DENSMORE] CHIPPEWA MUSIC II 85 



When deer or other large game were killed by the warriors it was 

 customary to hold a "breaking-bone contest" in the camp of the 

 recruits. This was conducted as follows: A marrow bone (usually 

 the leg bone) was laid on the ground. The man who intended to 

 test his skill took his place beside the bone and then walked eight 

 paces away from it. He was then blindfolded and, hatchet in hand, 

 walked toward the bone. When he thought himself near it, he struck 

 at it with his hatchet. Ma'djigi'jig illustrated this for the writer, but 

 age had shortenecl his steps and, blindfolded, he did not measure the 

 distance correctly. In the old days the man who cracked the bone 

 with the first blow of his hatchet hastened to carry away the spoils; 

 after being cooked the marrow was removed by means of a stick made 

 for the purpose. This was the only way in which a young warrior 

 on his first expedition could secure a taste of fat. He was not given 

 the prize unless he succeeded in actually breaking the bone, and much 

 merriment resulted from the misdirected efforts of many of the young 

 men. 



On their first war party men were required to put mittens on both 

 hands when they left the village and to wear them until they entered 

 a fight with the Sioux. These mittens were tied securely at the 

 wrist, from which a small stick was hung; this the recruit was ordered 

 to use in scratching his head or body. Faihng to do this, on reaching 

 home he would "break out with boils on his whole body." Some 

 recruits refused to wear mittens or to use the "scratch stick," and 

 Ma'djigi'jig recalled one instance in which a man became covered 

 with sores to so great an extent that he could scarcely reach home. 

 The old man gave as a reason for the regulation that the recruits 

 lacked the protective medicines carried by the warriors. 



Many rules were strictly enforced in the recruits' camp. Care was 

 taken to avoid stepping over any article belonging to another. Thus 

 if a man stepped across another's gun he was chased and severely 

 punished by the owner of the weapon, as such action was supposed to 

 render it useless. It was considered a bad omen for a recruit to see 

 a snake. 



Ma'djigi'jig related the story of an attack on a Sioux village, wliich 

 took place during his first war expedition. At dusk the leader of the 

 party sent several experienced men to reconnoiter. Under cover of 

 night they approached the Sioux village, counted the tipis, and esti- 

 mated the number of warriors. Soon after midnight they returned 

 and made their report. Preparations for a march were begun at 

 once and just before daybreak the Chippewa drew near the Sioux 

 village. The leader then called for the wind and the wind came. 

 The Sioux heard the wind singing through the tipi poles, and the 

 flapping of the tipi canvas, but they did not hear the soft tread of the 

 Chippewa as the latter entered the camp. The Chippewa lowered 



