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suitor. This "power" consists of one word, "Akuwak," which the
suitor says to the girl upon his next visit to her. And that is all he
does say. She says nothing (probably because she doesn't know what
he's talking about). However, this word apparently has something,
because if he doesn't return again, she will feel compelled to go to
him and beg him to marry her. This part I can not understand. No
matter how many times I say "Akuwak" to my girlfriend, nothing
seems to happen. It must be in the way you say it.

The permission of the girl's parents is the next thing which must
be obtained. If they do not answer his request in three days he knows,
that he must visit the old mill stream and begin anew. If he is ac-
cepted, the suitor's parents will present her parents with three steers,
wood, buckskin, blankets, a shawl, two mantas, silver manta pins, a
mattress, and pillows.

During their bethrothal period, the girl and boy are allowed no
visitors lest the visitors speak ill of them. Three nights before the
wedding, all the relations of the boy take presents to the girl. The'
wedding is usually held on a Monday, thereby creating the term,
"Blue Monday." The wedding feast is in the girl's home and lasts
for five or six days before the couple go to their own home.

This is, of course, quite a contrast to our society. Instead of the
boy and girl standing by the old mill stream in the moonlight, we have
them standing by a juke box blaring "Scrub Me Mama With A Boogie
Beat." After studying both sides, I have only one thing to say:
"Akuwak," "Akuwak."

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