300 EXI'EDITION' TO THE 



ledged as a chief, and that, in this case, a second wife waj 

 indispensable. Fired with the ambition of obtaining higli 

 honours, he resolved to increase his importance by an 

 union with the daughter of an influential man of his tribe. 

 He had accordingly taken a second wife without having 

 ever mentioned the subject to his former companion ; be- 

 ing desirous to introduce his bride into his lodge in the 

 manner which should be least offensive to the mother of 

 his children, for whom he still retained much regard, he 

 introduced the subject in these words : " You know," said 

 he, " that I can love no woman so fondly as I doat upon 

 you. With regret, have I seen you of late subjected to toils, 

 which must be oppressive to you, and from which I would 

 gladly relieve you, yet I know no other way of doing 

 so, than by associating to you in the huubehuld duties 

 one, who shall relieve you from the trouble of entertain- 

 ing the numerous guests, whom my growing importance 

 in the nation collects around me. I have therefore resolv- 

 ed upon taking another wife, but she shall always be sub- 

 ject to your control, as she will always rank in my affec- 

 tions second to you." With the utmost anxiety, and the 

 deepest concern, did his companion listen to this unexpect- 

 ed proposal. She expostulated in the kindest terms, en- 

 treated him with all the arguments which undisguised 

 love and the purest conjugal affection could suggest. She 

 replied to all the objections which his duplicity led him 

 to raise. Desirous of winning her from her opposition, 

 the Indian still concealed the secret of his union with 

 another, while she redoubled all her care to convince him 

 that she was equal to the task imposed upon her. When 

 he again spoke on the subject, she pleaded all the endear- 

 ments of their past life ; she spoke of his former fondness 

 for her, of his regard for her happiness and that of their 

 mutual offspring ; she bade him beware of the consequences 



