89 6 



THE GHOST-DANCE RELIGION 



[ETH. A>"N. 14 



been denouncing him as a humbug, but who, ou finally meeting him for 

 the first time, declares that the opinion formed before seeing him 

 began to change in his favor almost immediately. (G. D., 53.) In con- 

 versation with the author Sitting Bull stated that he was originally a 

 southern Arapaho, but went up to live with the northern branch of the 

 tribe, in Wyoming, about 1S76. When a boy in the south he was 

 known as Bitaye, "Captor," but on reaching manhood his name was 

 changed, in conformity with a common Indian custom, toHana'cha-thi'ak, 

 "Sitting Bull." On returning to the south, after having visited the 

 messiah, he found his brother known under the same name, and to 

 avoid confusion the brother then adopted the name of Scabby Bull, 

 by which he is now known. It should be mentioned that an Indian 



Fig, s:i_sittmg Bull the Arapaho apostle. 



"brother" may be only a cousin, as no distinction is made in the Indian 

 system. ( )n removing to the south he fixed his abode near Cantonment, 

 Oklahoma, where he now resides. 



With regard to the reverence in which he was held by his disciples 

 at this time, and of his own sincerity. Captain Scott says: 



It was very difficult to net an opportunity to talk with him quietly on account of 

 the persistent manner in which he was followed about. All sorts of people wanted 

 to touch him, men an.l women would come in. rub their hands on him, and cry. which 

 demonstration he received with a patieilt fortitude that was rather ludicrous at 

 times. While he by no means told us everything he knew, it was easy to believe 

 that he was not the rank impostor that 1 had before considered him. lie makes no 

 demands for presents w hile at these camps. This trip entailed a ride of 200 miles in 



