Oct.. 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 219 



and occasionally peeped out. "Well, dear nephews, I am so glad to 

 find you all contented. You are so lovely and charming that I can't 

 help but take you all in my arms at the same time," said the little 

 boy. "Now, nephews, I have brought a bowl of nice greasy stock for 

 you all. I want you to drink it quickly, so that I can return it soon, 

 then I can come back again to play with you. The people will think 

 that I am amusing myself if they should see me, but you must be 

 quiet and stay close to your tipi." So the little ones got around the 

 bowl outsi'de of the shelter and licked the stock, without taking much 

 breath. "Oh, my ! that is a very nice one, and this one too. They are 

 all nice and good natured," said the little boy, rubbing their bodies. 

 After the little ones had drunk the stock or soup, he put them inside 

 of the shelter. These little ones had their stomachs loaded heavily, 

 which gave them a swelled appearance. 



The little boy then carried the bowl back to the tipi slyly, then re- 

 turned to them. "Here I am again, dear nephews. How are you 

 getting along? Come out of there and let us have a good time," said 

 the little boy. They were getting quite big by this time and able to run 

 about. This little boy led them around, playing hide and seek, bear, 

 etc "Well, nephews, I have got to go back very soon, for my sister 

 might learn of my good time. Let us all go back to the shelter," said 

 the little boy, running ahead and the little ones following him. These 

 little ones would prance about him and bite themselves for pastime. 



"Now, dear nephews, be contented until I return. I am going back 

 home and have a good rest. So you had all better go inside and do 

 the same," said the little boy. These little ones entered the shelter, 

 while he started ofif, jumping about on the way. Before reaching his 

 home, he stopped at some blue-stem grass and played by himself, hum- 

 ming away and howling once in a while, so that the old folks might 

 think that he was enjoying himself. It was getting quite late. Still the 

 boy amused himself at a short distance. "Oh, Big-Belly (an expres- 

 sion applied to a small boy, for the reason that his stomach is never 

 empty), come here quickly and come home and eat your supper," said 

 the mother with clear voice. The little boy ceased playing and went 

 over to thd tipi singing and whistling on the way. 



"Say, mother, I was playing husband' by myself below that tall 

 grass," said the little boy. "Is that so? Well! You are so funny! 

 Take this and eat it, then get to bed," said the mother. "Give me a 

 bigger piece, mother, for I am so hungry," said the little boy, smacking 

 his lips. "Well, here, you take this fat piece and when you get enough. 



