12 HUGO RIED'S ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS 



lected all the money which had been paid at her marriage, 

 took it in deputation to the husband's lodge, left it with 

 him and led off the wife, whom they married immediately 

 to another. 



LETTER VIII. 



Birth and Burial. 



Immediately on the birth of a child, the mother and in- 

 fant were purified, in the following manner: In the 

 centre of a hut a large hole was dug, and an immense fire 

 was kindled in which large stones were heated until red- 

 hot. When nothing remained but hot embers and the 

 stones, bundles of wild tansy were heaped on the same 

 and covered all over with earth, with the exception of a 

 small chimney or aperture. The mother had then to 

 stand over the aperture with her child wrapped up in a 

 mat, flannel fashion ; water was then poured by degrees 

 in at the opening which caused immense quantities of steam 

 or vapor, causing the patient to hop and skip a little 

 at first and provoked profuse perspiration afterwards. 

 When no more steam was procurable, the mother and 

 child lay down on the heap, covered up, until the steam- 

 ing was renewed again. Three days was the term of 

 purification, morning and evening being the times of 

 sweating. No food was allowed the mother during that 

 time, and her drink (water) was warmed. She was now 

 allowed to eat of everything at discretion, with the ex- 

 ception of animal food, which was debarred her for two 

 months. Her diet at length complete, three pills were 

 prepared of the size of a musket ball composed of one 

 part of meat and one part of wild tobacco. These swal- 

 lowed, she was allowed to eat meat ; but she was not per- 

 mitted to share her husband's bed until the child was able 

 to run. 



