185 



daughter to be his bed-fellow, during his stay. 

 If a girl proves with child, it has no influence to 

 prevent her marriage, and the child is adopted by 

 her husband, and brought up as his own. Their 

 hospitality probably exceeds that of any other 

 people. They share the last mouth full of pro- 

 visions chearfully, with the greatest stranger, and 

 strive to make him as happy and contented as 

 possible. 



Our party now prepared to set out for the sum- 

 mer and fall hunt, and it was determined to go to 

 the River Jaun or Yellow Stone, and to the Rocky 

 mountain. All things being prepared to set off, 

 the 2d of July was assigned, as is usual among 

 these people, for a day of feasting. The feast 

 was prepared, and the ceremonies conducted in | 

 the same manner, as at the Rus village, which has 

 been described. After the smoking rite was fin- 

 ished, the head chief of the village addressed us. 

 He commended us to the cafe of the Great Spirit, 

 and all the good subordinate spirits, wishing us a 

 bright sun and clear sky, that we might overcome; 

 any enemy we might meet ; that the evil spirits 

 would not spread sickness among us, and that all 

 of us, in due season, should return to the village, 

 loaded with meat and skins. The day was closed 

 with feasting and dancing. 



On the 3d of July, the party assembled to the 

 number of forty-three men, women and children ; 

 nineteen of whom were men, besides Mr. Pardo 

 and myself. We were provided with thirty-six 

 16* 



