May, 1905. 



The Cheyenne — Dorsey. 



113 



where the hole was to be 

 located. The stick was 

 first circled over the earth, 

 and then directed to it 

 four times, and then to a 

 point on the southeast: 

 the stick was directed once 

 for each of the other three 

 comers and again circled 

 over the center and 

 directed four times for the 

 center. Next the stick 

 was placed so that it was 

 directly east and west, and 



Fig. 47. Spectators making ofiferings. 



then transversely so that it was directly north and south. Thus a 

 cross, inclosed within a circle, was indicated, and there the hole was 

 dug without further formality. In the mean time Big-Baby cut off 

 the end of the tree to make it the right length. 



THE COMPLETION OF THE SUN DANCE LODGE. 



The lodge was at this time complete except the center-pole, one 

 cross-bar on the eastern side, and the reach, or rafter poles. The 



warrior organizations 

 were present in groups 

 and the whole camp was 

 present to witness the 

 first great public rite of 

 the ceremony. 



Many came forward 

 to the line of priests (see 

 Fig. 47) carrying bits of 

 calico, which later were 

 to be tied on the cen- 

 M .^fjH ter-pole, and in their 



ft ' '.'UJI J>-t.;Vi,\\A'\ » IB hands a pipe which 



they offered to one or 

 another of the priests, 

 thus asking the priests to pray for them.* Many also came and 

 offered bits of calico to the skull, holding it up first by two corners 



•In presenting their pipes to the various priests at this time they were guided in their selec- 

 tion by their belief in the individual ability of the priest to make a good prayer for them, and 

 especially by the life which the priest had led. 



lu 



offering to the hi 



