168 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
though it be only five dollars, the relationship is still preserved 
between the families, and the parents of the female can interfere 
in her behalf in case of ill treatment. But if from any cause 
the balance be finally paid, then the right of the husband becomes 
absolute, and the woman is to all intents and purposes his slave ; 
when her power to claim a divorce ceases, and she may be dis- 
posed of at the will of her husband ; provided, that in all instances 
the ofi'er be first made to her relations. 
It very often happens, however, as before stated, that marriages 
take place without the whole of the money being paid down ; 
and that years are allowed to roll on without any demand being 
made. The debt, however, is deemed sacred, and can never be 
outlawed by time, and is sometimes collected by the second and 
third generations. 
There is a form of marriage called sehage, in which exchanges 
are made ; the daughter of one neighbour for the son of another ; 
and a brother will give a sister in exchange for a wife for himself. 
The prices paid vary often according to contract ; though when 
suits arise, and the amount has to be fixed by law, or the decisions 
of the authorities, the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars is 
always awarded. 
So completely is the marriage contract a matter of commercial 
arrangement among these people, that it not unfrequently occurs 
that friends and neighbours borrow a girl from each other to efi'ect 
some matrimonial arrangement, binding themselves at the same 
time to return another in her place when needed, or to pay the 
joojoor when required. If the parents or relations of a youth go 
to the parents of a girl to make a contract, the sum of six dollars 
is usually paid as an earnest of the compact ; after which, the girl 
cannot be disposed of to another without incurring upon the 
parents a fine for failing to comply with the first agreement. 
This fine, however, is often incurred ; for while the old people 
are arranging their family afiairs in reference to the approaching 
nuptials between their children, miss takes it into her head to 
love some other youth, and very naughtily determines to form 
a match of her own choice by eloping with her favourite swain; 
and the law, breathing a spirit of indulgence and humanity, sanc- 
tions the act. 
By the Mosaic law, if a man left a widow without children, 
