Rocky Mountains. 233 



The far greater portion of their matrimonial quarrels arise 

 from jealousy, though many affect to treat this passion with 

 ridicule, or with indifference. 



" Were you ever jealous?" said Sans Oreille, an Oto chief, 

 to Mr. Dougherty ; " I was once fool enough to be jealous, 

 but the passion did not long torment me ; I recollected that 

 women are often alone, their husband being necessarily often 

 absent a hunting, and even when the husband is at home, the 

 squaw is under the necessity of going to a distance for the 

 purpose of bringing water, or collecting wood, when frequent 

 opportunities occur, of being unobserved in the company of 

 other men ; and I am not so silly as to believe that a woman 

 would reject a timely offer. Even this squaw of mine, who 

 sits by my side, would, I have no doubt, kindly accede to 

 the opportune solicitations of a young, handsome, and brave 

 suitor." His squaw laughed heartily, but did not affect to 

 repel the imputation. 



Many husbands will take no cognizance, whatever, of the 

 breach of conjugal fidelity on the part of the wife, and the 

 offer of one of their wives for company during the night, 

 though it might call upon our politeness for a return of 

 thanks, was no cause of surprise to us, during our stay at 

 their villages.* 



Ji husband of a different temperament of mind, on detecting 

 his wife in an adulterous act, will rarely endeavour to maim 

 her paramour, or otherwise seriously injure him by killing 

 his horses or dogs ; but his attention will be chiefly or ex- 

 clusively directed to his wife, whom he punishes by cutting 

 off her hair, rarely her ears or nose ; sometimes he resorts to 

 a different punishment, and scarifies her face and head with 

 his knife, after which she is repudiated, and becomes a com- 

 mon prostitute. 



* This national trait of extreme hospitality, with respect to the disposal 

 of the wile, is common to many nations, in the various parts of the world; 

 as amongst the African negroes, and the Laplanders; and, agreeably to the 

 records of history, amongst the Romans, Spartans, and others. 

 VOL. I. 30 



