322 Expedition to the 



contemptible. Such commerce they consider as a very un- 

 favourable trait in the charater of the white man ; they, 

 however, avail themselves of it in their dealings with him, 

 provided he wants a considerable supply of those necessaries. 



The food which is set before a guest, is, in every respect, 

 considered as exclusively his own ; he may give it to whom 

 he may think proper, either within or without the lodge ; he 

 may even take it with him to his own lodgings, but the in- 

 cluding vessel, must, in either case, be returned. 



Much more food is usually served up to a guest, than he 

 can possibly eat, and when he has satisfied his hunger, if he 

 return the remainder to the host, the latter thanks him for it, 

 as if he had received a favour. 



So exemplary is their hospitality, that every stranger, 

 even an enemy, is protected in the habitation of an Omaw- 

 haw, as far as the power and influence of the owner extends; 

 he is immediately invited to sit down, and no questions are 

 put to him. The master of the house is evidently ill at ease, 

 until the food is prepared for eating, he will request his 

 squaws to expedite it, and will even stir the fire himself. 

 When the guest has finished his meal, the pipe is handed to 

 him to smoke, after which the conversation begins either 

 vocally or by signs. As soon as it is known that a stranger 

 is in the village, he is invited to various feasts, at each of 

 which he must reciprocate the politeness of the host, by par- 

 taking of his fare ; the stranger is not unfrequently followed 

 from lodge to lodge by several persons, who wish to secure 

 him as a guest in their turn. 



In the kindest spirit of hospitality, they are always careful 

 to treat their guests, in the manner which they suppose will 

 be most agreeable to them. A trader was invited to a feast, 

 and the food being prepared, a squaw who was about to 

 serve it up, in order to clean a bowl to contain it, began to 

 scoop it with her curved finger. Her husband observing 

 this usual mode of depuration, reprimanded her, saying, " I 



