STEVENSON.] 



MIRACLES OF THE SIA. 65 



The circle was entered at the southeast, Ma'asewe passing around the 

 circle to the left was followed by half of the people, Uyuuyew6 passing 

 to the right around the circle, preceded the remainder. As soon as they 

 had all entered Po'shaiyiinne closed the opening; he did not go into the 

 circle but stood by the entrance. The deer were gradually gathered 

 into a close group and were then shot with arrows. When all the deer 

 had been killed they were flayed, and the flesh and skins carried to the 

 village. As they passed from the circle Po'sh.aiyanne said, " Now carry 

 your meat home. Give your largest deer to the ti'amoui and the smaller 

 ones to the people of your houses." After the Sia had started for their 

 village Po'shaiyiinne destroyed the circle of meal and then returned 

 to the ti'iimoni, who said : " You, indeed, spoke the truth, for my people 

 have brought many deer, aud I am much pleased. On the morrow we 

 will kill rabbits." The ti'iimoni informed the coyote of his wish for the 

 rabbits, and in the morning a large fire was made, and the coyote spoke 

 to the fire, saying: "We desire many rabbits but we do not wish to go 

 far." He tlien threw meal to the cardinal points, zenith, and nadir, 

 and prayed that the sun father would cause the small and large rabbits 

 to gather together that they might not have to go a great distance to 

 find them, for as he, the father, wished, so it would be, and Ma'asewe 

 and the coyote sat down while the people gathered around the tire and 

 passed their rabbit sticks through the flames. Then Ma'asewe directed 

 them to start on the hunt. They formed into an extensive circle sur- 

 rounding the rabbits, and a great number were secured. Some were 

 killed by being struck immediately over their hearts. It was very late 

 when the people returned to the village laden with rabbits. 



The ti'amoni said : " Day after to-morrow we will have a feast." 

 Po'shaiyiinne agreeing, said: "It is well, father." All the women 

 worked hard for the feast. Half of their number worked for the ti'iimoni 

 aud half for Po'shaiyiinne. The ti'iimoni going alone to the house of 

 Po'shaiyiinne, said: "Listen: to-morrow you will have the great feast 

 at your house." Po'shaiyiinne replied: " No, father; you are the elder, 

 and you must have it at your house." The ti'iimoni answered : " Very 

 well, my house is good and large ; I will have it there." 



In the morning, when the sun was still new, the ti'amoni had the 

 ^east spread — bowls of mush, bread, aud meat; and he said to Po'shai- 

 yiinne, who was present: "Father, if you have food bring it to my 

 house and we will have our feast together." Po'shaiyiinne replied: "It 

 IS well, father ;" and, to the astonishment of all, Po'shaiyiinne's food im- 

 mediately appeared. It was spread on tables;' the bowls holding the 

 food being very beautiful, such as had never before been seen. The 

 ti'amoni told Ma'asewe to bid the people come to the feast; and all, in- 

 cluding the most aged men and women and youngest children, were 

 present. Upon entering the house they were surprised with the things 



* This reference to tables appears to evidence tiie fact that this portion of the cosmogony is of later 

 date, and the whole paragraph savors of a coloring from Christian or biblical teaching. 

 11 ETH 5 



