"Though the pygmies die young they start life early, generally marrying at eight or nine. The men buy their wives with three or four spears and ten to fifteen arrows, according to the market value of the lady. These they pay by instalments, the courtship beginning by the suitor presenting the father with a spear, and if accepted he comes along again as soon as ever he can raise another, but not till the last arrow is handed over is he allowed to take his bride; thus the father always has something in hand, should the suitor change his mind, with which to sooth the sorrowing lady of possibly seven or eight years of age. A man can have as many wives as he can afford to buy."