CHIEFS. 



CHAPTER III. 



CHIEFS. 



Every tribe has its chief, who is looked upon in the light of a father, and whose 

 authority Ls supreme. He consults with the best men of the tribe, but when he 

 announces his decision, they dare not contradict or disobey him. 



Great respect is paid to the chiefs and their wives and families. They can 

 command the sei-vices of everyone belonging to their tribe. As many as six 

 yoimg bachelors are obliged to wait on a chief, and eight young unmarried 

 women on his wife ; and, as the children are of superior rank to the common 

 people, they also have a number of attendants to wait on them. No one can 

 addi-ess a chief or chiefess without being first spoken to, and then only by their 

 titles as such, and not by personal names, or disrespectfully. Food and water, 

 when brought to the camp, mast be offered to them first, and reeds provided for 

 each in the family to drink with ; while the common people diink in the usual 

 way. Should they fancy any article of dress, opossum rug, or weapon, it must 

 be given without a mm-mur. 



If a chief leaves home for a short time he is always accompanied by a friend, 

 and on his return is met by two men, who conduct him to his wuum. At his 

 approach every one rises to receive him, and remains silent till he speaks ; they 

 then inquire where he has been, and converse with him freely. When a tribe is 

 moving from one pai-t of the countiy to another, the chief, accompanied by a 

 friend, precedes it, and obtains permission from the next chief to pass, before 

 his followers cross the boundary. When approaching a friendly camp, the chief 

 walks at the head of his tribe. If he is too old and infirm to take the lead, his 

 nearest male relative or best friend does so. On his arrival with his family at 

 the friendly camp, a comfortable wuum is immediately erected, and food, 

 fii-ewood, and attendance are provided during his visit. When he goes out to 

 hunt, he and his friends are accompanied by several men to cany their game and 

 protect them from enemies. A strange chief approaching a camp is met at a 

 short distance by the chief, and invited to come and sit down ; a fire is made for 

 him, and then he is asked where he has come from, and what is his business. 



