314 
A JOURNEY TO THE 
with their hufbands, to make that an excufe for 
a temporary feparation, when, without any cere- 
mony, they creep out (as is their ufual cuftom 
on thofe occafions) under the eves of that fide of 
the tent at which they happen to be fitting; for 
at thofe times they are not permitted to go in or 
out through the door. This cuftom is fo general- 
ly prevalent among the women, that I have fre- 
quently known fome of the fulky dames leave 
their hufbands and tent for four or five days at 
atime, and repeat the farce twice or thrice in a 
month, while the poor men have never fufpected 
the deceit, or if they have, delicacy on their part 
has not permitted them to enquire into the matter. 
I have known Matonabbee’s handfome wife, who 
eloped from him in May one thoufand feven 
hundred and feventy-one, live thun-nardy, as 
they call it, (that is alone,) for feveral weeks to- 
gether, under this pretence; but as a proof he 
had fome fufpicion, fhe was always carefully 
watched, to prevent her from giving her compa- 
ny to any other man. ‘The Southern Indians are 
alfo very delicate in this point; for though they 
do not force their wives to build a feparate tent, © 
they never lie under the fame clothes during this 
period. It is, however, equally true, that the 
young girls, when thofe fymptoms make their 
firft appearance, generally go a little diftance from 
the other tents for four or five days, and at their 
return wear a kind of veil or curtain, made of 
beads, for fome time after, as a mark of modetty ; 
as 
