The Last Piskun 259 



builded far out on the prairies, becoming 

 farther apart as they extended from the 

 cliff. At the latter point they nearly con- 

 verged so as to act as a chute. 



When all was in readiness most of the 

 members of the village stationed themselves 

 behind these diverging wings, where they 

 were carefully concealed, while a few of the 

 warriors went forth upon the plains to tole 

 the buffalo into the death-trap. 



Foremost of these was a medicine-man who 

 had fasted all night and prayed and suppli- 

 cated all the gods and devils that he knew 

 of for success. While he was gone upon 

 this expedition, his wife must stay in the 

 lodge, and not so much as look out for fear 

 of breaking the spell. 



He would advance slowly toward the 

 feeding bison. Sometimes he was dressed 

 in fantastic garb to attract their attention, 

 and frequently he would be inside a buffalo- 

 skin, made up in some semblance of the real 



