Oct., 1903. Akapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 139 



be clear and wholescme for my body as well as for my kindred. Have 

 pity on me and remember me in my daily anxieties, and let my seed 

 multiply according to your will, if it may be necessary ! Hear my 

 earnest prayer ! I cannot say much, but offer the same with all good 

 things. So it may be for me, and to all in the tribe.' " 



This is the kind of supplicatiori given by the husband, the monster 

 animal. That . is the reason why the people cut themselves on their 

 wrists and tie- red flannels to the branches along the most dangerous 

 places by the rivers. This is voluntarily done by the Indians. 



After this man had told the woman of certain restrictions, she 

 went out and found herself standing on the bank, facing toward the 

 deep water, above a steep precipice. 



I looked around and saw a big camp-circle a short distance above 

 the river, and also there was still a visiting camp of the Crow, and some 

 Shoshoni. The monster told me to paint myself in red when I wanted 

 to see him again and plunge into the river ; when coming out I was to 

 be cleansed from all impurities and offer some prayer. 



When I returned to the camp-circle, I found that my folks were 

 mourning in my behalf— some had cut their hair off, cut their flesh 

 and had gone through some tortures ; but when they saw me, they were 

 so glad to see me again alive, since they knew I was drowned. When the 

 people asked me about my disappearance I told them that they turned 

 me loose. 



After I had remained in camp for some time I painted myself 

 all over the body in red, thus living up to the way of my husband, the 

 water monster. This tipi, which was painted all in black with sym- 

 bolism — two monsters on one side, the sun in front, and at the back 

 of the tipi the half-moon, — was a gift to me, also a lot of medical sup- 

 plies ; but I did not want to make a tipi like it, because, as a rule, the 

 women are less thought of as doctors, etc. 



This monster is called by the Arapaho the Last Child. — "Hi-taw- 

 ku-saw." The Indians are to a certain extent afraid of deep holes in 

 rivers ; the children are forbidden to bathe at such places, because the 

 Indians occasionally saw some things (animals) or bad signs. They 

 would offer prayers to the Last Child for this water and kind treat- 

 ment. The four-footed animals stand the same chances (risks) as 

 human persons. 



Among the Northern Arapaho there is a story of an animal cap- 

 tured, which turned into a solid stone. The whole body (stone) was 

 carried out away from the river, and there were many presents given 



