SELLING A WIFE, 303 



great ingenuity to obtain some variety. The Indians 

 whom we had lately so unceremoniously dispossessed 

 of their habitation, speedily constructed a good winter 

 lodge at a short distance, and departed thither, bag 

 and baggage. It was painful to see the load the 

 women were made to carry ; but it is the common 

 practice, and said to be the reason why the tribe we 

 were now among are called " Slave Indians." With 

 them, if a man desire to despoil his neighbour of his 

 wife, a trial of strength, of a curious nature, ensues : 

 they seize each other by the hair, which is worn long 

 and flowing, and thus strive for the mastery, until 

 one or another cries " peccavi." Should the victor be 

 the envious man, he has to pay a certain number of 

 skins for the husband-changing woman, who has 

 herself no voice in the matter, but is handed over like 

 any other piece of goods, and generally with the same 

 unconcern. There's a pretty story for you, ladies ! 

 How would you like such arrangements in our land 

 of a queen ? The old Indian who assisted the fisher- 

 man was too remarkable a character to pass un- 

 mentioned. During periods of general starvation, 

 which are unfortunately but too frequent in this 

 region, he had devoured eleven or thirteen persons, 

 among whom (charity begins at home) were, I believe, 

 his parents, one wife, and the children of two. He 



