We continued our voyage without meeting with any occurrence worth relating till we arrived at the Skunk's River, where I had unfortunately shot off a chief's ear, as I have before related. Here I met with the new-married couple, and some of the same band to whom I was so much obliged in the preceding December for singing the love-songs; and being desirous of obtaining a perfect knowledge of their manners and customs, I made many inquiries, and among other knowledge gained information of the Chippeway form of courtship, which I presume will be acceptable to those who have as much curiosity as myself.[77]
INDIAN COURTSHIP
When an Indian wishes to take a wife, and sees one to his mind, he applies to the father of the girl, and asks his consent in the following words:
[136] "Nocey, cunner kee darmissey kee darniss nee zargayyar kakaygo O waterwarwardoossin cawween peccan weettey gammat ottertassey memarjis mee mor."
"Father, I love your daughter, will you give her to me, that the small roots of her heart may entangle with mine, so that the strongest wind that blows shall never separate them.[1]
If the father approves, an interview is appointed, for
which the lover prepares by a perspiration; he then comes
into her presence, sits down on the ground, and smokes
his pipe: during the time of smoking, he keeps throwing
small pieces of wood, of about an inch in length at her
one by one to the number of one hundred. As many as
she can catch in a bark bowl, so many presents her lover
————
- ↑ On this subject of courtship and marriage, see also Grant, "Sauteux Indians," in Masson, Bourgeois, ii, pp. 319-321.—Ed.
