. Among the Zuni Indians there is
no purchase price, no general exchange of gifts; but as soon as the
agreement is reached, the young man must undertake certain duties:

He must work in the field of his prospective mother-in-law,
that his strength and industry may be tested; he must collect
fuel and deposit it near the maternal domicile, that his
disposition as a provider may be made known; he must chase
and slay the deer, and make from an entire buckskin a pair of
moccasins for the bride, and from other skins and textiles a
complete feminine suit, to the end that his skill in hunting,
skin-dressing, and weaving may be displayed; and, finally, he
must fabricate or obtain for the maiden's use a necklace of
seashell or of silver, in order that his capacity for long
journeys or successful barter may be established; but if
circumstances prevent him from performing these duties
actually, he may perform them symbolically, and such
performance is usually acceptable to the elder people. After
these preliminaries are completed, he is formally adopted
by his wife's parents, yet remains merely a perpetual guest,
subject to dislodgment at his wife's behest, though he cannot
legally withdraw from the covenant; if dissatisfied, he
can only so ill-treat his wife or children as to compel his
expulsion.[135]

This practice is seen in a symbolical form where presents are required
of the suitor before marriage and their equivalent returned later. By
depositing goods accumulated through his activities he demonstrates
his ability as a provider, without undergoing a formal test. This
practice is reported of the Indians of Oregon:

The suitor never, in person, asks the parents for their
daughter; but he sends one or more friends, whom he pays for
their services. The latter sometimes effect their purposes
by feasts. The offer generally includes a statement of the
property which will be given for the wife to the parents,
consisting of horses, blankets, or buffalo robes. The wife's
relations always raise as many horses (or other property)
for her dower as the bridegroom has sent the parents, but
scrupulously take care not to turn over the same horses or
the same articles.... This is the custom alike of the
Walla-Wallas, Nez-Perces, Cayuse, Waskows, Flatheads, and
Spokanes.[136]

In Patagonia the usual custom