2o8 Field Columbian Museum — Anihropologv, Vol. III. 



As has been stated, the snake hunt of this day was to the east 

 (see PI. XCIII), this being the fourth ceremonial hunt. Immediately 

 on descending the trail on the east of the village the Snake priests, 

 twenty in number, divided into three parties, one of which went to 

 the Pisaphelve Spring (see PI. XCIV). Here they stood in a circle 

 around the spring until Nakwayeshwa, who had come a little later, 

 descended to the edge of the water, deposited a nakwakwosi, 

 sprinkled cornmeal on the water and flipped the water in the four 

 directions. Then he joined his companions, who now descended to 

 the edge of the water and repeated the same performance. Most of 

 them also drank from the spring. Then they scattered out in various 

 directions toward the east, beginning to hunt. Another group went 

 to the Hontupovi Spring a few hundred yards to the west of the first 

 spring and enacted exactly the same performance. Still another 

 group led by Lomanakshu now arrived at the Pisaphelve Spring, 

 where they also went through the observance just noted. All these 

 parties then scattered out and the hunt began. 



At five minutes after seven the Snake priests returned from the 

 last day's ceremonial hunt. Depositing their digging sticks and 

 rabbit sticks on the kiva hatchway, they entered the kiva carrying 

 with them two rabbits and several bags, which evidently contained 

 snakes. The bags were placed as usual to the east of the snake para- 

 phernalia, whereupon they all except the boys sat down in a semi- 

 circle about the hearth and began smoking. The chief filled a pipe 

 with native tobacco and the others made cigarettes with corn husks 

 or American paper. After smoking for some minutes and exchang- 

 ing occasional terms of relationship, they retired and lounged about 

 in different parts of the kiva, waiting for one or two of their number 

 who were late. They now came in bearing a sack which, judging 

 from its bulging sides, was well filled. This was placed by the side 

 of the other sacks, whereupon the bearer filled his mouth with water 

 from a can standing in the corner of the kiva, and, as the others had 

 done who had handled snakes that day, went on the outside of the 

 kiva, and, filling his hands with water from his mouth, washed his 

 hands and face. There now occurred a long argument concerning a 

 question which as yet had not been decided in our favor, viz., whether 

 we were to see the transfer of the snakes from the bags to the recep- 

 tacles or not. During this conversation between Lomanakshu and 

 the leading priests and ourselves, the following -speech was made by 

 old blind Homiwushyoma, which, on account of its interest, merits 

 being reproduced as nearly verbatim as possible: 



Uma kush ka achatotani. Anchaa uma yang itamui yungya. 



