May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 151 



Heni&nit, Wdtanah, Waatu, Chaiii (Lump-Forehead), Thihauchhdwkan, 

 Bihata, Hisehaseh, Hitantuh, Hebethngnen, Niehhinitu (Howling- 

 Bird), Nisah (Twins), Biba, and Nawaht. 



The boughs and other obstructions had just before been removed 

 from the western quarter of the lodge, so that all had an unobstructed 

 view of the setting sun. The spectators were careful not to pass in 

 front of the line of dancers and priests. The sage which the dancers 

 held in their hands was now waved more often than on previous occa- 

 sions, and was held in an upward position. The Lodge-Maker used 

 the buffalo tail more frequently, holding his arm out in front of him 

 and bending it at the elbow, striking his breast with the tail and wav- 

 ing it from him. Others occasionally went through the same motion, 

 beating their breasts with the sage. 



As it was near the close of the day, three dancers, who had worn 

 yellow feathers in their hair, went to the grandfathers to have the 

 feathers removed. As the sun sank lower and lower to the horizon 

 the fervor of the dancers continued to increase, while the volume of 

 noise from the drummers and accompanying female chorus was of the 

 most enthusiastic nature. The effect thus produced was greatly 

 heightened by the shouting, and yelling on the part of the friends of 

 the dancers, encouraging them to hold out to the end. In this veri- 

 table babel of noise could be heard now and then the shrill whoop of 

 the war-cry, given on the part of certain members of the warrior soci- 

 eties. The dancing continued with renewed vigor, although it had 

 been prolonged without a moment's cessation for over twenty minutes. 

 As an offset to the cheering words spoken by some of the older priests, 

 such as chief Nawaht's constant calling out: "Dance harder!" "The 

 sun is setting!" "Do not give up!" one or two others cried out, 

 "You may as well give up!" "You can't possibly last any longer!" 

 "There is no water or food left, anyway!" 



The long continued strain on the part of both the dancers and the 

 spectators was being more and more felt, and instead of the wild shout- 

 ing and calling of the men, the great throng became gradually quiet, 

 until at the end, not much was heard except the low singing of the 

 musicians, and the heaving and panting of the almost exhausted 

 dancers. 



The dancing, after continuing uninterruptedly for nearly forty 

 minutes, came to a sudden end. Thereupon a great shout was sent 

 up by all ; for the ceremony had come to a happy termination without 

 any one falling by the way and without a mishap, and all rejoiced cor- 

 respondingly. This impressive exhibition of endurance and faith is 

 termed "gambling against the Sun." It expresses, on the part of each 



