Rocky Mountains. 245 



riage, he would obligate himself to treat her kindly; and as he 

 had commenced a permanent trading establishment in their 

 country, he would dwell during a portion of the year with 

 her, and the remainder with the white people, as the nature 

 of his occupation required- His establishment should be her 

 home, and that of her people during his life, as he never in- 

 tended to abandon the trade. In return, he expressed his 

 expectation, that for this act, the nation would give him the 

 refusal of their peltries, in order that he might be enabled 

 to comply with his engagement to them. He further pro- 

 mised, that if the match proved fruitful, the children should 

 be made known to the white people, and would probably be 

 qualified to continue the trade after his death. 



The parents replied with thanks for his liberal offers, and 

 for his disposition to have pity on them, they would not ob- 

 ject to the connection, and hoped that their daughter would 

 accept of him as a husband. 



The parents then retired, and opened the subject to the 

 daughter; they assured her that her proposed husband was a 

 great man , greater than any of the Omawhaws; that he would 

 do much for her and for them, and concluded by requesting 

 her to acquiesce in the wishes of the white man. She re- 

 plied that all they said, was without doubt, true, and that 

 agreeably to his request, she was willing to become his wife. 



The agreement being thus concluded, the trader made 

 presents agreeably to the custom of the nation, and conduct- 

 ed his interesting prize to his house. 



The succeeding Spring, the trader departed for the set- 

 tlements, leaving her of course at his trading house. 



The ensuing autumn she had the pleasure to see him re- 

 turn, having now conceived for him the most tender attach- 

 ment. Upon his visit the following season, she presented 

 him with a fine daughter, born during his absence, and whom 

 she had nursed with the fondest attention. With the infant 



