148 TlMEHRf. 



there was no quarrelling, although every one was in- 

 clincd to talk and boast more than usual. 



During the three days that this coming-of-age festival 

 occupied, the young initiate felt very sore, although he 

 strutted about encumbered with a necklace of peccaries' 

 teeth, a feather crown on his head and a belt of rattling 

 seeds round his waists He had shown his manhood by 

 enduring pain and then by drinking like his elders, but 

 at last was obliged to lay down in his hammock like a log. 

 Through it all however he looked unconcerned and 

 assumed an air of braggadocio, notwithstanding that his 

 wounds Vvere very painful and his internal organs upside 

 down as it were. 



After his recovery he took pride in his manhood, but 

 to complete his felicity he must have a wife. Other 

 men had wives and he was bound to get at least one. 

 In the next benab a girl was living, whom he had seen 

 on several occasions, who was foremost in presenting 

 him with piwarrie at the feast, and had drank after him. 

 Now that he felt a wife to be necessary he spoke to her. 

 No long courtship was needed — she was willing, her 

 parents did not objeft, and the same evening her ham- 

 mock was slung near that of the bridegroom. A cere- 

 mony was unnecessary, promises on either side would 

 be quite useless, she brought another strong pair of 

 arms to his father's benab. and therefore was welcome. 

 Her father had enough women in the house so he did not 

 miss her ; had it been otherwise the young fellow might 

 have had to pay for her or take up his quarters in her 

 home. 



Now he was indeed a man and took his right place as 

 hunter and fisherman. With his father's gun, he was a 



