210 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IV. 



When the Sun Dance was nearly over, it being the last day, there 

 came a Nih'a"Qa" from a distant land. Hearing the beating of the 

 drum, and the people singing at the top of their voices, he went to the 

 queer-looking object standing in the center of the camp-circle. As 

 he advanced closer to it, he saw quite a crowd of spectators all around 

 the lodge, except a little opening at the back of it. The people did 

 not notice him much, tor there was great rejoicing among the men 

 and women. After failing to see the inside of the lodge at both sides 

 and at the door, he walked around it and made his way until he suc- 

 ceeded in getting a glance at the dancers. Since there were continu- 

 ous noises by the singers, old men and old women, to cheer the 

 dancers, Nih'a"9a° gradually pushed forward until he stuck his head 

 into branches of Cottonwood, which was an elk skull. After he had 

 stuck his head into the skull a crowd of large and small mice dispersed 

 from the interior. These creatures were the people who had had the 

 Sun Dance lodge. Nih'a°<;:a" was very much pleased with the cere- 

 mony, so that he took pains to witness the interior. 



Nih'a"(;:a" walked off toward, the river, feeling his way as he went. 

 "What kind of weeds do you belong to?" said he, as he felt them. 

 "Well, Nih'a"9a", you may know that we belong to a sage weed," 

 said they. "That will do, I am on the right path to the river, for 

 these weeds grow just a short distance from the river, " said Nih'a"9a". 

 He then started off again, feeling as he went, because he had an 

 elk skull for cap. "To what kind of weeds do you belong?" said 

 he, as he felt. "Well, Nih'a"9a", you may know that I am a blue- 

 stem grass," said the grass. "Good I Good! I am still getting 

 closer to the river, for this grass grows in the swampy places along 

 the river," said he. He then started again, feeling as he went along. 

 "Say, to what kind of tree do you belong?" said he, as he was holding 

 the body of a tree. "Well, Nih'a''9a", you may know that I am an 

 elm tree," said the tree. "Oh! that is good, I am so glad to get 

 along nicely, for this tree stands in the open near the river," said he. 

 He then walked off slowly, feeling as he went along. "Well! Well! 

 To what kind of tree do you belong?" said he, holding the body of 

 another tree and embracing it. "Nih'a"9a", I am a cottonwood 

 tree," said the tree. "Oh, yes! I know who you are, that is a good 

 companion. Surely I am going to the river," said he. So he walked 

 away, feeling bushes as he went along. "Well, who are you? What 

 kind of bush do you belong to?" said he, holding some bushes at the 

 tops. "Well, Nih'a"9a", you may know that I am willow, who stands 

 just at the edge of the water," said the willow. "Good! Good for 

 me! I am thankful to you for your kindness and hospitality," said 



