Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 321 



"Well, then, wife (old woman, the mode of address by the husband), 

 go over and have it announced to the public that pine branches that 

 have pitch be brought in." This was done and it made quite a black 

 smoke. This white crow was then held over the dark smoke until its 

 whole body was colored. Then it was taken and its bill rubbed to and 

 fro on the chips by the old woman's pet, and it was told that the rest of 

 its life it should be common, and its appetite should be satisfied by 

 chips, eyes and skulls of animals. It then flew off toward the 

 slaughter places and hopped about, cawing loudly, but only to attract 

 attention. — D. 



Told by River-Woman. Cf.lNo. 132 and No. 122 for the incident of the white bird and the 

 buffalo. The Pawnee also have this incident e.xpanded into a lengthy tale. 



134. — The Porcupine and the Woman who climbed to the Sky. 



Sun an^ IVIoon were brothers in the family. There was a camp- 

 circle along the river. One night when Moon was shining brightly, 

 as were also all the stars, there were young women sitting outside en- 

 joying the night breeze. One of them said that she wished very much 

 that she could marry Moon. Of course Moon heard the remark and 

 considered the matter. Another one said to her companions, "Oh ! I 

 do wish that I could marry that bright star !" So with the rest of the 

 women, each expressed her choice. 



One day Sun and Moon had an argument in regard to the women. 

 ^'Who do you think is the best looking -creature below us for wives ?" 

 said Sun to his brother. Moon. "Well, let us see for ourselves," said 

 Moon. So one day they both looked down to earth and viewed the in- 

 habitants carefully. "Well, brother, I can't see prettier creatures 

 than those human women below ; when they look at me their faces 

 ^eem charming, and I can't help but go after one," said Moon. "Oh! 

 those ugly-looking creatures, I don't want them, their faces are hor- 

 rible, showing wrinkles, and they have small eyes. For my part, I am 

 going to select one of the water animals for a wife!" said Sun. (The 

 water animals have larger eyes and their sight is not affected by the 

 heat of the sun, therefore their faces are smooth in appearance.) 



One morning there were four women going out after a load of 

 wood. They were scattered in the timber, and one of them went to a 

 nice white-looking cotton wood tree (dead) to get her load. Moon 

 himself appeared on the cottonwood as a porcupine. When she viewed 

 the tree, she saw the porcupine on a branch. She called her com- 

 panions for assistance, so they came to her. This porcupine had beau- 

 tiful quills, which this woman was trying to get. She climbed the 



