THE SEMINOLE INDIANS. 1 7 



lighted by rubbing two sticks together. At the present time the fire 

 is started by the medicine man, and the squaws are not allowed 

 to come near the fire, which is still reserved, as in ancient days, 

 for the warriors who drink the black drink. 



In building this fire they place the sticks pointed to the four points 

 of the compass, and, in fact, the Indians at all times arrange their 

 logs by placing all the ends together, somewhat resembling the 

 spokes of a wheel, which is probably a traditional method of build- 

 ing a fire, possibly originated by the ceremony of the Green Corn 

 Dance or Busk. 



The Indian women attach strings of turtle shells filled with peb- 

 bles (seven on each string) to their legs. While the dancing goes 

 on the women stamp about, rattling these shells, keeping time with 

 the dancers. 



I have never seen a white man who has attended a Green Corn 

 Dance, but I have been told there are several who have done so, 

 although it is claimed they have not been allowed to remain during 

 the entire celebration. The dance usually lasts from four to five 

 days. The first day they do a great deal of dancing, which is car- 

 ried on far into the night. When one Indian becomes tired another 

 takes his place, and sometimes a half a dozen or more dance together. 

 After this the dancing is intermittent. The second day the young 

 men go out and bring in game for the feast ; the third and fourth 

 days are spent in feasting and drinking. This is the official pro- 

 gram, but I am afraid the affair is not always conducted according 

 to established custom, as nowadays the white man's whisky plays an 

 important part in the celebration. This is totally at variance with 

 the ancient custom as practised by the Indians a century ago, when 

 the dancing and jollity did not commence until the fourth day. 



In those days things were decidedly different and the affair was 

 conducted with great ceremony. All offenses were forgiven on the 

 occasion of this festival, which took place early in August instead 

 of June, as it does now (perhaps on account of the country inhabited 

 by the tribe being so much farther north and the corn ripening 

 later). On the morning of the first day the medicine man, dressed 



