Ted said nothing, but his eyes were fixed eagerly upon his father. It was
easy to see that he wished to accept the invitation.

"Out there." Tyee Klake pointed toward where the white coast-line seemed
to fade into silvery blue.

"There are many islands; on some lives no one, but we have a village.
Soon it will be nearly deserted, for many of our people rove during the
summer, and wander from one camping-ground to another, seeking the best
game or fish. But Kalitan's people remain always on the island. Him I
take with me to hunt the whale and seal, to gather the berries, and to
trap the little animals who bear fur. We find even seal upon our shores,
though fewer since your people have come among us."

"Which were the best, Russians or Americans?" asked Mr. Strong,
curious to see what the old Indian would say, but the Tyee was not to
be caught napping.

"Men all alike." he said. "Thlinkit, Russian, American, some good, some
bad. Russians used Indians more, gave them hunting and fishing, and only
took part of the skins. Americans like to hunt and fish all themselves
and leave nothing for the Indians. Russians teach _quass_, Americans
teach whiskey. Before white men came, Indians were healthy. They ate
fish, game, berries; now they must have other foods, and they're not good
for Indians here."--he touched his stomach. "Indian used to dress in
skins and furs, now he must copy white man and shiver with cold. He soon
has the coughing sickness and then he goes into the unknown.

"But the government of the Americans is best because it tries to do some