54 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 45 



bearing him gently on his green blanket. Then they sang in his 

 lodge. Instead of the Mide' drum they used the sharp, thin, doctor's 

 drum and two rattles. The songs were different from those previously 

 used, and of a melancholy cadence, the interval of the sixth being 

 flatted. 



Two hours later Flat Mouth died, his death being announced by 

 twenty rifle shots. This is the custom of the tribe, a few shots 

 announcing the death of a child and a larger number that of an 

 adult. As is customary with the tribe, the body was immediately 

 arrayed in the best apparel and ornaments of the deceased ; beside it 

 were laid his pipe, fan, and rifle, also a cushion with a woven cover. 

 In the early evening the ceremony was concluded briefly, as few" had 

 the heart to dance. Flat Mouth's widow sat next the eastern en- 

 trance, where he had lain that morning, and the dancers ''shot" 

 their medicine bags at her as they passed. The chief's sister held 

 a Mide' shell in her hand and frequently extended it toward Flat 

 Mouth's widow, who breathed on it, whereupon the sister danced again 

 around the drum. 



The Mide' drum used on this occasion was decorated in black, 

 with a border at the base consisting of a broad band and four deep 

 points. This was said to represent the pointed top of the ]\Iide' 

 inclosure. Above this was the recumbent figure of an animal similar 

 to that shown in the drawing of song no. 94 (catalogue no. 1). The 

 top of this drum was of tanned deerskin, held tightly in place by a 

 hoop wound with cloth. The singers stood and held the drum by 

 the corners of the leather which formed the top. Occasionally the 

 widow of Flat Mouth rose and, taking hold of a corner of the leather, 

 stood silently and sadly beside the singers a few moments. There 

 were usually four singers at the drum, one after another acting as 

 leader; each pounded on the drum. One or two rattles were also 

 used. 



At the close of the dance the medicine party went to their respec- 

 tive lodges, each carrying a bundle of small gifts. All that night the 

 sound of the Mide' drum and the monotonous singing were heard. 



The next morning the Mide'winl'nl conducted what corresponded 

 to a funeral ceremon3^ The lodge was tightly closed, but the voices 

 could be plainly heard. The leaders were rehearsing the beliefs of 

 the Mide' and assuring the family of Flat Mouth of their reality. 

 Then they addressed the spirit of the dead chief, as it is believed that 

 the spirit lingers near the body until burial. One after another they 

 sat beside him, telling him to be careful to avoid certain turns in the 

 road to the Spirit Land, or to trust certain spirits who would meet 

 and assist him. They spoke with extreme rapidity, punctuating the 

 words with occasional sharp beats on the drum. 



