Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 275 



a big herd and made water bags, when they all gathered at the lake 

 and began to dip out the water from the lake, in order to catch Split- 

 Rump, the little bird. The people began dipping out the water land emp- 

 tied it at a sloping place or ravine. They worked day after day, and got 

 tired, because the water was still coming- out from the bottom. The lake 

 was partially dipped out, as shown by its water marks. 



"Now, you great fool, you will remain close to this lake, and you 

 shall not fly high or leave this place, but stay with it !" said the people 

 angrily. 



This bird is found in buffalo wallows or lakes. It is called "the 

 packed [in a cradle] bird of the geese." 



Split-Rump was the little bird who danced in the beginning of the 

 Sun-dance, and spit out the cut-bone shells ("wampum shells"). In 

 those times, women had their choice for husbands ; when some time had 

 elapsed, young men had to work to earn their wives. The taking of the 

 beautiful woman from Split-Rump is paralleled to-day. A man may 

 love his wife, but if the wife is taken by another, there is no mercy with 

 him. The girls used to run around to suit themselves, in other words 

 were at liberty, until the time when the mother-in-law of this beautiful 

 woman above mentioned was instructed by Split-Rump to watch his 

 wife and keep her at home. This showed a sort of jealousy on the part 

 of the man. The young girls are therefore constantl}* watched by the 

 mothers. — D. 



Told by Black-Horse. Cf. No. 89. 



122. — The White Crow.' 



There was a white crow who kept all the buffalo ; he had them all 

 inclosed and he alone owned them. Close to a camp the people were 

 playing with the sacred arrows and the sacred wheel. Two young men 

 threw the wheel towards an obstacle and then followed it just as if they 

 were running a race. As the wheel was about to strike the obstacle they 

 both threw at it with thei/sticks. One side was losing much. A young 

 man, wearing a white robe and carrying a quiver on his back, came 

 and lay down flat on the ground in order to see the game. As the 

 play continued, a young man, one of those who are always meddling, 

 said to the newcomer: "My friend, let me look at your arrows," and 

 took his quiver. Then he found eyes that the other was carrying with 

 him to eat. When the stranger with the white blanket went off, the 

 people said : "Look ! Look ! It is the white crow. Watch where he 



' Text: informant A. Translation not certain in parts. 



