on among them, who should get
these furs, we always got our goods cheap. After this trade was met, the
traders would give us a few kegs of rum, which were generally promised
in the fall, to encourage us to make a good hunt and not go to war. They
would then start with their furs and peltries, for their homes, and our
old men would take a frolic. At this time our young men never drank.
When this was ended, the next thing to be done was to bury our dead;
such as had died during the year. This is a great medicine feast.
The relations of those who have died, give all the goods they have
purchased, as presents to their friends, thereby reducing themselves to
poverty, to show the Great Spirit that they are humble, so that he will
take pity on them. We would next open the caches, take out the corn
and other provisions which had been put up in the fall. We would then
commence repairing our lodges. As soon as this was accomplished, we
repair the fences around our corn fields and clean them off ready for
planting. This work was done by the women. The men during this time are
feasting on dried venison, bear's meat, wild fowl and corn prepared in
different ways, while recounting to one another what took place during
the winter.

Our women plant the corn, and as soon as they are done we make a feast,
at which we dance the crane dance in which they join us, dressed in
their most gaudy attire, and decorated with feathers. At this feast the
young men select the women they wish to have for wives. He then informs
his mother, who calls on the mother of the girl, when the necessary
arrangements are made and the time appointed for him to come. He goes to
the lodge when all are asleep, or pretend to be, and with his flint and
steel strikes a light and soon finds where his intended sleeps. He then
awakens her, holds the light close to his face that she may know him,
after which he places the light close to her. If she blows it out the
ceremony is ended and he appears in the lodge next morning as one of
the family. If she does not blow out the light, but leaves it burning he
retires from the lodge. The next day he places himself in full view of
it and plays his flute. The young women go out one by one to see who he
is playing for. The tune changes to let them know he is not playing for
them. When his intended makes her appearance at the door, he continues
his courting tune until she returns to the lodge. He then quits playing
and makes another