786 THE GHOST-DANCE RELIGION [eth.ann.h 



with the dance. They were then expecting the Indian redeemer to 

 appear on earth some time within three or four years. They were par- 

 ticularly anxious to have it understood that their intentions were not 

 hostile toward the whites and that they desired to live in peace with 

 them until the redeemer came, but that then they would be unable to 

 prevent their destruction even if they wished. (J. F. L., 3.) 



The manner of the final change aud the destruction of the whites 

 has been variously interpreted as the doctrine was carried from its 

 original center. East of the mountains it is commonly held that a deep 

 sleep will come on the believers, during which the great catastrophe 

 will be accomplished, and the faithful will awake to immortality on a 

 new earth. The Shoshoni of Wyoming say this sleep will continue 

 four days and nights, and that on the morning of the fifth day all will 

 opeu their eyes in a new world where botli races will dwell together 

 forever. The Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and others, of Oklahoma, 

 say that the new earth, with all the resurrected dead from the begin- 

 ning, and with the buffalo, the elk, and other game upon it, will come 

 from the west and slide over the surface of the present earth, as the 

 right hand might slide over the left. As it approaches, the Indians will 

 be carried upward and alight on it by the aid of the sacred dance 

 feathers which they wear in their hair and which will act as wings 

 to bear them up. They will then become unconscious for four days, 

 and on waking out of their trance will find themselves with their 

 former friends in the midst of all the oldtime surroundings. By Sitting 

 hull, the Arapaho apostle, it is thought that this new earth as it 

 advances will be preceded by a wall of fire, which will drive the whites 

 across the water to their original and proper country, while the Indians 

 will be enabled by means of the sacred feathers to surmount the flames 

 and reach the promised land. Wbeu the expulsion of the whites has 

 been accomplished, the fire will be extinguished by a rain continuing 

 twelve days. By a few it is believed that a hurricane with thunder 

 and lightning will come to destroy the whites alone. This last idea is 

 said to be held also by the Walapai of Arizona, who extend its provisions 

 to include the unbelieving Indians as well. (<?. 1>., 6.) The doctrine 

 held by the Caddo, Wichita, and Delaware, of Oklahoma, is practically 

 the same as is held by the Arapaho and Cheyenne from whom they 

 obtained it. All these tribes believe that the destruction or removal 

 of the whites is to be accomplished entirely by supernatural means, and 

 they severely blame the Sioux for having provoked a physical conflict 

 by their impatience instead of waiting for their God to deliver them in 

 his own good time. 



Among all the tribes which have accepted the new faith it is held 

 that frequent devout attendance on the dance conduces to ward off 

 disease and restore the sick to health, this applying not only to the 

 actual participants, but also to their children aud friends. The idea of 

 obtaining temporal blessings as the reward of a faithful performance 



