678 THE ACAWOIOS. 



shield firmly with both hands, and, after various feints and 

 grimaces to throw his opponent off his guard, a clash is heard 

 as one springs forward and his shield strikes that of his an- 

 tagonist. The contest is generally one of mere strength, the 

 shield being pushed forward by the whole force of the body 

 and supported by one knee, while the other leg is extended 

 1 irmly behind. Sometimes one of the players is able to push 

 the other off the ground, or, by a dexterous slip and thrust on 

 the flank, sends him rolling on the sand; but more frequently 

 they remain pressing, panting, and struggling until exhausted, 

 when the contest ceases by mutual consent. It is then a point of 

 etiquette to shake the shields at each other in a jeering manner 

 — with a tremulous motion of their elastic ornaments — and to 

 utter a defiant sound like the whinnying of a young horse. 

 This is generally followed by a hearty, good-natured laugh, in 

 which the bystanders join. Another couple then step forward 

 and engage. 



Polygamy exists among most of the tribes, and is the great 

 bane of Indian domestic life. Among the Caribs, especially, the 

 woman is always in bondage to her male relations. To her 

 father, brother, or husband she is a slave, and seldom has any 

 power in the disposal of herself. Among the Macusis, the 

 custom of selling even their near relations prevails. When a 

 man dies, his wife and children are at the disposal of his eldest 

 surviving brother, who may sell or kill them at pleasure. 



Among their worst features is their proneness to blood re- 

 venge, by which, as among other savages, a succession of re- 

 taliatory murders is long kept up. They believe also, when 

 a person dies, that his death is caused by the agency of an 

 evil spirit secured by some enemy ; and, having settled who 

 that person is, will follow his steps till they find an oppor- 



