130 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. TX. 



In explanation of these movements, the following brief account 

 was obtained: In the arm movements, as they raised both hands 

 and face to the center-pole, they gave thanks to the four medicine- 

 spirits and to the great medicine-spirit. The right hand was for 

 the southeast, the left for the northeast, etc. When they faced 

 west they prayed to the great medicine-spirit to unite strength in 

 them that they might travel through this world as the man sun 

 traveled from east to west over the world. 



THE CHIEF PRIEST AND THE LODGE-MAKER'S WIFE. 



It was midnight, and though the moon was nearly overhead, it 

 was obscured by clouds, and as a consequence the notes which follow 

 must be regarded as possibly incomplete. First is presented an 

 account of what transpired, obtained from Roman-Nose Warrior at 

 the close of the ceremony. 



Before leaving the lodge the Chief Priest and the Lodge-maker's 

 wife stooped over a live coal upon which had been placed incense, 

 and drew a bufifalo robe closely about them that they might confine 

 the incense within the robe, and thus cause it to go over their bodies. 

 Then they left the lodge, the woman first, followed by the Chief 

 Priest, then the other priests, in the same order as when they went 

 after the sods for the altar on the following day. They went directly 

 east and halted a short distance from the medicine lodge, where one 

 of the priests prayed to the great medicine-spirit, and the four medi- 

 cine-spirits, the sun and the heavenly bodies, for the whole world, 

 for its growth, for animals, for birds, for people, for grass, for stones, 

 for earth of all kinds, and that the sun should shine and the clouds 

 should give rain. Then all returned to the lodge except the Chief 

 Priest and the Lodge-Maker's wife. They then came together under 

 one robe, bathing their bodies in incense of sweet-grass dropped upon 

 a coal. Thus they prayed that their bodies might grow straight and 

 strong. Then they sang the sacred pipe song and raised the pipe, as 

 if they were raising the world, and lifting upon it four times, they 

 simulated the movement made in raising the center-pole. This song 

 should have been sung on their return, but was overlooked by the 

 priests. Each priest's wife had shown the Lodge-maker's wife what 

 to do, and after this the Chief Priest and his wife and the Lodge- 

 maker and his wife united as one family. 



The Crier, who was the Chief Priest, now said: " I announce to the 

 whole world that when I made this (that is, the Sun Dance) I gave 

 two guns to (the man who was Chief Priest at that time) , and he showed 

 me and my woman and gave me the right to perform this ceremony." 



