512 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [Ein. ann. 46 



sarv. After marriage the brothers-in-law on both sides become 

 friendly, associate, make feasts, and exchange gifts, aiding each other 

 on all occasions. No quarrels take place among them, nor indeed 

 among any near relations. The whole forms a posse, a body, a sup- 

 port in times of trial, need and danger. 



The right of divorce lies altogether with the husband. If a man 

 has children by his wife he seldom puts her away even for adultery, 

 the greatest offense. He will punish, but retain her on that account. 

 Should they separate, all the larger children — that is, those who 

 required no nurse and were able to take care of themselves — would 

 remain with the man and the smaller ones depart with the woman. 

 When the women have no children they are turned off without any 

 scruple for much less offenses, or from jealous}' by young husbands. 

 Elder Indians require the labor of their women; therefore seldom 

 willingly discharge them. Should he choose to do so, however, no 

 one has a right to object, nor is any other consent asked; they are 

 his property and he can do as he pleases with them. Occasionally 

 they part from them a year or so and take them back afterwards. 

 No property is given to the woman in the event of a separation. 



Music 



Their music on the flute referred to herein merits some notice. 

 The instrument is made of wood, about the length and size of an 

 octave flute, and the mouth on the principle of a whistle. There 

 are four finger holes above and one underneath for the thumb. No 

 tune or anything approaching it can be produced from this instru- 

 ment, yet they can sound different calls in a shrill tone. It is played 

 in several of their dances as an accompaniment to singing, not, how- 

 ever, producing any sound accordant with the voice. The principal 

 purpose for which it is made and used is love making. By the 

 various notes the following intelligence can be conveyed by the man 

 outside to the woman inside the lodge, without any of the inmates 

 except her knowing for whom they are intended, as the whistle can 

 be distinctly heard at the distance of 100 yards or more: " I am here 

 waiting for you," " I am watched," " Remain," " I will come again, "' 

 " Meet me to-morrow," and several other communications of a like 

 nature. The meanings of these different sounds are agreed upon 

 and understood by the parties beforehand. As the instrument admits 

 of considerable variation in its tone and note all their calls are 

 different, and no other person would understand them rightly. 

 They might suspect some assignation to be going forward, but would 

 not know with or between whom. Songs and this whistle are used 

 in their serenades and dances. 



