152 COOK S VOYAGE TO MARCH, 



seemed to be under the direction of one man and 

 woman, and the children in the like state of subordi- 

 nation as in civilized countries. 



It will not be improper in this place to take no- 

 tice, that we were eye-witnesses of a fact, which, as 

 it was the only instance we saw of any thing like 

 jealousy among them, shows at the same time that not 

 only fidelity but a degree of reserve is required from 

 the married women of consequence. At one of the 

 entertainments of boxing, Omeeah was observed to 

 rise from his place two or three times, and to go up 

 to his wife with strong marks of displeasure, ordering 

 her, as it appeared to us from his manner, to with- 

 draw. Whether it was, that being very handsome 

 he thought she drew too much of our attention ; or 

 without being able to determine what other reason 

 he might have for his conduct, it is but justice to say 

 that there existed no real cause of jealousy. How- 

 ever, she kept her place ; and when the entertain- 

 ment was over joined our party, and soliciting some 

 trifling presents, was given to understand that we had 

 none about us, but that if she would accompany us 

 toward our tent she should return with such as she 

 liked best. She was accordingly walking along with 

 us, which Omeeah observing, followed in a violent 

 rage, and seizing her by the hair began to inflict with 

 his fists a severe corporal punishment. This sight, 

 especially as we had innocently been the cause of it, 

 gave us much concern, and yet we were told that it 

 would be highly improper to interfere between man 

 and wife of such high rank. We were, however, -not 

 left without the consolation of seeing the natives at 

 last interpose ; and had the farther satisfaction of 

 meeting them together the next day, in perfect good 

 humour with each other ; and what is still more sin- 

 gular, the lady would not suffer us to remonstrate 

 with her husband on his treatment of her, which we 

 were much inclined to do, and plainly told us that 

 he had done no more than he ought. 



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