TRAVELS IS 
$12 
Chap. v. 
OF their MARRIAGE and FUNERAL CEREMONIES* 
AS to their marriage ceremonies, they are very 
fimple, yet differ greatly in the various nations 
and tribes. Amongfl fome of the bands in the 
Mufcogulge confederacy, I was informed the 
myflery is performed after the following manner. 
When a young man has fixed his affe&ions, and 
is determined to marry, he takes a Cane or Reed, 
fuch as they flick down at the hills of their Bean 
vines for their fupport : with this (after having 
obtained her parents* or nearefl relations* con- 
fent) he repairs to the habitation of his beloved, 
attended by his friends and affociates, and in the 
prefence of the wedding guefls, he flicks his 
Reed down, upright in the ground ; when foon 
after his fweet-heart comes forth with another 
Reed, which fhe flicks down by the fide of his, 
when they are married : then they exchange 
Reeds, which are laid by as evidences or certifi- 
cates of the marriage, which is celebrated with 
feafling, mufic and dancing : each one of their 
relations and friends, at the wedding, contribute 
fomething towards eflablilhing the new family. 
As foon as the wedding is over, the town is con- 
vened, and the council orders or recommends a 
new habitation to be conflrudled for the accom- 
modation of the new family ; every man in the 
town joins in the work, which is begun and 
finifhed in a day’s time. 
The greatefl accomplifhments to recommend 
a young man to his favourite maid, are to prove 
himfelf a hxave warrior, and a cunning, induftri- 
©us. hunter. 
They 
