* * * * *
(1) _Nocturnal couch_.--p. 257.
One, and the most frequently adopted method of Indian courtship, is that
of approaching the couch of the beloved maiden, and whispering tales of
love while she is reposing. When an Indian imagines, from the behaviour
of the person he has chosen for his mistress, that his suit will be
agreeable to her, he pursues the following plan.
As the Indians are under no apprehensions of robbers or secret enemies,
they leave the doors of their tents or huts unfastened during the night
as well as the day. Two or three hours after sunset, the slaves or old
people cover over the fire, that is generally burning in the midst of
their apartment, with ashes, and retire to their repose. Whilst darkness
thus prevails, and all is quiet, wrapped closely up in a blanket, to
prevent his being known, the lover will enter the apartment of his
intended mistress. Having first lighted at the smothered fire a small
splinter of wood, which answers the purpose of a match, he approaches
the place where she reposes, and, gently pulling away the covering from
the head, jogs her till she awakes. If she then rises up, and blows out
the light, he needs no farther confirmation that his company is not
disagreeable; but, if she hides her head, and takes no notice of him,
be may rest assured that any farther solicitation will prove vain, and
that it is necessary immediately for him to retire.
(2)_The skirts the Northern clouds_.--p. 250.
"The idea which the Southern Indians have of the Aurora Borealis is very
pleasing and romantic. They believe it to be the spirit of their
departed friends dancing in the clouds, and when the Aurora Borealis is
remarkably bright, at which time it varies most in colour, form, and
situation, they say their friends are very merry."--_Hearne,346._ And
see the tradition _post_.
"The Northern Indians call this meteor by a less romantic
name--_Ed-thin,_ that is, "deer;" and, when that meteor is very bright,
they say, that deer is plentiful in that part of the atmosphere. Their
ideas, in this respect, are founded on a principle one would not imagine
them to possess a knowledge of. Experience has shown them, that, when a
hairy deer-skin is briskly stroked with a hand in a dark night, it will
emit many sparks of electric fire, as the back of a cat will."--_Ibid_.