May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 181 



and hence the remainder of his life shall be in peace and joy. Instead 

 of the enemy inflicting a deadly blow, this piercing of the ears answers 

 the child's fate. 



"If the young child is unhealthy and of great expense to its 

 parents, the father or mother pledge that its ears shall be pierced at 

 the time of the Sun Dance, or at a special gathering. 



"There was a Sun Dance, and many other tribes were present 

 witnessing the ceremony. The visitors were treated well in the way 

 of presents and horses. 



"The man who said that his child was to be 'punished' prepares 

 his pony. In the first place, if he himself is not a warrior, he takes 

 the pony to a good warrior, who paints the pony as if about to go to 

 war; he also indicates wounds on the animal. If the record on the 

 pony is a true and clean one, it means good life and prosperity to the 

 child. Sometimes the painting on ponies is recognized by distinguished 

 warriors. The pony (about to be given away) is led back and loaded 

 with all kinds of goods, and the child is dressed in its very best 

 clothing. 



"The women (including the mother of the child and other moth- 

 ers) supply a whole bed, consisting of mattress (willows fastened 

 together), two lean-backs, blankets, beaded bags, painted parfleches, 

 pieces of bright calico, weapons, leggings, moccasins, and pillows, and 

 take them to the lodge, where the bed is at once erected. 



"All the spectators see the pony and the goods. The father goes 

 to one of the criers and tells him to call for Black-Coyote, that Two- 

 Babies wants him to pierce the ears of his child. He cries: 'Where 

 are you, Black-Coyote? Come forward quickly and pierce this child's 

 ears!' 



"Black-Coyote comes with his wife, daughter, and friends, rubbing 

 the faces of the people (thereby receiving the gracious gift). Before 

 they take the presents, Black-Coyote, if a good warrior, takes the awl, 

 and stepping before the singers, tells his war story: 'It was about this 

 time of day that we started on the war-path. Being one of the young 

 men in the party, I did not have much to say or do, except the necessary 

 chores. As we were going along the valley we came upon a human trail. 

 Our leader ordered us to stop, and at once detailed the spies to go and 

 follow the trail. I was lucky enough to be one of the party. We 

 started, four in number, and soon reached fresh tracks, and ahead of 

 us there was smoke extending up from a camp-fire. After locating 

 the enemy we all started back, feeling happy at the prospect of a fight. 

 Just at a short distance from our companions there was a hill. We 

 went to this hill and made our ponies go in a zigzag manner, and one 



