294 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



Double Jig, then followed in regular order the same dances as 

 those of the New Year's feast. After a frolic of several hours' 

 duration some of the dancers grew weary and returned to 

 the banquet room for refreshments. And thus for three days 

 and three nights the festivities continued. 



THE WEDDING SPEECHES 



During a lull in the dancing on the afternoon of the wedding 

 day Little Pine's sister went up to him and said: "Brother, 

 may I kiss you? Are you ashamed?" He answered: "No." 

 She kissed him, took his wife's hand, placed it in his with her 

 own over both, and addressed the young wife : 



"As you have taken my place, do to him as I have done; 

 listen to him, work for him, and, if need be, die for him." 



Then she lowered her head and began to cry. 



Ne-Geek, The Otter, Neykia's oldest brother, then went up 

 to Little Pine and asked : 



"Are you man enough to work for her, to feed her, and to 

 protect her?" 



"Yes," replied the new-made husband. 



The Otter put the husband's hand on his sister's hand, 

 and — looking him straight in the eyes . . . shook his 

 clenched fist at him and said in a threatening tone . . . "Be- 

 ware!" 



In the midst of one of the dances Oo-koo-hoo walked up 

 to the "band" and knocked up the fiddle to command silence. 

 Pulling his capote tightly about him, he assumed a dignified 

 attitude, slowly looked round the room to see that he had 

 the attention of all present, and began to address the 

 assemblage : 



"The step which Shing-wauk has taken is a very serious 

 one. Now he will have to think for two. Now he must sup- 

 ply the wants of two. Now he will realize what trouble is. 



