itself. There is no bird nor beast of which they cannot imitate the voice so as to decoy it within their reach. Hunting is a favourite exercise with all Indians; and the Oakinackens are very fond of displaying their dexterity in riding, and decoying the animals of the chase. All classes of them paint the face, particularly the young. Painting, and dressing, and decking the hair, is their chief glory; but they are nowise particular about other parts of their persons.
{299} CHAPTER XIX
Marriage contracts—National custom—Exchange of
presents—Nocturnal visits—The object—Purchasing
the bride—Customs on the occasion—Feuds
and quarrels—Tla-quill-augh, or Indian doctor—His
office—Precarious life—Mode of paying him—Manner
of treating the sick—Customs and ceremonies
on the occasion—Hard duty—Superstitions—Knowledge
of roots and herbs—Curing wounds—Diseases,
or general complaints—Gambling—Tsill-all-a-come,
or the national game—Manner of playing
it—Bets—Gambling propensities—Hot baths—Manner
of using them—On what occasions—Indian
qualifications—Gymnastic exercise—Comparison—General
remarks.
We now come to the mode of courtship and the rites of marriage observed among these people. The law of the land, or rather the established custom of the country is, that parents betroth or promise their children in marriage while they are still very young; and these contracts are in most cases held valid when the minors come of age.
When a marriage alliance is thus entered into between parties on behalf of their infant children, reciprocal
