184 



lages. Soon after our arrival, a young chief, wh|> 

 accompanied us, found a young woman, with 

 whom he contracted matrimony, which afforded 

 an opportunity to witness their marriage ceremo- 

 nies. Proclamation was made, by one of the re- 

 lations, that on the next day, in the morning, the 

 marriage would be celebrated. The next morn- 

 ing the bride was dressed in all her* finery, and 

 the groom in his riehest attire. The company 

 assembled at her father's lodge, where the chief 

 of the village attended. He informed the com- 

 pany, that the young man, catting him by name, 

 intended to take the girl, calling her by name, to 

 be his wife. He then asked each of them if that 

 were their intention, which each of them answered 

 in the affirmative. The chief then handed them a 

 small rod, which was broken between them. 

 The groom then broke his part into a number of 

 small pieces, and handed them to the men who* 

 stood near to him. The bride did the same with 

 her part of the rod, which consumated the mar- 

 riage. Fire was then brought, and the sacred 

 pipe was lighted. After all the men had smoked 

 in it, the dance commenced, which w r as continued 

 for several hours. As soon as it was finished, 

 the groom took his bride to his lodge to live with 

 him. 



These people entertain ideas of chastity very 

 different from any civilized nation. If a stranger 

 comes to reside with them in their cabins, for 

 several days, he is presented with the wife or a 



