I02 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IX. 



finished (see Fig. 33) it meas- 

 ured three feet ten inches in 

 Fig. 33. The earth-peg. length, was pointed at one 



end, and at the other had five 

 cup-shaped figures three inches in length; these were produced by 

 making deep notches around the stick at regular intervals, and are 

 symbolic of the four medicine spirits and the sun. It is to be used 

 later in locating the altar, etc., and finally finds a permanent resting- 

 place in the center fork, from which the four medicine spirits look 

 down. 



Their work concluded, the priests took the peg and spoon in- 

 side the tipi. The spoon was placed on the cleared space and the 

 peg was handed to the assistant Chief Priest, who carefully placed 

 it behind the skull, with its point directed toward the west. 



The Noonday Feast. 



Food and water were brought into the tipi by the wife of the 

 Lodge-maker and her friends. This time she sat down and remained 

 during the meal. The Lodge-maker made the usual sacrifice, the 

 priests ate, and the food bowls and remaining food were removed. 

 The Lodge-maker went out and secured live coals which he placed 

 in front of the Chief Priest, taking his seat between him and the 

 assistant Chief Priest. The latter prepared his hands in the usual 

 manner, while the Chief Priest prepared those of the Lodge-maker, 

 who lighted a pipe, and after the customary offerings the pipe was 

 passed about the circle. 



The Enemy Arrow. 



About the middle of the forenoon Red-Cloud unwrapped a bundle 

 which he had brought into the tipi in the morning and took out 

 four arrows, which he handed to the assistant Chief Priest, who 

 placed them behind him. At the same time there had been given him 

 a piece of dried meat which had been cut from the ribs; this he had 

 placed by the side of the arrows. He took a pinch of sweet-grass 

 and placed it in front of the Chief Priest. Then he turned and 

 took up one of the four arrows from behind him, carrying it west 

 of the point of the earth-peg and directing the point toward the 

 door of the tipi. He rested it by the Lodge-maker and held it so 

 that the point was directed upward. The Lodge-maker prepared 

 red paint and tallow and incensed the paint by making the four 

 passes with his closed and open hands, as already described, and 



