108

102.

you know, that tother mans squaw, you know,
and that tother man's squaw you know. Pointing
individually to each of the three ladies as I nodded
in assent. This squaw (pointing to the fourth) my
brother squaw - Him go sleep (putting his head on
his hand shutting his eyes.) go sleep long time you
know - She no speak - by and by speak plenty, when
tother Indian man want squaw you know, "ugh!"

This poor creature never stirred from her original
position during the whole time of our visit which
continued more than an hour but remained fixed
like a statue with her chin resting on her breast, her
eyes fixed upon the ground, her arms and hands
immovable by her side. - so silent, so meek as if she
was afraid to hear the heaving of her own breath,
Poor soul! She was undergoing the painful probation
of her widowhood. This mode of mournful grief
continued for twelve months, at the expiration of which
the widow again takes to dress paints and ornaments
her person with the hope of obtaining another husband.

[image figure leaning against a tree]
Indian Widow Indigenous woman