i86» Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IV. 



I had better hold my peace?" said Powder-Face. "Oh, no! What- 

 ever you say to them, I agree with you, and I do hope that to-morrow 

 will come soon," said Young-Chief. 



"Well, let us have some war songs ("Comanche songs"), devise 

 some means to meet the enemy, and tell the Crier to call for some 

 women to help us in singing," said Young-Chief to Powder-Face. The 

 head men and young men started with their songs, while the old man 

 cried, stating that Young-Chief, together with his companion, would 

 start to-morrow on the war-path against the Utes, that it was neces- 

 sary to have women to come over and help in the singing. 



Small drums were provided and men and women were enjoying 

 themselves that night. Many old men sang their songs, encouraging 

 the party. It was very late in the night when the people ceased. 



Early in the morning the young men of the Lime-Crazy society 

 went over to Powder-Face's tipi, mounted on their best horses in full 

 war costume, i. e., having their war weapons with them. Some rode 

 good, fat ponies and led their best running horses. The people were 

 also up early, and were standing by their tipis, some of them on hill- ■* 

 tops, watching the war-party collecting at Powder- Face's tipi. There 

 was singing by the old people as the men started off. Hairy-Face,, 

 the wife of Young-Chief, and Powder-Face led the party out toward 

 the Ute country. 



As soon as the party started off, Hairy-Face, the wife of Young- 

 Chief, made a vow that she would have her left finger cut off in order 

 that her husband might be victorious and return home safe. 



A few days after the party had gone, Hairy-Face went to a 

 middle-aged woman, who was well known for her ability to perform 

 operations of this kind on the fingers, and told her that she had vowed 

 a "secret" and wished to get rid of it, in order that she might save 

 her husband. The woman set a time for the operation, which was at 

 noonday. She took Hairy-Face to a good open place, where buffalo 

 grass grew thickly, and both sat down facing south, toward the sun. 

 Then the woman who was to perform the operation prayed: "Please 

 listen to me, Grandfather (Sun)! This woman comes before you to 

 offer her last finger as a sacrifice to the Supernatural-Beings and other 

 gods, that her husband, who has just started out in search of the 

 enemy, may come home safe, and that the party that he takes out may 

 return to us, all happy, and that her desire for them to win a big vic- 

 tory may be fulfilled. So please, Grandfather, help me to do my work 

 successfully that this sacrifice be a pleasing sight to you and food to 

 the earthly spirits! Be merciful to us and protect us women from 

 dangers in the world ! 



