xiv INTRODUCTION

savage or of civilised man, the wedding cere- mony of the Micmac may be said most truly to represent him. Courtship was brief, but often dramatic. If a suitor were acceptable to the old people, who had the power of disposing of their daughters, he was addressed as “son-in— law” when he entered the Wigwam, and was in- vite-d to the seat of honour. This consummated the marriage. A feast was prepared; the neighbours were invited in; they ate, danced; and played games; then all dispersed and the young man took the bride to her new home. But “the older order changeth, yielding place to new.” Now, the Micmacs live in houses and till the ground and wear the garb and cultivate the vices of civilisation. They no longer en- gage in war, and torture and burn their pris- oners. But they still maintain the custom of electing their chiefs as of old, when envoys of the ten tribes Which range from Cape Breton to Western Canada meet in council. And they still hold their annual festival and mystic dance of the sakawachkik,—Indians of olden times. The legends of the Micmacs were buried treasure until Dr. Rand unearthed them. To him belongs the credit of having discovered Glooscap, the Ukchesakumou (Great Chief), the Master, the Lord of Men and Beasts, whom the Indians believed lived at Blo-midon, still called