298 BUREAU OF AMERTCAlSr ETHNOT.OGY fBrr.T.. ot 



Analysis. — The fourth constitutes 55 per cent of the intervals in 

 this song, a peculiarity frequently noted in songs concerning animals. 

 Many other intervals in this song are seconds, which form part of 

 the descent of a fourth. An ascent of an eleventh is accomplished 

 in two intervals, with the introduction of the words. This repre- 

 sents the entire compass of the song, which contains the tones of 

 the fourth five-toned scale and is melodic in structure. Two rhythmic 

 imits occur, entirely different from each other. It is frequently 

 noted that two rhythmic units in a song have one or more measure 

 divisions alike. 



HORSE SOCIETY 



No dream of a horse was related to the writer, but there is among 

 the Teton Sioux an organization called the Horse society. It was 

 said that some of the songs in the following group were used in this 

 society, and were used also on the warpath to make a horse swift 

 and sure. The estimation in which the horse is held by the Sioux is 

 shown by a speech by Brave Buifalo. This speech was made before 

 the singing of his first song, and was recorded by the phonograph. 

 Freely translated it is as foUows: 



Of all the animals the horse is the best friend of the Indian, for without it he could 

 not go on long journeys. A horse is the Indian's most valuable piece of property. 

 If an Indian wishes to gain something, he promises his horse that if the horse will 

 help him he will paint it with native dye, that all may see that help has come to 

 him through the aid of his horse. 



Siya'ka said that on one occasion when he was hard pressed on 

 the warpath, he dismounted, and standing in front of his horse, 

 spoke to him, saying — 



We are in danger. Obey me promptly that we may conquer. If you have to run 

 for your life and mine, do your best, and if we reach home I will give you the best 

 eagle feather I can get and the finest sina' lit^la, and you shall be painted with the 

 best paint.' 



1 The eagle feather was tied to the horse's tail, and the sina' lu'ta was a strip of red cloth fastened around 

 the horse's neck. (See p. 388.) 



