MICHELSON. ] ORIGIN OF THE WHITE BUFFALO DANCE. 141 
slopes). The people suffered dreadfully. They were among game 
animals of all kinds. The latter were not afraid of them. There 
were a great number of every kind. 
Pretty soon there were a lot of reptiles. Then it is said their 
leader stopped. “‘ Very likely we must now go back,” he said. They 
could see water as far as they could see. The water was flowing very 
swiftly He (the one blessed) was remembered by some people. 
They ceased carrying their packs on their backs. At once, it is said, 
the manitous, the reptiles, were lying on their packs. Then they 
stood about not knowing what to do. 
Then he was spoken to. ‘Now, just think a way in which these 
people might live,” he was told. “Verily, you are to think of them 
so that they willlive. You will of a surety satisfy them,” he was told 
by the larger men. ‘‘O, yes, I will just try; though you well know 
how very difficult this looks. This looks difficult. This water is 
dangerous. I shall merely try to save them,” he said. “ You are to 
simply follow me, do not fear this water in any way. You are to 
come along, all of you; let no one remain here,” he said to them. 
“Truly the manitous know me, I am not merely saying it. That is 
why we shall be able to walk along here on the surface of the water. 
We shall surely walk along (on the surface of the water), but you 
must walk along quietly,” he said to the people. He began walking 
away on the surface of the water. He went on his way. He was 
followed by all the people. 
Then it is said the former leader (said), “This is exactly what I 
would have done, if he had not said anything, I would have then 
commenced talking. I just brought you for fun where there were 
many snakes.” 
When they came to a place where (land) was exposed (out of the 
water), there were many turkeys. ‘‘ Now let us stop here to eat. 
We shail be here four days. On the fourth day we shall depart. 
Then our bellies will be thoroughly filled, and the children will then 
have healthy lives,’ he told them. “Verily we shall cook turkeys 
only,” he told the people. They felt happy over it. 
Then that leader again told them, “ Yonder was where I would 
have let you feast too; but for my part, you would have eaten bears 
here.” 
Then he (the one blessed) related after four days: ‘‘Now I have 
brought you to this place, and at that time I brought myself here,”’ 
he said secretly. ‘Whosoever talks contrary to me shall remain 
here; he shall not go the way we shall go,” he said. ‘‘ We shall start 
out at once. Yonder at that black object, is where you shall cook 
your meals,” he said. The women went. 
