May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 77 



out, and now arose and stood behind the buffalo skull, where he blew 

 upon an eagle-bone whistle, to the accompaniment of the song. 



After this performance had continued ior some time, the Dog- 

 soldier singers gave way to the members of other younger warrior 

 societies, who began an informal rehearsal of new and old songs, which 

 was kept up during the greater part of the night. The Lodge-Maker 

 and substitute Lodge-Maker and wife, remained, of course, within the 

 Rabbit-tipi during the night, continuing their fast. 



RITES OUTSIDE THE RABBIT-TIPL 

 TIMBERS FOR THE LODGE. 



In addition to the ceremonies which took place either in or in 

 connection with the Rabbit-tipi, were several other events of impor- 

 tance on this day, which must be noted. Several of the younger mem- 

 bers of the Star society and Kit-P'ox society repaired early in the 

 forenoon to the cottonwood grove near the encampment and cut cer- 

 tain of the timbers to be used in the erection of the great Offerings- 

 lodge. Of these they cut several forked sticks to be used as uprights, 

 a number of poles to be used as cross-bars and also a few poles which 

 were to be used as rafters of the lodge. In connection with the cut- 

 ting and bringing in of the poles was a certain amount of hilarity, 

 mingled with formal ceremony. 



This feature of the ceremony received much greater attention in 

 the 1902 performance than on the previous year. Apparently, nothing 

 could have exceeded the spirit of happiness which prevailed through- 

 out the camp-circle on both the second and third days, as the various 

 warrior societies, dressed in their best, and mounted on their painted 

 ponies, and accompanied by their wives or sweethearts, made repeated 

 trips to the timber, returning with poles for the lodge. Ordinarily, 

 on entering the camp-circle, they would pass entirely around it, in a 

 sunwise course, singing and crying with joy at the top of their voices. 

 When they had gained the point of the circle at which they had 

 entered, they would pass to the center of the circle, where they would 

 leave their pole and return again to the timber. (See Plate XVI.) 



LOCATING THE CENTER-POLE. 



A still more important event of this day was the location of a 

 suitable tree to be used as the center-pole in the Offerings-lodge. 

 This, naturally, is the most important pole ot the great lodge, 

 and in connection with its location and transfer to the scene of the 

 lodge there were several interesting rites. The duty of the selection 



