6 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 8/ 



what it was all about, and what those old men were here for. She 

 said, " My daughter, these men are here to deliver a message, asking 

 the consent of your father that you marry a male of their family.' 

 And I want to tell you that your father has consented. However, he 

 will speak to you later." My father said to me. " My daughter, these 

 men have come here to ask my consent to your marriage. Five horses 

 and other things will be sent over in the morning. I have consented. 

 Now I myself want to hear what you think." I made no reply. I was 

 frightened. But at any rate the horses were brought over the next 

 morning. My male relatives were called to select their horses, but 

 before doing that the}- called me in and asked me what I thought. 

 My paternal uncle started to talk to me saying how^ well my parents 

 had brought me up, and stated that marriage by purchase was con- 

 sidered one of the greatest and happiest events in one's life." He said, 

 " I know that this is your father's desire. As you can see, he is get- 

 ting on in years. His eyesight is not very good. This young man will 

 look after the necessary w-ork for your father. However, we do not 

 wish to do anything against your will. Now, let us hear from you." 

 I then said to them, " Since my father has consented to the ofifer of 

 marriage by purchase, I also agree to the proposed marriage. I love 

 my father, and whatever he deems best for me, that I will do. I can- 

 not refuse my father's wishes for those reasons." ^ They were all 

 glad to hear me, showing it by their sincere approval. 



They then proceeded to select their own horses, one at a time. They 

 were all good saddle horses. They in turn gave their own horses. 

 My people saddled one of the horses on which I rode over to my 

 future husband's people, leading the four other horses. My future 

 husband's Avomen folk met me near their camps and I dismounted. 

 They carried me on the blanket the rest of the way, and let me down 

 at the entrance of my future husband's tipi. I walked in and sat be- 

 side him. This young man was no sweetheart of mine : he was a 

 stranger to me : he never had come to see me when I was still single. 

 I wondered if I would learn to love him in the future. After some 

 little time the women brought in many shawls, dresses, rings, brace- 

 lets, leggings, and moccasins. They then had me change clothes. They 

 braided my hair * and painted my face with red dots on my cheeks. 

 When I was completely arrayed in my marriage clothes I was told 



* On Cheyenne marriage see Grinnell, loc. cit., vol. i, pp. 137 et seq. 

 " See footnote 2, on page 5. 



^ If Grinnell is right, this reply is not institutional but personal. From my 

 own field-work among the Plains Cree. I can vouch that there at least the girl 

 has the final say. 



* For the braiding of the liair of Cheyenne females see Grinnell, loc. cit., vol. I, 

 pp. 59, 60. 



