May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsev. 79 



Debithe, Wdtanah, Waakatani, and Kinathekahade left the Rabbit-tipi 

 and proceeded to a place about one hundred feet east of the Rabbit- 

 tipi, where the various poles to form the Offerings-lodge, had been 

 thrown promiscuously. From one of the cottonwood trees Hdwkan 

 cut five small boughs about three feet in length, sharpening one end 

 of each. 



They all now seated themselves in a semicircle, facing the east. 

 Hdwkan touched the forefinger of his right hand to the ground and 

 then touched his tongue, took a bit of sage into his mouth, spat into 

 his hands five times, and prayed : 



hawkan's prayer. 



"My Father, Man- Above, we are sitting here on the ground in 

 humble spirit and of poor heart, and ask your tender mercy upon us, one 

 and all. Through the merits of your children who taught us this law 

 of the Sacred-Offerings-lodge which we are about to locate, may we 

 do it in such a manner as to obtain your favor and increased good 

 spirit, to the end of the lodge! Give to us all your spirit and abun- 

 dant mercy, and let us unite in one spirit toward you, who made us and 

 ordered these things! My Grandfather, the Light-of-the-Earth, please 

 look down this day upon your poor and needy people, that whatsoever 

 they may do in their behalf may be pleasing to you! Now, my 

 Mother-Earth, take pity on me, poor creature, and guide me straight! 

 Let me do these things right, in the way your servants used to do!" 



Arising, he thrust one of the five cottonwood sticks into the 

 ground, which marked the spot where later was to be erected the 

 center-pole of the lodge. Placing his heel against this stick, he 

 walked with slow, lengthened step in the direction of the sunrise, 

 halting at the seventh step. This marked the eastern door, the 

 entrance to the lodge. He then retraced his steps to the central stick, 

 and walked seven steps to the west, which marked the western upright. 

 Then he retraced his steps again, and proceeded seven steps to the 

 north, then seven steps to the south, thrusting at each cardinal point 

 one of the cottonwood sticks. The author's attention was then called 

 by Hdwkan to the fact that the sticks thus placed, formed a cross, 

 symbol of the morning star. 



Th,e priest then returned to the Rabbit-tipi, while the Lime-Crazy 

 soldiers and others began digging the holes and otherwise preparing 

 for the great lodge. 



