ke part of her bed; upon which he lies
down by her side, and both continue unmoveable and silent like two
statues, whilst they are obliged to hear the long tedious harangues of
the Juggler, of the parents of both, and of their oldest relations.
After that, they both get up, and are led, the one by the young men, the
other by the girls, to the place of entertainment, all singing,
shooting, and dancing.

The bridegroom is seated amongst the young men on one side, and the
bride amongst the girls on another. One of his friends takes an
_Oorakin_, loads it with roast-meat, and sets it down by him, whilst one
of her's does the same thing, with an _Oorakin_ of the same size, and
nearly alike, which is placed by the bride's side. After this ceremony
of placing the _Oorakin_, the Juggler pronounces certain magical words
over the meat: he foretels, especially to the bride, the dreadful
consequences she must expect from the victuals she is about to eat, if
she has in her heart any perfidiousness towards her husband: that she
may be assured of finding in the _Oorakin_ that contains them, a certain
prognostic of her future happiness, or unhappiness: of happiness, if she
is disposed never in her life to betray her nation, nor especially her
husband, upon any occasion, or whatever may befal her: of unhappiness,
if through the caresses of strangers, or by any means whatever she
should be induced to break her faith to him, or to reveal to the enemy
the secrets of the country.

At the end of every period, all the assistants signify their assent to
the Juggler's words, by a loud exclamation of _Hah!_ Whilst he is
talking, the particular friend of the bridegroom, and that of the bride,
keep their eyes fixed on the two _Oorakins_; and as soon as he has done,
the bride's friend making as if she did not think of what she was about,
takes the _Oorakin_ allotted for the bridegroom, and carries it to the
bride, whilst the bridegroom's friend, (the thing being pre-concerted)
acts the like mummery of inadvertence, and sets before the bridegroom
the _Oorakin_ belonging to the bride; after which the dishes are served
in to the rest of the company. When they are all served, the two friends
of the parties musing a little, pretend to have just then discovered
their exchange of the bride and bridegroom's _Oorakins_. They declare it
openly to each other, at which the Juggler takes up his cue, and with a
solemn face says, "The _Manitoo_ has had his desig