age of marriage; with this she drives away any young man she does not fancy, for a mere “no” would not keep him at bay.  “The women never initiate matches;” these are generally arranged between two young men who have sisters to exchange.  “The young woman’s opinion is not asked.”  When the young man is ready to “propose” to the girl he has bartered his sister for, he walks up to her equipped as for war—­ready to parry her “love-taps” if she feels inclined that way.  “After a little fencing between the pair the woman, if she has no serious objections to the man, quietly submits.”  If she has “serious objections,” what happens?  The same writer tells us graphically (76): 

“By what mode soever a man procures a bride, it is very seldom an occasion of rejoicing by the female.  The males engross the privilege of disposing of their female relatives, and it often happens that an old man of sixty or seventy will add to his domestic circle a young girl of ten or twelve years of age....  A man having a daughter of thirteen or fourteen years of age arranges with some elderly person for the disposal of her, and when all are agreed, she is brought out of the miam-miam, and told that her husband wants her.  Perhaps she has never seen him, or seen him but to loathe him.  The father carries a spear and waddy, or a tomahawk, and anticipating resistance, is thus prepared for it.  The poor girl, sobbing and sighing, and uttering words of complaint, claims pity from those who will show none.  If she resists the mandates of her father, he strikes her with his spear; if she rebels and screams, the blows are repeated; and if she attempts to run away, a stroke on the head from the waddy or tomahawk quiets her....  Seizing the bride by the hair the stern father drags her to the home prepared for her by her new owner....  If she attempts to abscond, the bridegroom does not hesitate to strike her savagely on the head with his waddy; and the bridal screams and yells make the night hideous....  If she is still determined to escape and makes the attempt, the father will at last spear her in the leg or foot, to prevent her from running.”

No more than girls are widows allowed the liberty of choice.  Sometimes they are disposed of by being exchanged for young women of another tribe and have to marry the men chosen for them (95).

“When wives are from thirty-five to forty years of age, they are frequently cast off by their husbands, or are given to the younger men in exchange for their sisters or near relatives, if such are at their disposal” (Eyre, II., 322).

In the Murray tribes “a widow could not marry any one she chose.  She was the property of her husband’s family, hence she must marry her husband’s brother or near relative; and even if he had a wife she must become No. 2 or 3.”

THE PHILOSOPHY OF ELOPEMENTS