May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 85 



At the conclusion of the battle, the procession, including the 

 priests and Dog-soldiers, surrounding the tree, slowly passed up toward 

 the center of the circle, the entire line halting four times on the way, 

 each pause being accompanied by dancing and singing, where the tree 

 was unloaded. (See Plate XXVII.) 



BUILDING THE OFFERINGS-LODGE. 



In connection with the bringing in of the poles which were to be 

 used as uprights and for other purposes in the lodge, it may be stated 

 that, ordinarily, as they are brought in by the different companies, 

 before being taken to the center of the circle, they are dragged entirely 

 around the circle, sometimes outside and sometimes inside, the com- 

 pany singing all the while, and being greeted by their friends along 

 the way. 



In the 1902 ceremony the performances attendant upon bringing 

 in miscellaneous timbers, uprights, etc., for the lodge, were more 

 impressive and interesting than those of the_ preceding year. On up 

 to noon of the fourth day, poles and boughs for the sides of the lodge 

 were still being brought in and deposited in the neighborhood of the 

 place selected for the lodge. All the forenoon, other members of 

 various warrior societies were trimming the poles and digging the holes. 

 Immediately after the noon meal they began to place in position the 

 uprights, cross-pieces, and rafters, so that by four o'clock the lodge 

 was complete except for the center-pole and the four rafter-beams, 

 which were to be painted. (See Plates XXVIII., XXIX., and XXX.) 



During the work, the Dog-soldiers gathered under a shelter arbor 

 near by, and sang to the accompaniment of the beating of the big 

 drum, thus, as they said, encouraging and making lighter the labors 

 of those working in building the lodge. 



When the work was completed, all gathered in groups, awaiting 

 the appearance of the priests, Lodge-Maker, and others from the 

 Rabbit-tipi. 



FINAL RITES IN THE RABBIT-TIPI. 



While these active preparations are going on for the erection of 

 the great lodge, and while still other bands of women were bringing in 

 Cottonwood boughs, willow brush, etc., to be used in the erection of 

 the lodge, certain preparations have been taking place in the Rabbit- 

 tipi. It was first necessary to complete the preparation of the buffalo 

 head which had been brought in from the field on horseback by 

 Heich^biwa. Yahiise brought in several black-tipped eagle feathers 

 and two shell discs or gorgets. These, it was said, represented an 



