June, 1902. Thk Mishongnovi Ceremonies— Dorsey. 191 



and one or two of the older priests took their accustomed place near 

 the fireplace where they began smoking. The snakes were not trans- 

 ferred that night to the snake receptacles, nor was any further cer- 

 emony indulged in, either in the Snake or Antelope kiva. 



Fourth Day (Bayishtala, Third Day), August 16. 



On entering the Snake kiva early in the morning of this day the 

 majority of the priests, eleven in number, were found eating on the 

 platform. Lomanakshu was seated on the west side of the main floor 

 of the kiva making nakwakwosis. The snakes had been transferred 

 from the sacks to the snake receptacles, it was learned, immediately 

 after our departure on the previous night. As the men gradually 

 concluded their meal they disrobed and took their accustomed places 

 in the semicircle about the fireplace. Choshnimtiwa left the kiva and 

 soon returned with cedar bark and yucca leaves, from which Q6tch- 

 buyaoma made cedar bark fuses. With these Homiwushyorna lighted 

 a pipe and began smoking. Other priests now entered, two of them 

 puffing violently and with their bodies covered with perspiration. It 

 was apparent that a majority of the priests would be present on this 

 the third day of the hunt, and these men had run into the village 

 from their fields situated a long distance out on the plains. Presently 

 some one shouted from the outside and Homiwushyoma went out and 

 brought back a sack which evidently contained one or more snakes. 

 This was put to the east of the snake whips by the side of another 

 bag which had been brought in by a late arrival. The priests, as 

 they entered from time to time, went and seated themselves almost 

 directly on the platform for the morning meal, all, however, first fill- 

 ing their mouths with water and going outside of the kiva where, by 

 spurting water into their hands, they washed their faces. 



Lomanakshu now made his regular visit to the Antelope kiva. 

 On taking his position by the Antelope priest, by whom he was greeted, 

 he addressed the Antelope priest somewhat as follows: Yesterday 

 we went into the fields to the west and performed our work and 

 accomplished our mission; to-day we are going to do something, we 

 are going to do our work (/. e., to hunt snakes). The answer of the 

 Antelope priest was this: Yesterday you did your work, you did it 

 well; to-day you are going out to accomplish something; may you be 

 glad, may you be brave I Yesterday you were out and did that thing; 

 to-day you will go out again. Whereupon Lomanakshu answered : 

 May we be glad, may we be brave! Polihungwa now lighted a pipe 

 filled with native tobacco, and puffed on it several times to get it 



