8 HUGO RIED'S account of the INDIANS 



the lodge took cognizance in the case and decided accord- 

 ing to the testimony produced. But if a quarrel resulted 

 between parties of distant lodges, each cliief heard the 

 witnesses produced by his own people, and then in coun- 

 cil with the chiefs of the opposite side they passed sen- 

 tence. Should they disagree, another chief, impartial, 

 was called in who heard the statements made by the two 

 captains, and he decided alone. There was no appeal from 

 his decision. Whipping was never resorted to as a pun- 

 ishment, restitution being invariably made for damages 

 sustained, in money, food and skins. 



If a woman proved unfaithful to her husband and he 

 caught her in the act, he had a right to put her to death, if 

 he chose, without any interference by any of the tribe. 

 But what was more generally practised, he informed the 

 paramour he was at liberty to keep her, and then he took 

 possession of the other's spouse. The exchange was ad- 

 mitted as legal by all concerned, and the paramour would 

 not object. 



Although they counted by moons, still they had an- 

 other mode for long periods, which was to reckon from 

 the time the sun was farthest north, till he was at his 

 southern extremity, and then back again. Summer was 

 counted from the time frogs were first heard to croak. 

 This was used to count war scrapes by, and under the 

 recollection of the chief. When other tribes had to be 

 chastised, the chief sent an express to all other lodges. 

 They brought up from children a number of males, who 

 were taught to hear long stories by the chief and to repeat 

 them word for word. In this manner they became so 

 perfect as to be able to recite the longest oration any one 

 could produce. 



They were not much given to travel, for they only relate 

 of one who left his people and proceeded north till he 



