LiFLESCHE] RITE OF VIGIL FKEE TEANSLATION. 245 



In the No°-ni' A-tha-shu-dse wi'-gi-e used by the I°-gtho°'-ga and 

 the Tho'-xe gentes the buffalo bull is called Wa-dsu'-ta to°-ga, great 

 anmial: the elk, Wa-dsu'-ta stse-dse, tall animal: and the deer, 

 Wa-dsu'-ta zhi"-ga, snaall animal. None of the men who are versed 

 in the rites could tell whether these are archaic names of the animals, 

 but it is evident that they are ceremonial names, as the names com- 

 monly used for these animals are: tse-do'-a, for the buffalo bull; 

 o'-pxo°, for the elk; and ta or ta-fi^'-dse-fka, for the deer. 



WT'-GI-E of the four symbolic ANIMALS. 



(Osage version, p. 473; literaltranslation, p. 600.) 



1. Ho! What shall they use as a symbol of their courage, it has 



been said, in tliis house. 



2. The little mottled lynx, 



3. Which they knew to be great in courage they chose to use as a 



sjTiibol, 



4. Saying that if they use the lynx as a symbol of courage, 



5. They shall become known for their valor, as they travel the path 



of life. 



6. Then the lynx spake, saying: "Behold my hands in which there 



is strength. 



7. When they use these hands as symbols of strength, 



8. Their hands shall ever be upon the foe." 



9. At break of day, it has been said, in this house, 



10. Within the bend of a river, 



11. The lynx suddenly rushed forth to an attack, 



12. Upon a young deer, 



13. Which he threw to the ground, where it lay lifeless and bent, 



14. Whereupon he uttered a cry of triumph, 



15. And spake, saying: '"Thus shall the little ones utter a cry of 



triumph over the fallen foe, as they travel the path of life." 



16. Thus he made four cuts to stand for all time. 



17. Ho ! What shall they use as a symbol of their courage, it has been 



said, in this house. 



18. The gray wolf, 



19. Wliich they knew to be great in courage, they chose to use as a 



symbol, it has been said, in this house, 



20. Saying that if they use the gray wolf as a symbol of courage, 



21. They shall become known for their valor, as they travel the path 



of life. 



22. Then the gray wolf spake, saying: "Behold my hands in which 



there is strength. 



23. When they use these hands as symbols of strength, 



