THE INDIAN OF THE NORTHWEST 35
and the ridicule of other children in the open camp punished them. The family members usually lived together in greatest happiness, according to Lewis and Clark. 183 The Chopunish and the Multnomahs, they wrote, respected old age with ven- eration. Mackenzie reports the same of the Atnahs. Has- well 184 reports the "collections of contributions at the chiefs house, from which it was carried in procession to the home of the deceased and presented to the widow and children. Like donations, they say, are always practiced on similar occasions." Ross 185 describes the strong family attachment among the Okanogans, and the special favors shown to the young in giving them always the new and clean dress. Husbands, he says, were kind and indulgent. Thompson says that women and children were treated with kind attention. Vancouver calls the tribes he met "happy, cheerful people." Fraser 186 describes a guide who refused to go with him, alleging that his wife and children would be subject to starvation. When this was provided against, he went. The Hacamaugh 187 chief had his old and blind father carried by attendants and intro- duced into the council room and given every attention. Espinosa 188 describes at length the warm affection and regard for each other among the family of Tetacus, probably none other than the great chief Tatooche. Wife-beating, as among white people, was not unknown; but a blow in public was beyond the power of endurance, as Thompson's Journal clearly shows. In this particular case it led to suicide.
Indians were strong on bathing ; but the custom of painting the face, body, and hair, and the lack of soap, more than offset the effects of frequent bathing. Jewitt 189 says that the Indians bathed once a day winter and summer, and scoured the paint off with rushes. Mackenzie 190 reports that Indians bathe frequently ; and that small boys, as usual, are continually
183 Original Journals: III., p. 126.
1 84 Voyage: p. 87.
185 Adventures: p. 297.
1 86 Journal: p. 162.
187 Eraser's Journal: p. 183.
1 88 Sutil y Mexicana: II., 36.
