MU0SEV] THE COYOTE MEN 985 



Translation 



Little boy, the coyote gun — 

 Little boy, the coyote gun — 

 I have uncovered it — Ahe'e'ye' ! 

 I have uncovered it — Ahe'e'ye' ! 

 There is the sheath lying there. 

 There is the sheath lying then-. 



This song was composed by Nakash, or "Sage," one of the northern 

 Arapaho delegates to the messiah. It evidently refers to one of his 

 trance experiences in the other world, and has to do with an interesting 

 feature in the sociology of the Arapaho and other prairie tribes. The 

 ga'ahin&na of gaahi'na, "coyote men," were an order of men of middle 

 age who acted as pickets or lookouts for the camp. When the band 

 encamped in some convenient situation for hunting or other business, 

 it was the duty of these men, usually four or six in a band, to take 

 their stations on the nearest hills to keep watch and give timely warn- 

 ing in case of the approach of an enemy. It was an office of danger 

 and responsibility, but was held in corresponding respect. When on 

 duty, the gaahi'nen wore a white buffalo robe and had his face painted 

 with 'white clay and carried in his hand the ya'haga'ahi'na or "coyote 

 gnu," a club decorated with feathers and other ornaments and usually 

 covered with a sheath of bear gut (i'tha'q). He must be unmarried 

 and remain so while in office, finally choosing his own successor and 

 delivering to him the "coyote gun" as a staff of authority. They were 

 never all off duty at the same time, but at least half were always on 

 guard, one or more coming down at a time to the village to eat or 

 sleep. They built no shelter on the hills, but slept there in their buffalo 

 robes, or sometimes came down in turn and slept in their own tipis. 

 They usually, however, preferred to sleep alone upon the hills in order 

 to receive inspiration in dreams. If attacked or surprised by the 

 enemy, they were expected to fight. The watcher was sometimes called 

 Mga'ahi'na-it, "the man with the coyote gun." The corresponding 

 officer among the Cheyenne carried a bow and arrows instead of a club. 



42. Hk'sCna' xa nahatha'hi 



He'siina' na'nahatha'hi, 

 He'siina' na'nahatha'hi. 

 Ni'itu'qawigu'nie', 

 Ni'itu'qawigu'nie'. 



Translation 



The father showed me, 

 The father showed me, 

 Where they were coming down, 

 Where they were coming dowu. 



In his trance vision the author of this song saw the spirit hosts 

 descending from the upper shadow land to the earth, along the mountain 



