( 



Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 267 



people that a strange incident had occurred to them while on the war- 

 path. — D. 



' Told by Ridge-Bear. Said to have been obtained from the Comanche. 



iiQ. — Tourney to the Owners of Moon-shells. 



There was a camp-circle. In a certain family there were four 

 brothers, two of whom were lazy and dirty. The oldest, who was mar- 

 ried, kept these young men at his own tipi. He would advise them of 

 the necessity of early rising, and tell them of the duties performed by 

 men. "How in the world will either of you ever get to see the owners 

 of moon-shells if you sleep till this time of day? Get up and drink, 

 wash yourselves and dress, as you should. The people in the camp 

 make fun of us for your appearance. You are old enough to dress 

 nicely and to take care of yourselves," said the oldest brother, who was 

 married. 



One morning, after the two boys had dressed and eaten their meal, 

 they told their brother that they had made up their minds to live bet- 

 ter. These boys never combed their hair, their faces were dirty, and 

 their clothing was not in proper condition, although they were of age. 

 '"You may clean your own tipi, provide food and call the oldest men. 

 We want to be cleaned and dressed up like them," said the brothers. 

 The oldest brother did so. Soon the oldest men were in the tipi. The 

 boys went in, cleaned and dressed and came out different men. When 

 the people saw them they were surprised, because these boys were hard 

 to contend with. 



The next morning the boys started in search of the owners of 

 moon-shells, traveling night and day. Finally they came to an old 

 woman's tipi and went in. "Well, grandchildren, I am glad to see you. 

 Where are you going?" said the old woman, smiling. "We are look- 

 ing for the owners of moon-shells. Can you tell us the way?" said 

 the boys. "When I was a girl I heard about these people, who lived 

 a long distance from here, in the west." The boys went away and 

 reached another old woman's lodge. They went in, asking the same 

 question. The old woman told them that the owners of moon-shells 

 lived in the west. 



The boys then tried to make a long journey. This time they 

 reached another old woman's tipi. They went inside. This time the 

 old woman instructed and directed the boys as follows : "Yet a very 

 long way from here you will find a camp-circle. In the center of the 

 camp, in the west, there is a tipi with a banner, and you will find the 



