OMAHA AND PONKA LETTERS. ee 
tédita" ¢anaji® (G.). Stress seems to be laid on the extreme length of 
fromit you stood. 
the visit. 
76, 7, ewa¢a¢ée-cti-ma, an unusual form of éwa¢a¢é-ma cti, from éwa¢e. 
TRANSLATION. 
My friend, these Indians have requested me to deliver a message. 
My friend, I will tell the words to you in order to tell them to all of 
you. These Indians have heard a message concerning themselves. 
After considering the subject, my friend, they have found it difficult 
Yor them. In fact, as it is very difficult for them, they have authorized 
me to speak for them, and so I tell you. At the very beginning of the 
spring, my friend, you came to the Omaha settlement, and you remained 
throughout the summer. You fully understand the situation of the 
Omaha young men. You know everything that they have. As they 
are without horses (to give away) I have said that what you propose is 
difficult for them (to perform). The people here have not traveled in 
any direction among the other tribes, and it has been so all through 
the winter. Therefore the Indians petition you (not to come). The 
Omahas fear that if you come you will be full of anxiety, and that you 
will make them full of anxiety, even those Omahas whom you have as 
your kindred. So they hope and pray that you will not come. If it 
does not please you (to stay away from us) the Omahas do not prevent 
your coming; they merely say that as a sort of petition to you. The 
Indians here do not have three horses apiece; they have only those 
[two ?| horses (apiece) which they use in working. We Indians |remem- 
ber how it has been told about?] the Indians of the olden times; how 
they visited one another in consequence of their regarding themselves 
as related. When they visited one another, they exchanged food and 
whatever else they had. You will think of that. We do not consider 
that you will disregard what has been said by me. As we have no 
horses (to give away), I have told you just how we are situated. Recon- 
sider the decision which you have reached. 
GIHAJI TO CORNELIUS RICKMAN. FEBRUARY, 1880. 
Te djttbaqtci widaxe. A™bad¢é té tidatqti éga" ie égar, 
Word very few I make to To-day the very good as Tam as, 
you. glad 
, rw , e , , Te ~ 
dda" wabae¢eze widaxe. Ki A¢ayikihide ka*b¢éga". Wicti 
there- letter [ make to And you take care I hope. I too 
fore you. of. yourself 
f 2. Pa , . *n/ . , prey *n/ 
éga" aayikihide. Ki tida®gqti ma™b¢i". Wind‘a®-maji i”’ta™ 
so Itake careofmy- And. very good I walk. I have not heard now 
self. from you 
a” ba-waqtibe té cadé gana. Ki eddda*-ctécte fwimaxe 
mysterious day the six that many. And whatsoever I baked you 
about 
