TRAVELS IN 
woman is both chaste and modest ; yet, in many points of 
her conduct, in which she differs from females of more 
pohshed nations, the latter part of her character might 
be called in question. If, for instance, a young woman 
should be asked if she is married, not content with giving 
the simple negative, she usually throws open her cloak 
and displays her bosom ; and, as she has seldom any other 
covering beneath, she perhaps may discover at the same 
time, though unintentionally, more of her secret charms. 
Instances of infidelity are said to be very rare ; and, 
when Ihey do occur, are accidental rather than premedi- 
tated. The punishment is a fine, and, if the man chuses 
it, the dismissal of his wife ; but should a husband surprise 
his wife in the act of adultery, the law would justify him 
in putting the parties to death. The laws by which their 
society is governed are very simple, and grounded less on 
deep policy than on plain natural principles. If a murder 
should appear to be premeditated, the perpetrator is in- 
stantly put to death, if a man should kill another in his 
own defence, in a quarrel, or by accident, he must pay 
to the relations of the deceased, as a compensation for 
their loss,, a certain fine, which is either agreed to among 
themselves, or settled by the chief and elders of the horde. 
In doing this, the value that the deceased held in the society, 
and the family left behind him, are the only objects taken 
into consideration. A chief has no power over the lives 
of his subjects : should he by design, or in the heat of passion, 
put a man to death, he would incur the hazard of being 
^expelled out of the community. For theft there is no other 
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