224 THE OSAGE TRIBE (eth. axx. 36 



115. I shall make search for a way. 



116. Thereupon, even against the current, 



117. He pushed forth in a zigzag line. 



118. He came to a third bend in the current, 



119. Where he paused and spake, saying: It is not possible, O, my 



grandchildren. 



120. Although it is not possible for me to give you help, 



121. I will tell you that my walk in life is upon the surface of the 



water. 



122. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 



123. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



124. They shall be free from all causes of death as they travel the 



path of life. 



125. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



126. They shall cause themselves to be difficult to over- 

 come by death. 



127. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



128. They shall enable themselves to live to see old age as 

 they travel the path of life. 



129. What is here said shall stand. 



130. What said they? it has been said, in this house. 



131. The people said: It is not possible for the little ones 

 to dwell upon the surface of the water. 



Fig. 14. — The 132. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, m 



leech, (Cour- ^-^is houSe, 



tesy of Dr. ' 



wm. E. saf- 133. The Sho'-ka hastened to the Red-breasted leech 



ford.) (gg_ ;^4) ■ 



134. And quickly returned with him. 



135. To the Eed-breastedrleech the people spake, saying: O, grand- 



father, 



136. It is not possible for the little ones to dwell upon the surface of 



the water. 



137. We ask you to make search for a way out of our difficulty. 



138. The Leech replied: You say it is not possible for the little ones 



to dwell upon the surface of the water. 



139. You ask me to search for a way out of your difficulty. 



140. I shall make search for a way. 



141. Thereupon he pushed forth, even agamst the current, 



142. Pullmg himself repeatedly as he pushed on. 



143. He came to a fourth bend in the current, 



144. Where he paused and spake, saying: It is not possible, O, my 



grandchildren. 



145. Although it is not possible for me to give you help. 



