56 A SECOND TROY. 



to assist the women, who often treat them m a 

 most merciless manner. The females take an 

 active part in the wars ; they not only stimu- 

 late the valour of the men, but even support 

 them in the battle. 



Besides the desire of booty, the most fre- 

 quent occasion of warfare is revenge. One 

 murder can only be atoned by another ; but it 

 is indifferent whether the murderer or one of 

 his relations fall, — the custom merely requires a 

 man for a man ; should the murdered person 

 be a female, a female is required in return. A 

 case which would appear inconceivable has 

 actually occurred, — that one of these most dis- 

 gusting creatures has occasioned a struggle 

 similar to that of Troy for the fair Helen, and 

 an advantageous peace has been obtained by 

 the cession of one of these monsters. The 

 Kalush, who would probably look coldly on 

 our most lovely females, finds his filthy coun- 

 trywomen, with their lip-troughs, so charming, 

 that they often awaken in him the most vehe- 

 ment passion. In proof of this, I remember an 

 occurrence which took place during our resi- 

 dence in Sitka, among a horde of Kalushes 



