MICHELSON. ] INTRODUCTION, 369 
“They must coax them that way. And now as many of us as are 
invited will sleep pleasantly, live in health, and, so be it, we shall 
each and every one of us continue to see the manitou’s earth as he 
continues to change its seasons, all of you to whom I am related. 
That is all.’’# 
SOME FOX MORTUARY CUSTOMS 
Well, soon a baby died. And a (person) went about telling the 
news. The Indians were told. And at the same time (the person) 
went about telling those who were to sing and those who were to 
come andsmoke. He went about and also summoned those who were 
to come and smoke that very night. And the next day he went about 
asking those who were to dig the grave to come with him. So I 
also was asked to accompany him. It was impossible for me to be 
unwilling. Of course it is a rule that one must be willing when one is 
asked to go with one. This is how they hire each other. It seems 
as if Indians will continue to be busied in exactly the same way. 
And they go and give assistance. 
When children are laid to rest there are not very many (needed). 
There are four (men) some place, it is said. And when a grown person 
dies, eight is the number, it is said. When any grown person dies 
there are many indeed, it is said. That is what is done. So I departed 
as soon as I was asked to come along. When I came where this 
(child) who had lost its life was, I entered. Lo, this (child) who had 
lost its life was there. And I began to measure how large he was and 
to measure what the size of (the dead body) was. 
And there were dry goods for (the dead) to wear at the time of 
being laid to rest. That is how it is. 
Now, as soon as I had measured (the dead) I went to see whether 
there were boards enough. As soon as I had looked at them I went 
to tell how many there were and how long they were (?), and (I went 
to tell) every little thing which I desired, those things, for instance, 
which would be used, both nails and a saw which would be used in 
making this casket. 
So we again departed yonder to the graveyard. When we came 
yonder we again sought a relative (of the dead). And as soon as we 
found one on the north side then we dug the grave. That is how it is. 
As soon as we had dug the grave then we also began to make this 
casket. Moreover, we also made the covering (of the grave). This 
is how deep the grave was, four and a half feet; such is the number of 
feet (deep) the grave was. That is how it was. 
And as soon as we had finished digging the grave we also tried 
placing the casket (inside the grave) to (see if) it fitted well. As soon 
14 Spoken by the speaker at the ghost-feast. 
16 The first part describes some events which actually took place. The second part is a series of obser- 
vations. 
