May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 81 



THE CENTER-POLE CAPTURED, 1902. 



As the time approached, during the ceremony of 1902, for the 

 formation of the procession to go after the center-pole, the priests 

 within the Rabbit-tipi decorated their faces and hair with red paint. 

 Hawkan, the Lodge-Maker's substitute, and Nishnat^yanahad informal 

 talks inside the lodge. The substitute Lodge-Maker left his position, 

 and beginning at the priest next to the door, on the south side, placed 

 his hands upon his head and wept, and then passed on around, repeating 

 this performance over each priest, finally weeping over the skull and 

 Wheel. He was followed by the Lodge-Maker, who went through 

 exactly the same' performance. Then the pipe made the ceremonial 

 circuit four times. Food was brought into the lodge, the sacrifice 

 made, and the priests indulged in the usual feast. 



In the mean time, various warrior societies had been making prepa- 

 ration. They could now be heard passing to and fro about the circle, 

 all gayly costumed, and mounted on their painted ponies, each com- 

 pany singing appropriate songs. (See Plate XVII.) The Dog-soldiers 

 had gathered just outside the Rabbit-tipi, where under a canvas 

 shelter they were singing songs and awaiting the appearance of the 

 priests. Finally, the feast was concluded within the Rabbit-tipi, the 

 food vessels were passed out, and the priests made their appearance. 



The procession was then formed, and started off in the southeast 

 direction toward the place where the center-pole had been located and 

 ceremonially captured two days before. Walking at the head of the 

 procession was Nishchdnakati, bearing an eagle-wing fan; behind him 

 were seven Dog-soldiers abreast, each wearing appropriate Dog-soldier 

 costume, including the eagle-bone whistle. (See Fig. i, Plate XVIII.) 

 Four of them had the peculiar Dog-soldier rattles. Next came the 

 musicians, surrounding and carrying a large drum. (See Fig. 2, Plate 

 XVIII.) Next in line were several priests, walking abreast. Imme- 

 diately behind these were eight women, including the Peace-Keeper, 

 the \yife of the Lodge-Maker, the wife of the grandfather, pupils in the 

 Sun Dance, and those who were to cut the center-pole; then followed 

 the Kit-Fox and Thunderbird societies, mounted on horses, many of 

 them carrying small drums. At the side of the line rode Nakadsh 

 (Sage), with a black rattle. His presence may be explained by the 

 fact that he knew the location of the center-pole, and went along in 

 the capacity of guide or scout. In this fashion they filed across the 

 plain, beyond the camp-circle, crossed the river, and entered the 

 Cottonwood grove and halted just south of a tall, straight, forked 

 Cottonwood tree, which had been selected for the center-pole. The 



