was glad when I got into [a canoe]. [1095]

Gia′gudjañ captured a box. After he brought it out and while he was sitting near it he was shot. He was wounded. They got him in. Half of them they could not get away from the fort. By and by three stood in Reef-canoe. [1096] One began to load their guns. Presently they started toward it. Sky [1097] steered for them. As they went [toward the fort] he shot toward the place from which they had been firing.

By and by they reached the fort. After they had gone up into it they started back. At once they shot at them from the place out of which they had shot before. After a while they got out safely. When they got away the [Gîtî′sda] people came out to the fort. They (the Haida) took away a small part of the property. The body of the Kloo man was left there.

Now they started away. The two canoes of Gîtku′n [1098] and his sons went empty. The other people sang songs of victory. Then a mat sail came along toward them. And one was in the canoe. Gîtku′n enslaved him.