214 
HABITS OF LIFE. 
evacuate their camps, as circumstances might seem 
to render most expedient. A few friendly gestures 
and a peaceable demeanour would however soon 
dissipate their terror, and in a few moments their 
weapons would be thrown aside, and both invaders 
and invaded be upon intimate and confiding terms. 
I have always found the natives ready to barter 
their nets, weapons, or other implements, for Euro- 
pean articles, and sometimes they will give them 
unsolicited, and without any equivalent ; amongst 
themselves they constantly do this. 
In their intercourse with each other, natives of dif- 
ferent tribes are exceedingly punctilious and polite, the 
most endearing epithets are passed between those who 
never met before ; almost every thing that is said is 
prefaced by the appellation of father, son, brother, 
mother, sister, or some other similar term, corre- 
sponding to that degree of relationship which would 
have been most in accordance with their relative 
ages and circumstances. In many instances, too, 
these titles are even accompanied by the still more 
insinuating addition of “ dear,” to say nothing of 
the hugs and embraces which they mutually give 
and receive. 
The natives are very fond of the children they 
rear, and often play with, and fondle them ; but 
husbands rarely shew much affection for their wives. 
After a long absence, I have seen natives, upon their 
return, go to their camp, exhibiting the most stoical 
indifference, never take the least notice of their wives, 
