DENSMOBE] CHIPPEWA MUSIC II 171 



retired, and the singing was done by the party at the other Chippewa 

 drum. Only Bi'jikens and the pipe bearer remained near the chief 

 drum. 



Wis 'kino then crossed the circle, and taking a young man by the 

 hand, led him to a seat on the matting beside the drum. This was 

 the man whom Wis 'kino had selected to have charge of the pipe 

 belonging to the drum. It would be his duty to see that the pipe was 

 always filled and also to be present whenever the drum was taken 

 from Wis 'kino's liouse for use m a general assembly. The pipe belong- 

 ing to the drum was then presented to Wis 'kino by the Chippewa 

 pipe bearer. 



The drum was then considered transferred to Wis 'kino. He brought 

 Menominee men and women and seated them beside it, and his aid 

 took the seat next to the entrance, where the Chippewa aid had been 

 seated. All the gifts bestowed by the Chippewa were divided among 

 the Menommee, Wis 'kino hunself supermtending the distribution. 

 While this was being done the Menominee erected the supports of the 

 drum and put it m position; then they sang, drummmg lightly on 

 the edge of the drum. 



After this song Wis 'kino stood beside the drum, holding in his hand 

 the long drumstick with the loon neck at the end (see p. 146). With 

 this he pretended to strike the drum three times and as many times 

 drew back. The fourth time he touched the drum lightly, and at the 

 same time each of the four leading drummers struck it a sharp blow 

 with his decorated drumstick. The Song of the Owner of the Drum 

 (No. 57) burst forth, signifying that the drum belonged fully to the 

 Menominee. The striking -of the drum by Wis 'kino was done with 

 great dramatic effect; his feints at striking held the people in sus- 

 pense, and the final tap was welcomed as a relief from the tension. 

 The Menommee drummers took up their task with right good will, 

 singmg a number of Menominee songs. 



It was then the turn of the Menommee to present gifts to the Chip- 

 pewa, though it was not expected that a full equivalent would be 

 given at that time. A blanket was spread on the ground, and on it 

 were laid articles similar to those which the Chippewa had given to 

 the Menominee. 



Wis'ldno made a speech concernmg the drum, saying that he would 

 take good care of it and that the persons whom he had selected as his 

 drum party could use it whenever they desired to do so. He pre- 

 sented Bi'jikens with three or four new blankets and added several 

 crisp bank notes which he took from his wallet. The two then shook 

 hands and sat down side by side. 



The day was wearing to a close. Rising in then- places, the pipe 

 bearers agam presented their pipes to the circle of the sky, lighted 

 them, and passed them from one to another in the assembly, each 

 person puffing the pipe. 



