Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 183 



So he started off toward the camp-circle and got to a divide and 

 saw a creek which had plenty of timber, and there was a smoky atmos- 

 phere in the timber. Finally he reached a well tanned tipi, standing 

 alone. He went around to keep from being seen, but the old woman 

 saw the young man. "Oh, grandchild ! Come over, quickly ! Where 

 are you going to, anyhow? Take a little rest. You have all day for 

 yourself," said the old woman. So this young man had to stop for a 

 rest. "Will you please come and tramp on my spinal column. Oh, 

 tny backbone and sides, where my kidneys are, do pain me very much, 

 1 have been suffering for some time,"' said the old woman. So this 

 young man tramped on the old woman, and she felt relieved. "If you 

 would step down a little further and tramp on my sides, easily and 

 lightly, it would do," said the old woman. The young man went on 

 her body and stepped on a sharp spike, and dropped dead instantly. 

 The old woman then dragged him inside and staked him like the ethers, 

 cleaned her pipe, and placed the waste on his eyes, mouth and on his 

 breast. 



"Well, sister, I am going cut after my brothers : I cannot do with- 

 out them, they have been absent long enough," said another brother, 

 "Oh, no, brother ! I think that it would not be advisable for you to go, 

 for there are so few of us left, I can't stay here without some pro- 

 tection," said the sister: ''^But, sister, if I find that they are enjoying 

 themselves, and that they cannot get away, I will make it my duty 

 to return soon. Above all, I shall make an effort to make them return 

 to us," said the young man. The sister consented and let her brother 

 start off on the journey to look for his brothers. 



He came also to a tipi, along the creek, which had some timber. 

 He went around it, but the old woman said to him, *'Oh, my dear 

 grandchild ! Come ever and rest for a while. What brought you over 

 here ? and what makes you go around my tipi ? and why are you in a 

 hurry?" said the old woman. "Well, grandmother, my brothers went 

 away to visit the other camp, but they have not yet returned. I am in a 

 hurry, and I cannot stop to talk with you," said the young man. ' Oh, 

 grandchild, will you please wait a while and tramp on my backbone; 

 your brothers did the same way for me when they passed here, and you 

 should not hesitate to do the same favor," said the old woman. So 

 this young man finally consentedj and the old woman lay down with 

 her face to the ground. The young man tramped on her backbone, 

 easily, to relieve the pain, obliging the old woman. "Say, grandchild, 

 will you please step a little further down on my sides ; it will relieve my 



