MICHELSON.] THE WAY MESKWAKIES DO WHEN THEY DIE. 493 
Women have ceased burying (the dead). When any one dies 
to-day men (bury them). When women still were in the habit of 
burying the dead, they placed them near (the surface of the earth). 
After the men began to bury them, they placed each other deeper. 
(The dead) lay much more comfortably as they are no longer eaten 
by any little (animals). And when women still buried the dead, 
they were eaten by any little (animals). 
Now once, it is said, they fought against each other at the grave on 
account of the goods to be distributed.® “It will be mine,” they said 
to each other. Later on they went at each other. That is what 
they did. 
After they have buried (the dead), (meals) are cooked for them and 
they eat. For four days, it is said, meals are cooked for them. In 
the evening they eat. As many as there were who buried the dead 
so many feast. The chief one employed goes around for the number 
of evenings summoning those employed. On the fourth day he also 
summons some one who knows how to give a speech. After they 
have eaten, it is said, the one who knows how to speak begins speak- 
ing. He speaks exactly as the dead was spoken to (in the cemetery). 
After he has given his speech all go home. After the fourth day 
meals are no longer cooked for them. 
® Free translation. 
