106 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
with their stock of furniture from one encamp- 
ment to another. In the performance of this 
duty, as he could not keep pace with the rest of 
the tribe in their movements, he more than once 
nearly perished of hunger. 
These Indians, however, capable as they are 
of behaving thus kindly, affect in their discourse 
to despise the softer sex, and on solemn occasions, 
will not suffer them to eat before them or even 
come into their presence. In this they are coun- 
tenanced by the white residents, most of whom 
have Indian or half-breed wives, but seem afraid 
of treating them with the tenderness or attention 
due to every female, lest they should themselves 
be despised by the Indians. At least, this is the 
only reason they assign for their neglect of those 
whom they make partners of their beds and 
mothers of their children. i 
Both sexes are fond of, and excessively indul- _ 
gent to, their children. The father never punishes 
them, and if the mother, more hasty in her tem- 
per, sometimes bestows a blow or two on a 
troublesome child, her heart is instantly softened 
by the roar which follows, and she mingles her — 
tears with those that streak the smoky face of her 
darling. It may be fairly said, then, that re — 
straint or punishment forms no part of the educa- 
