118 THE WA-WAC-KA-TCI-NA : 



arms. All were loaded down with great bundles of pi-ki, 1 

 bundles of corn and other eatables which had previously 

 been brought to the dressing place or recess in the rocks, 

 by the women. The Kd-tci-nds laid these bundles of food 

 on blankets placed on the ground at the north end of the 

 plaza, and stood in line facing the west as if challenging 

 the spectators to race. After the Ka-tci-nas and Pai-d- 

 Tcya-muh had deposited their prizes on the blanket, an old 

 priest shouted to the spectators. One after another, young 

 men accepted the invitation to race by walking to a posi- 

 tion in front of the line of Ka-tci-nas, and at a signal raced 

 across the plaza at the top of his speed pursued by a Pai- 

 d-kya-miih or a Kd-tci-na. Only one pair, however, raced 

 at a time, but, if the Kd-tci-nds overtook his opponent he 

 struck him once across the body or legs with a yucca leaf 

 which he held folded up in the right hand, tore his shirt 

 from the body of his opponent, or cut off a lock of his 

 hair. 



The prizes were distributed to those who entered the 

 lists by an old priest who directed the race. In one or two 

 instances the Kd-tci-nd was able to overtake the runner en- 

 tering against him ; in several, however, he was distanced, 

 but in all cases whether overtaken or not the contestant 

 received a prize. At the close of the race the yucca-wands 



l Pi-ki or paper bread is the national food, if that expression may be allowed, of 

 all the pueblo people. This is a kind ol corn bread which is fried on a flat 

 etone under which flre is burning. The batter is spread upon the greased stone 

 by the hand and as the pi-ki is fried, the thin wafer-like sheet is raised from the 

 stone and deposited in a heap. It is then either folded in squares or rolled in 

 bundles for consumption. The common kind is the color of the most of the wood 

 work, but bright red striped and other colored pi-ki are made. Several rolls oi 

 variegated pi-ki tied together side by side are not uncommon sights hanging to the 

 walls in dwelling rooms. At the time of the foot races he> - e described there was 

 a considerable quantity of red (stained with cockscomb flower) pi-ki among the 

 prizes. On occasions of ceremonies variegated pi-ki is common, but the favorite 

 disli at that time is a pudding mpi kmn-i. 



