166 THE OSAGE TRIBE. [eth. a.v.n. 39 



365. Upon the water's edge stood a young willow, 



366. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



367. And hastily dragged toward his home. 



368. Witliin the right side of the door of his house 



369. He dragged the young willow, then laid it down, 



370. And he spake, saying: " It is not without a purpose that I have 



brought ht)me this young willow, 



371. I have brought it home for the little ones to use in counting 



their o-do°', as they travel the path of life," it has been said, 

 in this house. 



372. They said, it has been said, in this house, 



373. The male beaver 



374. Moved up the strong current of the stream, 



375. To the fourth bend of the river, 



376. Where, by the water's edge, stood a young willow, 



377. Which ho quickly cut to the ground, 



378. And hastily dragged it toward his home. 



379. Within the right side of the door of liis house 



380. He dragged the young willow, then laid it down, 



381. And he spake, saying: " It is not without a purpose that I have 



brought home this young willow. 



382. When the little ones go toward the setting sun against their 



enemies, 



383. They shall use the young willow to count their o-do°', as they 



travel the path of life," it has been said, in this house. 



384. They said, it has been said, in tliis house, 



385. The male beaver 



386. Moved to the strong cm-rent of the stream. 



387. Verily, he went up the river against its cm-rent, 



388. Rippling the surface of the water as he pushed forward, 



389. To the fifth bend of the river, 



390. Where he lay close to the edge of the water. 



391. Upon the water's edge stood a young mllow, 



392. Which he quickly cut to the ground, 



393. And hastily dragged it toward his home. 



394. Witliin the right side of the door of his house 



395. He dragged the young willow, then laid it down, 



396. And he spake, saying: " It is not without a purpose that I have 



brought home this young willow. 



397. I have brought it home for the little ones to use in counting 



their o-do"', as they travel the path of life," it has been said, 

 in tliis house. 



