May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 155 



did any one pass between these lines and the eastern opening of the 

 lodge. The singers now began a song, each of the dancers keeping 

 time with the eagle-bone whistle, the women yelling vociferously from 

 time to time. It was now noticed that while the Lodge-Maker had 

 kept on his buffalo robe, Biba had laid hers aside. After the singing 

 and the whistling had continued for a few moments, all four lines 

 stepped forward toward the center-pole, then backward toward the 

 northwestern corner of the lodge, then forward again, this time pro- 

 ceeding as far as the eastern opening of the lodge, then back again to 

 about the center of the lodge, then forward again, the lines this time 

 passing outside and about twenty feet beyond, to the east of the lodge, 

 where they halted, and all shook themselves vigorously. 



SMOKING THE STRAIGHT-PIPE. 



Those not actually engaged in the ceremony now departed for 

 their homes. The priests and the dancers then formed themselves in 

 a semicircular line, the opening of which faced toward the east. In 

 the center of the line was Watangaa, Debithe, Hawkan, and the 

 remaining priests, while the two ends of the line were made up of the 

 dancers. To the east, and just in front of Watangaa, were placed 

 the wrappings, upon which was now deposited the Wheel. Watangaa 

 next untied the Badger-pack, retaining the badger-skin, while Hocheni 

 retained the wrapper which had formed the covering of the badger- 

 skin. (See Plate CI.) It was not noted that the anterior portion of 

 the badger- skin was painted black, while the remainder was painted 

 red. The badger-skin, together with the pipe-stem and rattle, were 

 placed on the old buffalo wrapper. After a prayer by Hdwkan (see 

 Fig. I, Plate CII.), the pipe was handed to Hocheni, who lighted it, 

 prayed, puffed on the pipe again, whereupon it was passed along the 

 line to the south, when it was handed back along the north side of the 

 line. (See Fig. 2, Plate CII.) The pipe was then returned to 

 Hocheni. All the priests now left for their lodges, while Watdngaa 

 and Debithe remained to wrap the Wheel, pipe, etc., in their proper 

 envelopes. These objects were then returned to their keepers or 

 owners. (See Plate CIII.) 



In regard to the ceremony which has just been described, it may 

 be stated that the method of advancing by degrees outside the lodge 

 was a form of asking that the Man-Above and the Grandfather listen 

 to their prayers. It also typified the going after something which is 

 good, the idea being that as they rtiake the final advance at the fourth 

 time, they take it with a good heart. The shaking of' the blankets 

 may be regarded as a purification rite whereby sickness and sorrow 

 were shaken off. The smoking of the straight-pipe at this time, on 



