Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Kroeber. 399 



shall go to that grove of timber and surround it to kill the elk. Every- 

 body who can go and shoot with a bow and arrow, get ready. Save 

 for Elk-Woman the teeth and a number of hides, for her dress !" So in 

 the morning, the people surrounded the grove and began shooting at the 

 animals until they were all slaughtered. The people were all satisfied, 

 having taken an immense supply of beef, and everybody in the camp 

 was grateful to Elk- Woman, and brought her the teeth and a number of 

 hides, for her dress, for they had been starving for some time. Blue- 

 Feather felt very proud of his wife. 



After Buffalo- Woman had seen what had taken place among the 

 people, when her husband had gone out to do the work outside (per- 

 haps after game along the river) she started off, without giving any rea- 

 sons. When the husband returned he found his wife gone. When 

 he inquired after her he was told that his wife and her boy had taken 

 a' course away from the camp-circle. So he set out after her and finally 

 reached her, still going on. "'Stop, my wife! Where are you going? 

 What is the matter at our tipi? You ought to think about our boy, 

 so young as he is. to travel on foot ! Will you please stop and let us 

 return,"' said Blue-Feather. Buffalo- Woman slackened her walk and 

 finally stopped. They both went back to their tipi, contented again. 

 "Now, husband, that you have followed me up and got me to our tipi, I 

 want you to tell the people that where you overtook me, near that big 

 slough or buffalo wallow, there will be a herd of buffalo of all sizes. 

 Be sure to tell your people not to get tired of skinning the buffalo. Get 

 them to sharpen their spears, arrows and their stone knives and to 

 have 'their dogs tied up well. Don't let any one strike a dog or make 

 any unnecessary noise, for the buffalo is very sensitive and wild, and 

 bring me the tongues of the buffalo." So this husband got an old man 

 to cry out to the people in the camp : "All you people, listen ! This is 

 what Buffalo- Woman, the wife of Blue-Feather, says to you : 'To- 

 morrow you shall go to the flat, near that big slough ; there you will 

 find an immense herd of buffalo grazing, which you will at once sur- 

 round and with your bows and arrows shoot, until every animal is 

 killed. You can bring me any number of tongues and hearts if you 

 want to,' " said the old man. So the people got up very early in the 

 morning and went to the place and did as they were directed. Again 

 the people slaughtered the buffalo and everybody was well supplied with 

 beef and hides. Buffalo- Woman was congratulated by all the people 

 for her luck, besides the husband expressed his good will to her. 

 "Surely, my wife, I am very proud of your success and shall live with 

 you to the best of my knowledge," said Blue-Feather. The people 



