attracts his attention to his power over her, and frequently results in his taking the young woman himself.
If a chief is a man of ability, exhibiting bravery in battle or skill in hunting, he is often presented with wives from other chiefs, who have generally some whom they wish to part with. These women are given without their consent, and the man must take them as a mark of friendship. It would seem, however, that these gifts are not always appreciated, for Puulorn Puul, who communicated this information, at the same time moodily muttered aside, in his own language, 'Dear knows, there are plenty of them, when a husband has to put up with half-a-dozen.' In cases where they are aged and infirm, the transfer is made against the inclination of both parties.
A young man, who belongs to the chief's family, very reluctantly seeks the consent of the head of the family to his marriage, for it frequently ends in the old chief taking the young woman himself. To such an extent is this tyrannical system of polygamy carried on by the old chiefs, that many young men are compelled to remain bachelors, the native word for which means 'to look out,' while an old warrior may have five or six of the finest young women of other tribes for his wives.
Exchange of wives is permitted only after the death of their parents, and, of course, with the consent of the chiefs; but is not allowed if either of the women has children. When such an exchange is effected, both couples occupy different compartments in the same wuurn, and assist each other amicably in household duties.
A husband and wife without children can agree to dissolve their marriage. In such a case the woman must return to her tribe, and can marry again.
When a woman is treated with cruelty by her husband, she may put herself under the protection of another man, with the intention of becoming his wife. If he take upon him the duty of protecting her, he must challenge her husband and defeat him in single combat in presence of the chiefs and friends of both parties. Having done so, their marriage is recognized as legal; but ever afterwards the first husband calls her a wannagnum heear, 'cast-off wife,' and she calls him wannagnum, 'cast-off husband.' If a husband knows that his wife is in love with another man, and if he has no objection to part with her, he takes her basket to the man's wuurn, and leaves it. But as no marriage, or exchange of wives can take place without the consent of the chief, the wife remains with her husband till the first great meeting, when the bargain is confirmed. This
