Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 357 



in order, she began with her quilled work on a buffalo robe, facing to 

 the sun-beam. While she was busy at the robe there came out of the 

 distance, a strange, prolonged voice, saying, ''I have dropped it!'' But 

 she did not answer or make any sign of attention. 



The strange call ceased ; then, quite late in the evening, her hus- 

 band returned, dropping his load and saying to his wife, 'T have brought 

 home a beef for you. Come out and take it into the tipi." Recognizing 

 her husband's voice, she laid aside the robe, went out, and it was her 

 own husband standing by the beef. She congratulated him for his good 

 luck and took the beef inside, which she at once sliced, at the same time 

 boiling some for their supper. Both had a good meal, chatted much 

 over their future prospects, and finally retired for the night. 



The next morning, this husband got up early and went to a hill 

 just a few paces from the tipi, to look for game. His wife had in the 

 mean time made the fire and soon had some tender meat boiled in the pot. 

 The husband returned to the tipi and told her that the atmosphere was 

 so clear he could see objects at a great distance, saying, 'T am sure that 

 I can get antelope and other game located more readily to-day than 

 yesterday," taking his dish of good fresh meat. 'T hope that you will 

 be lucky to-day and be able to come home sooner. Oh ! I do wish you 

 would bear in mind to come home early !" said his wife, dipping the 

 meat in the broth, chewing the same and swallowing it. "Yes, I shall 

 try and come home soon," said he, asking for more meat. "Well, dear 

 wife, listen to me again ! Remember that you will be alone to-day. 

 Don't answer any strange voice during my absence. Be attentive to 

 your usual work and always act with good judgment," said he. as he was 

 getting ready for the hunt. 



So he started off on another course and carried his bow-case and 

 quiver of arrows, looking around as he went. His wife, after doing the 

 chores inside and hanging the sliced meat on a pole inside, took the 

 robe again and began to quill. She was working on the robe to finish 

 it before her delivery so that she had made a luncheon at noon on good 

 muscle, with delicious marrow. Late in the afternoon, as she was yet 

 at the buffalo robe, there came out again that strange voice, saying in 

 long drawn out tone, 'I have dropped it." But she did not give atten- 

 tion, but kept on with the quilled work. There was no further calling 

 and there was great tranquillity, except for the singing of the birds 

 in the distant woods and hills. The sun as it set, gave a beautiful color 

 to the sky and upon the tipi. 



Just a little after dark, there came footsteps in front of the tipi. 

 'I have brought home for you a beef. Come out and take it Inside,"'' 



