LAFLBSCHE] RITE OF VIGIL FREE TRANSLATION. 265 



mysteries of the war rites are not taught but its aim is to lead the 

 people in the paths of peace. 



This wi'-gi-e expresses the pui'pose of the war gentes to destroy 

 the tribal organizations of their enemies and all possible means by 

 which they could perpetuate their tribal existence. It means the 

 taking of human life, which the Tsi'-zhu Wa-shta'-ge gens is boimd 

 by its sacred rites to protect and to preserve. The recital of this 

 wi'-gi-e by members of the Tsi'-zhu Wa-shta'-ge gens in the manner 

 above described is an implied disavowal of the teachings which it sets 

 forth. 



At lines 25, 32, 41, and 50 the A'-ki-ho" Xo'-ka, when reciting the 

 wi'-gi-e, gives a stroke of the rattle toward the "setting sun." 



THE Wl'-GI-E. 



(Osage version, p. 483; literal translation, p. 607.) 



1. What shall they (the little ones) use for a rattle, they said. 



2. Toward the setting of the sun there are seven villages. 



3. The head of the seventh village, the odd one in nmnber, 



4. They shall use for a rattle, as they travel the path of life. 



5. When they use the head of the seventh village for a rattle, 



6. By means of that rattle they shall be free from all causes of 



death, they said. 



7. When they take up this rattle against their enemies, 



8. They shall make it possible, at all times, to overcome them with 



ease, they said. 



9. What shall they use for the handle of their rattle. 



10. Toward the setting of the sun there are seven villages, they said. 



11. The left forearm of the seventh village, the odd one in nmnber, 



12. They shall use for the handle of the rattle, as they travel the path 



of life. 



13. When they use the left forearm of the seventh village for the 



handle of the rattle, 



14. By means of that handle thej- shall be free from all causes of 



death. 



15. When they use the handle against their enemies, 



16. They shall make it possible, at all times, to overcome them with 



ease, they said. 



17. What shall they use for seeds (rattlers) for their rattle. 



18. Toward the setting of the sun there are seven villages. 



19. The teeth of the left jaw of the seventh village, the odd one in 



number, 



20. They shall use for seeds for the rattle, as they travel the path of 



life. 



