3i8 Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. V. 



For some time there was a great famine in the camp. Men, old 

 and young, would get out to spy the buffalo, but without success. The 

 animals were out of reach, and great was the trouble. People could 

 not see the reason why there was a famine all at once. All that time 

 Blood-Clot-Girl was growing rapidly and young men were greatly 

 charmed by her beauty. 



"Say, grandmother, I wish you would go over and ask the parents ' 

 if I can marry that girl," said a young boy, an old woman's pet, in a 

 lazy voice, but to the point. "Oh, grandchild, do you mean really what 

 you said? You are so young and childish yet, besides, your appear- 

 ance is such that you will surely be rejected. Oh, I do pity you, but 

 I don't know but it is worth while to go and ask," said the old woman, 

 scratching her Head. "Oh, my grandmother, I wish you would try, 

 anyhow. Just tell them I want to marry their daughter," said the old 

 woman's pet. 



When the old folks were traveling to reach the camp, the mother 

 had said if the daughter should be asked for a wife, they would con- 

 sent, even if the man should be poor and ugly, as long as they could de- 

 pend upon him for support. 



So the old woman finally placed her things in order and prepared 

 to go over. Taking her robe, and placing it on her back, she went out 

 and reached the chief's tipi. 



"Welcome! Welcome! What do you want this morning?" said 

 the men sitting inside smoking in the tipi. "Poor and meek as I am, 

 I come over on behalf of my grandchild. Understand me, people, 

 that I have come over for a serious matter," said the old woman. This 

 old woman stepped to the mother, father, brother and others, kissing 

 them for a good and soft answer. "My grandchild wishes or requests 

 a marriage with Blood-Clot-Girl," said she with quivering voice and 

 much sympathy. So great and touching was the request that it was 

 granted. "Old woman, you may know that your dear grandchild 

 can have the girl. Go and tell him about it. The young girl will be 

 ready to go over soon," said the parents. 



The son-in-law and his wife had now arrived and were camping 

 near the old folks, but seldom conversed with them. Of course this son- 

 in-law tried to get the girl. When the older sister heard of the mar- 

 riage of Blood-Clot-Girl and the young man, she went to the old wo- 

 man's tipi and entered to see them. "Oh, pshaw ! I don't see how you 

 can ever stand the filth and degradation here. Such an ugly man you 

 have got-," said she, vomiting in going out of the tipi. 



