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 are 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 things for the Indian. It teaches our boys useful things in the schools, and, if some of its people are bad, some Indians are bad, too. Men all alike," he repeated with the calm stoicism of his race. "The government is far away," said Mr. Strong, "and should not be blamed for the doings of all its servants. I should like to see this island home of yours, and think we must accept your invitation; shall we, Ted?" he smiled at the boy. "Yes, indeed; thank you, sir," said Ted, and he and Kalitan grinned at each other happily. "We shall stay in camp until the blue jay comes," said the old chief, smiling, "and then seek the village of my people." "What does the blue jay mean?" asked Ted, timidly, for he was very much in awe of this grave old man. Kalitan said something in Thlinkit to his uncle, and the old chief, looking kindly at the boy, replied with a nod: "I will tell you the story of the blue jay," he said.