38 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IV. 



It is required also that all enter and leave the Rabbit-tipi by way 

 of the south, west, and north, in other words, in a sunwise circuit. In 

 this manner they travel along with the sun and are therefore protected. 

 Hence also no one may pass in front of the altar with the sacred 

 Wheel and buffalo skull ; a clear path must be preserved between these 

 and the door, so that the blessing of the Sun-ray may take effect. 



There is no restriction as to the nature of the food used in the 

 Rabbit-tipi, the quantity and amount depending upon the means of 

 the family who is making the feast. 



WOOD FOR THE CEREMONIAL FIRE. 



The boys of the Star society now began gathering wood, first 

 near Watangaa's lodge on the north side of the circle, and then con- 

 tinuing the circuit, taking one or two sticks from each lodge, until 

 they could carry no more, when they would take their load to the left 

 and the front of the Rabbit-tipi. 



They then returned to that part of the circle where they had left 

 off, and continued gathering wood until they had completed the circuit 

 of the camp; consequently, each wood-pile had yielded its contribution. 



THE WHEEL TAKEN TO THE RABBIT-TIPL 



Debithe, accompanied by two members of the Star society, now 

 went to the home of Yahiise, taking with him calico, to obtain the 

 Wheel. Having arrived at his tipi, they entered, gave him the calico, 

 and explained their mission. They all went outside to the rear of the 

 tipi, where the bundle containing the Wheel was suspended on a tripod. 

 A prayer was now uttered by one of the men, whereupon Yahiise took 

 the bundle from the tripod and gave it to Debfthe, who returned with 

 it to the Rabbit-tipi. 



KNIFE, RAWHIDE AND BADGER TAKEN TO THE RABBIT-TIPI. 



Another member of the Star society, just before that time, 

 entered the Rabbit-tipi with a double-edged knife. Hocheni had also 

 directed one of the members of the Star society to bring into the lodge 

 a piece of buffalo hide, which had been obtained from Big-Belly, and a 

 piece of rawhide, while Debithe brought in a badger skin. As these 

 were brought in they were passed to Hdwkan, who, in a low voice, 

 uttered a prayer: 



