142 THE OSAGE TRIBE. [bth. Ann. 39 



88. These lower outspreading limbs, 



89. I have made to be my arms, as I stand here. 



90. When the little ones make of my lower limbs the symbols of their 



arms, 



91. They shall not fail to live to see their arms strengthened with age, 



as they travel the path of life. 



92. These cm-ved limbs, bent with their weight, 



93. I have made to be the sign of old age. 



94. When the little ones make of me their symbol of old age, 



95. They shall not fail to live to see old age, as they travel the path 



of life. 



96. The wliite blossoms upon my topmost branches, 



97. I have made to be the sign of old age. 



98. Aged men 



99. Are spoken of as having scant, yellowish hair. 



100. The little ones shall not fail to live to see their hair grown scant 



and yellowish with age, as they travel the path of life. 



101. The young brother wearily strode homeward, and in time 



102. Came to the borders of the village, 



103. Where he pauseil to rest. 



104. Then, as in a passing vision, he saw men, 



105. In deadly strife, their war clubs rising and falling in blows and 



parries. 



106. The vision passed; the yoimg brother thought: Lo, I suffer in 



body and mind, 



107. Is it true, as has been said, that Wa-ko°'-da holds in favor young 



men of my age ? 



108. Even in this spot, 



109. Within this spot itself may be an abiding place of Wa-ko'''-da. 



110. Then, with head inclined to the right, 



111. He fell prone upon the earth, where he lay outstretched. 



112. Suddenly a man 



113. He heard approaching, treading softly upon the earth as he came. 



114. The young brother lifted his head to see, 



115. But, verily, there came to him as he lay waiting no sign of a man. 



116. After a moment's pause, a man 



117. He again heard approacliing, the grass rustling at his every step. 



118. The yoimg brother lifted his head to see, 



119. But, verily, there came to liim no sign of a person as he lay 



waiting. 



120. After a moment's pause, 



121. The right foot of the young brother was touched 



122. By the man with his foot. 



