3'OUIWAL, 
'238 
our merchandise. Chastity appeared to be unknown as a virtue. 
Yet this may not have been universal; a more minute acquain¬ 
tance with these people, might have enabled me to explain this 
strange phenomenon. From the remnant of a singular custom 
"which prevails amongst them, one might suppose that this had 
not always been the case. On a certain occasion, a great num¬ 
ber of young girls were collected before the medicine lodge or 
temple, prices were exhibited, and a cedar bough was Stuck on 
the lodge ; the old men who reside in the temple, proclaimed, 
that whoever Was yet a virgin, should come forward and touch 
the bough, and take the prize; that it was in vain to think of de¬ 
ceiving, the manitbu would reveal every thing ; the young men 
were moreover required to declare against any one who should 
attempt it, all they knew. A young metiff, daughter of the in¬ 
terpreter, a beautiful girl of sixteen, came forward, but before 
she could ascend to touch the bough, a young fellow stepped 
out and bade her remember a certain place! She withdrew, con¬ 
fused and abashed. Thete Was a pause for a considerable time ; 
I began to tremble for the maidens of Arikara, when a girl 
of seventeen, one of the most beautiful in the village, walked 
forward and asked, “ where is the Arikara who can boast of 
having received favors from me V 9 then touched the bough, and 
carried off the prize. I feel a pleasure in adding, for the honor 
of the ladies of Arikara, that others followed, though I did not 
take the trouble of noting the number. 
Seeing the chief one day in a thoughtful mood, I asked him 
what was the matter—I was wondering” said he « whether 
you white people have any women amongst you.” I assured 
him in the affirmative. “-Then” said he, “ why is it that your 
people are so fond of our women, one might suppose they had 
never seen any before?” 
