88 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



character must have most wonderfully changed, for 

 they now treat their wives well, even love them. For 

 certain misdemeanors they claim the privilege, and 

 exercise it, too, of beating them soundly. If a woman 

 quarrel with another, of whom she is jealous with 

 regard to her husband's affections, she is generally 

 treated by her lord to an interview with the stick. 

 But as a community, they dwell together in amity, 

 loving one another, and taking affectionate interest 

 in their children. 



One day, upon the solicitations of an Indian, I went 

 to his hut to see a native dance. This man was 

 very drunk ; as he approached his hut he darted in 

 and called for his wife. What was my astonishment 

 to see him, instead of pounding her, throw his arm 

 around her neck and kiss her. 



I had been among them two weeks before I knew 

 there were Indians in the woods about me, other than 

 those living along and near the road. But one after- 

 noon, in a hunt among the hills, I discovered four 

 huts, the inmates of which, unless suddenly surprised, 

 hid themselves at my approach. They were dressed 

 very meagerly : a shirt for the men, and for the women 

 a torn skirt. In the woods and in the provision- 

 grounds, I met children, from eight to thirteen years 

 old, entirely naked. These people never appear to 

 the white inhabitants ; they make a few baskets which 

 their neighbors dispose of for them, but they never 

 leave the woods, not having overcome their original 

 savagery. 



Basket-making is the only art they have preserved 

 from the teachings of their ancestors ; but in this they 

 indeed excel. Their baskets have such a reputa- 



