232 Expedition to the 



harangued by the husband, after which they proceed har- 

 moniously together in their domestic employments, until 

 some new feud arises, to disturb the repose of the family. 

 On the general hunting expeditions, in which the nation 

 separates into distinct bands, the husband takes with him, his 

 favourite wife, whilst the others accompany the bands in 

 which are their parents. Sometimes during a temporary 

 encampment, the husband leaves his favourite, for a few days, 

 on pretence of business, in order to visit one of his wives in 

 another band. On his return, he perceives the brow of his 

 favourite to lower with evident displeasure ; if his dog ap- 

 proaches her, she knocks him over with a club, and her child 

 is repulsed with violence from her side ; she kicks the fire 

 about, pulls about the bed, and exhibits other signs of anger. 

 The husband affects not to notice her inquietude, but suffers 

 her to proceed in her own way, until the violence of her an- 

 ger appears to be in some measure dissipated; he will then 

 perhaps, venture to request her to repair his mockasins for 

 the morrow's hunt ; " Take them to your dear wife in the 

 other band," will most probably be the reply to his solicita- 

 tion. 



Such is sometimes the violence of the displeasure of his 

 squaw, that he is obliged, through prudential motives, to take 

 refuge in a neighbouring lodge, where he solaces himself 

 with the pipe, until he supposes there is no longer danger 

 of being provoked beyond endurance, so as to be tempted to 

 chastise her ; a discipline which she seems rather to solicit 

 than avoid, that she may have a sufficient excuse for wreak- 

 ing her vengeance on her rival, and for giving free vent to 

 her sentiments and opinions upon her husband, in language 

 of the most superlatively indecent and opprobrious nature. 



When he retires to repose he invites her to his bed, but 

 receives a positive refusal ; she rolls herself in her covering 

 alone, but generallv, during the night, she becomes pacific, 

 and a negociation ensues, which restores harmony between 

 them. 



