318 
CUSTOMS. 
elder men, apart from the others. It not unfre- 
quently happens, however, that some discontented 
individual will loudly and violently harangue the 
whole tribe ; this usually occurs in the evening, and 
frequently continues for hours together ; his object 
being generally either to reverse some decision that 
has been come to, to excite them to something they 
are unwilling to do, or to abuse some one who is 
absent. Occasionally he is replied to by others, but 
more frequently allowed uninterruptedly to wear 
himself out, when from sheer exhaustion he is com- 
pelled to sit down. 
Occasionally the tribe is addressed by its most 
influential members in the language of admonition 
or advice, and though at such times a loud tone and 
strong expressions are made use of, there is rarely 
any thing amounting to an order or command ; the 
subject is explained, reasons are given for what is 
advanced, and the result of an opposite course to 
that suggested, fully pointed out ; after this the va- 
rious members are left to form their own judgments, 
and to act as they think proper. 
In their domestic relations with one another po- 
lygamy is practised in its fullest extent. An old 
man having usually from one to four wives, or as 
many as he can procure. 
The females, and especially the young ones are 
kept principally among the old men, who barter 
away their daughters, sisters, or nieces, in exchange 
for wives for themselves or their sons. Wives are 
