198 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IV. 



exchanged among them, but at the same time all were in one thought. 

 For days and nights the red-head duck and turtle were gone, and 

 there was a deep calm over the water. Even among the birds and 

 reptiles, etc., there was tranquillity. They bowed their heads, listened 

 attentively, and watched the spots mentioned. The seventh day 

 came, and in the early morning there were no signs of their return. 

 In spite of their having no signs that morning, the birds who had built 

 nests on the trees and others sang songs of praises and exchanged 

 words of cheer, prancing around and enjoying the gentle breeze, and 

 in general, peace prevailed. For a whole day they watched with 

 anxiety at the deserted spots, until just as the sun was about to set in 

 the west, there came bubbles on the surface of the water. The 

 people, seeing the appearance of the water, gathered close together 

 and gazed at one particular spot. Finally there came out to the sur- 

 face greater bubbles, after which the red-head duck stuck his head out 

 from the surface, shook it, and snorted a little. Swimming gracefully 

 before the rest, the duck gradually got back to its original place, 

 while at this time there came out another sign of bubbles; from them 

 a turtle was seen floating on the surface with spread feet, looking to 

 the man. 



The moment "the red-head duck returned to its original place on 

 th^ water, there was a man again, with the Pipe, awaiting the arrival 

 of the turtle. This turtle, swimming to the man, grunted a little from 

 exhaustion and stood near the man. On their arrival there was great 

 rejoicing and thanksgiving. Each brought a small piece of clay for a 

 specimen, but they went after it and brought it to the people. (This 

 has reference to the two sods in the Sun Dance lodge). • The owner 

 of the Flat-Pipe then said to the turtle, '*Come over and let me see 

 how much of the clay you have brought," at the same time opening its 

 palms. This man (Hinawaye, Arapaho) gathered pieces of clay from 

 the lines of the palms of the red-head duck, just as from the human 

 hand, for the duck was a part of the human being. "Take mine from 

 my sides (at the feet or legs), and you can tell better," said the turtle, 

 stretching its legs. So this man gathered the small pieces from the 

 turtle, compared them, and found them of equal size and weight.' 



This man then placed the two heaps of clay upon his pipe and 

 spread it in thin layers. Taking his pipe, he lifted it easily from 

 him and held it to let the clay get thoroughly dry. While he was 



' The sods varied in size in the biglod^e. In regrard to those standing in a row at the altar, 

 they represented a grove of timber with a spring or lake behind it. The ditch is a path. The 

 Lodge-Maker stands there and receives the lesson from the grandfather. In other words, he is 

 traveling the same road that the first man had trodden. From that road all the ceremonial 

 performances in the Oflerings-lodge are conducted. 



