DENSMORE] TETON STOUX MUSIC 97 



fulfilling this vow I carried the lariat I had used in capturing the horse (fig. 21) fastened 

 to the flesh of my right shoulder and the figure of a horse cut from rawhide fastened 

 to my left shoulder. [Fig. 21 shows the lariat and whistle carried by Chased-by- 

 Bears.] 



Later in the same year I went with a party of about 20 warriors. As we approached 

 the enemy some of the men came to me saying that they desired to make Sun-dance 

 vows and asking if I would "speak the vow" for the party. (See p. 101.) Each man 

 came to me alone and made some gift with the request. He also stated what gifts he 

 would make at the Sun dance, but did not always say what part he intended to take in 

 the dance. One man said, "I will give my whole body to Wakag'tagka." I did not 

 imderstand what he meant, nor was it necessary that I should do so, but at the time of 

 the Sun dance he asked that his body be suspended entirely above the ground. 



Just before sunrise I told the warriors to stand side by side facing the East. I stood 

 behind them and told them to raise their right hands. I raised my right hand with 

 them and said: '' Wakaq'tagka, these men have requested me to make this vow for 

 them. 1 pray you take pity on us and on our families at home. We are now between 

 life and death. For the sake of our families and relatives we desire that you will 

 help us conquer the enemy and capture his horses to take home with us. Because 

 they are thankful for your goodness and will be thankful if you grant this request 

 these men promise that they \\'ill take part in the next Sun dance. Each man has 

 some offering to give at the proper time." 



We were successful and returned home victorious. Knowing that these men had 

 vowed to take part in the Sun dance, I saw that their vows were fulfilled at the next 

 ceremony and personally did the cutting of their arms and the suspension of their 

 bodies. I did this in addition to acting as Leader of the Dancers and fulfilling my own 

 vow. 



The second time I fulfilled a Sun-dance vow I also acted as Leader of the Dancers. 

 At that time I carried four buffalo skulls. They were so heavy that I could not stand 

 erect, but bowed myself upon a stick which I was permitted to use and danced in that 

 position (p. 133). 



When- the work with Chased-by-Bears was finished he went with 

 the ^^Tite^ and the interpreter to the spot where the final Sun dance 

 was held, a place which had been visited by the council of Indians 

 a few weeks before. The purpose of this visit was that Chased-by- 

 Bears might arrange the ceremonial articles on the "sacred place " 

 as would be done in a ceremony. 



The outline of the "sacred place" was made clear and intersect- 

 ing white lines were traced on the exposed earth. (Seepage 122.) 



A buffalo skull had been secured and brought to the place. Chased- 

 by-Bears spread fresh sage beside the "sacred place" and laid the 

 buffalo skull upon it. He then made a frame to support a pipe and 

 placed in ceremonial position a pipe which had been decorated by the 

 woman who decorated the Sun-dance pipe for the last tribal ceremony. 

 The group of articles was then photographed. (See pi. 20.) Sud- 

 denly Chased-by-Bears threw himself, face downward, on the ground, 

 with his head pressed against the top of the buffalo skull. This 

 was the position permitted a Leader of the Dancers when resting 



