62 
WESTERN AFRICA. 
of a country cloth, a few mats, or some 
article of the kind, at the same time making 
known his request. The man's wealth, or 
ability to give, regulates the value of the 
present he makes, commonly ranging in 
value from one half to two dollars. 
The parents and family put the applicant 
off at first, and generally keep him in sus- 
pense as long as there is hope of getting 
more money for the girl. If the man is in- 
tent on having her he continues to call on 
her parents, carrying a present each time. 
To go without one, would destroy his pros- 
pects altogether. Thus they keep the appli- 
cant coming until they think they have 
obtained all there is a possibility of getting 
for the daughter, and then he is told he can 
have her. No marriage ceremony is per- 
formed. When the price is paid the bride 
is taken away. 
After men have one wife, they sometimes 
continue to work until they have means to 
purchase the second, and then they cease to 
r oxk altogether. Two wives are considered 
competency, or a livelihood; and hence 
