LAFLESCHE] KITE OF VIGIL FREE TRANSLATION. 63 



cutting implies a wish that when the Osage warriors go against the 

 enemy they shall always succeed in destroying the warrior of the 

 enemy M^ho is honored for his military prowess. (2) The cut toward 

 the right indicates the east. (3) The cut toward the Sho'-ka in- 

 dicates the south. 



Without pause the recitation continues, and when the fourth line 

 of the eighth section is reached the Sho'-ka cuts again, in pantomime, 

 beginning at the center of the skin and ending at the edge at his left; 

 then beginning again at the center he cuts to the edge farthest from 

 himsell. This act also has a triple meaning: (1) There is implied in 

 the act of cutting that the Osage warriors who go against the enemy 

 shall always succeed in slaying the woman of the enemy who has 

 given birth to her first child. (2) The cut running from the center 

 to the left indicates the west. (3) The cut running from the center 

 to the edge farthest away from the Sho'-ka indicates the north. 



When these ceremonial acts have been perfomied the Sho'-ka lays 

 . aside the knife and takes up an awl, which he holds in readiness for 

 the acts that are to follow. 



The recitation continues, and when the fourth line of the ninth 

 section is reached the Sho'-ka gives an imaginary thrust with the awl 

 into one corner of the skin. This thrust implies a determination to 

 destroy the adolescent youth of the enemy. 



The recitation goes on without pause, and when the fourth line of 

 the tenth section is reached the Sho'-ka gives a thrust to the second 

 corner of the skin. This second thrust is for the destruction of the 

 adolescent maiden of the enemy. 



The recitation moves on, and at the fourth line of the eleventh 

 section the Sho'-ka gives a thrust to the third corner of the skin. 

 This thrust is for the destruction of the warrior of the enemy distin- 

 guished for liis military honors. 



Wlien the fom'th line of the twelfth section is reached the Sho'-ka 

 gives a thrust to the fourth corner of the skin. This thrust is for the 

 destruction of the woman of the enemy who has given birth to her 

 fu'st child. 



Wi'-Gi-E OF THE Symbolic Moccasins. 



(Osage version, p. 384; literal translation, y-. 525.) 



1. Verily, at that time and place, they said, it has been said, in this 



house, 



2. The turtle that has a tail with seven serratures, 



3. We shall make to be the symbol of our foot, O, younger brothers. 



4. When we make this turtle to be the symbol of our foot, 



o. And go forth against our enemies who dwell toward the setting 

 sun, 



