1897.] PRINCE — THE PASSAMAQUODDY WAMPUM RECORDS. 493 



tribe. All the women and children and disabled persons in the 

 tribe were under the care of the geptins. The chief himself was not 

 allowed to go into battle, but was expected to stay with his people 

 and to give orders in time of danger. 



After the tribal officers had been appointed, the greatest festivi- 

 ties were carried on; during the day they had canoe races, foot 

 races and ball-playing, and during the night, feasting and dancing. 

 The Indians would bet on the various sports, hanging the prizes for 

 each game on a pole. It was understood that the winner of the 

 game was entitled to all the valuables hung on this pole. The fes- 

 tivities often lasted an entire month. 



The Marriage Ceremony. 



The Ancient Rife. 



It was the duty of the young Indian man who wished to marry to 

 inform his parents of his desire, stating the name of the maiden. 

 The young man's father then notified all the relatives and friends of 

 the family that his son wished to marry such and such a girl. If 

 the friends and relations were willing, the son was permitted to offer 

 his suit. The father of the youth prepared a clean skin of the beair, 

 beaver or deer, which he presented to his son. Provided with this, 

 the suitor went to the wigwam of his prospective bride's father and 

 placed the hide at the back of the wigwam or nowteh. The girl's 

 father then notified his relations and friends, and if there was no 

 objection, he ordered his daughter to seat herself on the skin, as a 

 sign that the young man's suit was acceptable. The usual wedding 

 ceremonies were then held, viz., a public feast, followed by danc- 

 ing and singing, which always lasted at least a week. 



The Marriage Ceremony in Later Days. 



After the adoption of the wampum laws the marriage ceremony 

 was much more complicated.^ 



When the young man had informed his parents of his desire to 

 marry and the father had secured the consent of the relations and 

 friends, an Indian was appointed to be the Keloolwett or marriage 

 herald, who, taking the string of wampum called the keioiwawei, 



1 Mitchell interpolated this remark. 



