328 THE OSAGE TKIBE. [bth. ann,39 



THE Wl'-GI-E. 



(Osage version, p. 502; literal translation, p. 620.) 



1. Ho! What shall they make to be a symbol of their valor, as they 



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



2. The black bear that is without a blemish, that lies outstretched, 



3. That is of great courage, they shall make to be a symbol of their 



valor. 



4. When they make the black bear to be a symbol of their valor, 



5. They shall cause their fame for valor to roll onward, as they 



travel the path of life. 



6. The black bear spake: Behold my hands; 



7. When the little ones make my hands to be their hands, 



8. Their hands shall never be absent where deeds of valor are per- 



formed, as they travel the path of life. 



9. Behold the edges of my feet, that are black in color, 



10. Which I have made to be as my charcoal. 



11. When the little ones make of them the symbol of their charcoal, 



12. Black indeed shall be their charcoal, as they travel the path of 



life. 



13. Behold the tip of my tail, that is dark in color, 



14. Which I have made to be as my charcoal. 



15. When the little ones also make of it the symbol of their charcoal, 



16. Black indeed shall be their charcoal, as they travel the path of 



life. 



17. Behold the tips of my ears, that are black in color, 



18. Which I have made to be as my charcoal. 



19. When the little ones also make of them the s5Tiibol of their 



charcoal, 



20. Black indeed shall be their charcoal, as they travel the path of 



life. 



21. Behold my eyelids, that are dark in color, 



22. Which I have made to be as my charcoal. 



23. When the little ones also make of them the symbol of their 



charcoal, 



24. Black indeed shall be their charcoal, as they travel the path of 



life. 



25. Behold the tip of my nose, that is black in color, 



26. Which I have made to be as my charcoal. 



27. When the little ones also make of it the symbol of their charcoal, 



28. Black indeed shall be their charcoal, as they travel the path of 



life. 



