56 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



quite impossible for an enemy to approach near the village without 

 the knowledge of the Winnebago, for he who could scent well would 

 scent them, he who could fly far would see them, and he who could 

 converse with trfees would be informed of their approach. The one 

 who could transform himself into a buffalo always bore the brunt of 

 the fighting. He would transform himself into a buffalo whenever 

 he got angry. In consequence the Winnebago were feared by all. 

 They could do what they pleased with the other tribes. If the other 

 tribes did not make war on them, they would make war on the other 

 tribes. 



One day he who could transform himself into a buffalo had the 

 sensation which generally preceded a battle. So he told the other 

 three. Then the one who could fly went out to make a reconnois- 

 sance of the country around them, but returned without having seen 

 anything; then the one who could scent well, scented all around, but 

 likewise could find nothing; then the tree-converser asked the trees 

 and they also told him that they knew of nothing. In spite of it all, 

 however, the buffalo-man said that he still had the premonition of 

 something happening. Then he who could fly again went out, this 

 time going to a d4etance four days' journey from the village, but he 

 saw nothing. Each time that he went out, however, he noticed a 

 pile of rocks in a hollow near their village. When he returned he 

 said to the people, "Over there, there is a pile of rocks which I never 

 noticed before. I wonder what it can be?" Then the buffalo- 

 man said again, "I really feel that I am going to fight. Look out for 

 yourselves therefore." However, they told him that he was worry- 

 ing himself unnecessarily, that he ought to go to sleep. 



However, the buffalo-man stayed awake all that night, and just as 

 he had anticipated, the whole village was surrounded by enemies in 

 the morning. The other three men were at once awakened and the 

 one who could fly made a rush at the enemy, but was killed. Then 

 the one who could scent well made a rush at the enemy, but he, too, 

 was killed. Up to this time the latter had been absolutely invulnerable. 

 Then the one who could converse with trees made a rush, but he, too, 

 was killed. Thus all three were killed. Then the people said to 

 Buffalo-man, whose real name was Long- Wing, "O Long- Wing, your 

 people are being destroyed! Do you try and accomplish something." 

 Then Long- Wing answered, "Ho!" and, making a rush for the enemy, 

 killed four of them, the holiest of their warriors. Then the enemy 

 gave the signal for stopping the battle, which is "Gu." This signal 

 is held to be sacred both among the Winnebago and other tribes. 

 There the battle ended. 



The Winnebago felt terrible about the loss of their three warriors. 

 The rocks that the one who could fly had seen in the hollow were 

 the enemy. The name of the one who could fly well was Short- Wing ; 



