Another tradition says, they were aiders of the Spaniards in the conquest of Mexico, and that these became as great persecutors of their people as the Aztecs.  But from many of their traditions connected with their new home which extended back far beyond the conquest of Mexico, it is thought by historians that this tradition alludes to some other war in which they took part against their oppressors.  They were remarkable for their size and symmetry of form of their men; but like all the race, they made slaves of their women, imposing every burden from the cultivation of their fields to the duties of the household—­the carrying of heavy burdens and the securing of fuel for winter.  These labors served to disfigure and make their women to appear prematurely aged and worn, and they seemed an inferior race when compared with the men.

The laws imposed by their chief of the sun were strictly obeyed.  They compelled the telling of truth on all occasions; never to kill, but in self-defence; never to steal, and to preserve inviolate the marriage-vow.  The marriage ceremony was poetic and impressive.  No girl ever dreamed of disobeying her parents in the choice of a husband; nor was elopement ever heard of among them; nor did the young man presume to thrust himself upon a family to whom, or to any member of whom, he was not acceptable.  But when the marriage was agreeable to the families of both parties and was consequently determined upon, the head of the family of the bride went with her and her whole family to the house of the bridegroom, who there stood with all his family around him, when the old man of the bridegroom’s family welcomed them, by asking:  “Is it thou?” “Yes,” answered the other ancient.  “Sit down,” continued the other.  Immediately all were seated, and a profound silence for many minutes ensued.  Then the eldest man of the party bid the groom and bride to stand up, when he addressed them in a speech in which he recapitulated all the duties of man and wife; informed them of the obligations they were assuming, and then concluded with a lecture of advice as to their future lives.

When this ceremony was concluded, the father of the bridegroom handed to his son the present he was to make to the family of the bride.  Then the father of bride stepped up to the side of his daughter, when the groom said to the bride:  “Wilt thou have me for thy husband?” The bride answered:  “With all my heart; love me as I will love thee; for thou art my only love for all my life.”  Then holding the gift above her head, the groom said:  “I love thee; therefore I take thee for my wife, and this is the present with which I buy thee,” and then he handed the present to her parents.  Upon his head he wore a tuft of feathers, and in his hand a bow, emblematic of authority and protection.  The bride held in one hand a green twig of the laurel-tree, and in the other an ear of corn—­the twig indicated she would preserve her fame ever fair and