The Roof Is Nearly Flat,
Which Seems To Indicate That Rains Are Not Common In This Open Country;
And The
House is not divided into apartments, the fire being in the
middle of the enclosure, and immediately under the bole
In the roof.
The interior is ornamented with their nets, gigs, and other fishing-tackle,
as well as the bow of each inmate, and a large quiver of arrows,
which are headed with flint.
"The Sokulks seem to be of a mild and peaceable disposition,
and live in a state of comparative happiness. The men,
like those on the Kimooenim, are said to content themselves with a
single wife, with whom the husband, we observe, shares the labors
of procuring subsistence much more than is common among savages.
What may be considered an unequivocal proof of their good disposition,
is the great respect which is shown to old age. Among other marks
of it, we noticed in one of the houses an old woman perfectly blind,
and who, we were told, had lived more than a hundred winters.
In this state of decrepitude, she occupied the best position
in the house, seemed to be treated with great kindness,
and whatever she said was listened to with much attention.
They are by no means obtrusive; and as their fisheries supply them
with a competent, if not an abundant subsistence, although they
receive thankfully whatever we choose to give, they do not
importune us by begging. Fish is, indeed, their chief food,
except roots and casual supplies of antelope, which latter,
to those who have only bows and arrows, must be very scanty.
This diet may be the direct or the remote cause of the chief
disorder which prevails among them, as well as among the Flatheads
on the Kooskooskee and Lewis' rivers.
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