of the parents; this accomplished, he proceeds to serenade his
lady-love, and will often sit for hours, day after day, near her
home, playing on his flute. Should the girl not appear, it is a
sign she rejects him; but if, on the other hand, she comes out to
meet him, he knows that his suit is accepted, and he takes her to
his home. No marriage ceremony is performed."[33] (H.H. Bancroft,
_Native Races of the Pacific_, vol. i, p. 549.)

"Among the Minnetarees a singular night-dance is, it is said,
sometimes held. During this amusement an opportunity is given to
the squaws to select their favorites. A squaw, as she dances,
will advance to a person with whom she is captivated, either for
his personal attractions or for his renown in arms; she taps him
on the shoulder and immediately runs out of the lodge and betakes
herself to the bushes, followed by the favorite. But if it should
happen that he has a particular preference for another from whom
he expects the same favor, or if he is restrained by a vow, or is
already satiated with indulgence, he politely declines her offer
by placing his hand in her bosom, on which they return to the
assembly and rejoin the dance." It is worthy of remark that in
the language of the Omahas the word _watche_ applies equally to
the amusement of dancing and to sexual intercourse. (S.H. Long,
_Expedition to the Rocky Mountains_, 1823, vol. i, p. 337.)

At a Kaffir marriage "singing and dancing last until midnight.
Each party [the bride's and the bridegroom's] dances in front of
the other, but they do not mingle together. As the evening
advances, the spirits and passions of all become greatly excited;
and the power of song, the display of muscular action, and the
gesticulations of the dancers and leapers are something