LAFLESCHE] RITE OF VIGIL FREE TRANSLATION. 223 



Wl'-GI-E OF THE SYMBOLIC FIREWOOD. 



(Osage version, p. 462; literal translation, p. 590.) 



1. Ho ! my valiant men, 



2. The first piece of wood that is thus brought home, 



3. Is not brought home without some significance, my vaHant men. 



4. Toward the setting sun there dwell people (enemies). 



5. It is one of those people this piece of wood represents. 



6. When they (the little ones) bring home this piece of wood, as 



the}^ travel the path of life, 



7. They shall cause themselves to overcome their enemies with ease, 



as they travel the path of life, my valiant men. 



8. The second piece of wood that is thus brought home, my valiant 



men, 



9. Is not brought home without some significance. 



10. This piece of wood means the bringing home of two of the people 



who dwell toward the setting sun, my valiant men. 



11. When they (the little ones) bring home this piece of wood, as they 



travel the path of life, 



12. They shall cause themselves to overcome their enemies with ease, 



as they travel the path of life, my valiant men. 



13. The third piece of wood that is thus brought home, my valiant 



men, 



14. Is not brought home without some significance. 



15. Toward the setting sun there dwell people, my valiant men. 



16. With this piece of wood are brought home three of those people. 



17. When they (the little ones) thus bring home this piece of wood, as 



they travel the path of life, 



18. It is said that verily I shall cause you to overcome your enemies 



with ease, my valiant men. 



19. The fourth piece of wood that is thus brought home, my valiant 



men, 



20. Is not brought home without some significance. 



21. Toward the setting sun there dwell peoples. 



22. With this piece of wood are brought home four of those people. 



23. When they (the little ones) thus bring home this piece of wood, as 



they travel the path of life, 



24. It is said that verily I shall cause you to overcome your enemies 



with ease, my valiant men. 



