RADIN] BURIAL AND FUNERAL CUSTOMS 151 



tread firmly upon us as he walks to the spirit land. All that I know I have said 

 before. I was taught nothing that I was to do or say at this place except that we 

 should step over the grave just aa our forefathers did when they originated. They 

 were holy and they entered this life on a perfect day just as this day to-day, and, 

 inasmuch as they were holy, all the ground that they touched was holy. It is for 

 that reason that we should step over the grave. 



Then we stepped over the grave. After that we went to our 

 homes. 



The same evening the wake began. When all the invited guests 

 had arrived and were seated, the feast was spread before them. 

 Then A. W. spoke as follows: 



Relatives, all that are seated here, I greet you. It is good that this many of you 

 have come to-night. You know that we are not creating any new ceremony, but are 

 simply following up what our forefathers have learned to be true and good. And, as 

 it is said that we should not weep aloud, therefore you will not hear any of us making 

 any utterings of sorrow. And even though we weep silently should anyone come to 

 us we will look upon them smiling. We therefore beg of you, should you find us 

 happy in mood, not to think the worse of us. And now I am ready to turn over the 

 tobacco and water to J. F. Thus I express my thanks to you all that are present. 



Then J. F. took the- tobacco and water and spoke as follows: 



Relatives, all that are seated here, I greet you. It is good that so many of you have 

 come to our humble affair and, as our ancestors said that this was the proper way to 

 do, 80 I am glad that it was given to me to handle the corpse, as I am certain that I 

 will be strengthened liy it. I will now pass the tobacco to Mr. X. He is a brave man 

 and he will light the pipe and pass the water before we eat and after supper he will 

 tell the deceased a route to the spirit land. Now I thank you and I greet you. 



Then the brave man took the tobacco and filled the pipe and after 

 taking a few puffs from it, passed it to the left and it thus went 

 round, each person taking a puff from the pipe and a sip from the 

 pitcher of water. Then the feast began. When it was over and all 

 the dishes were cleared away, and everyone was properly seated, then 

 the brave man greeted them again : 



Relatives, I greet you. As we are not creating anything new, and as our ancestors 

 knew it to be good, and as it is said that if anyone exaggerates a story in a case like 

 this it will cause the soul to stumble, therefore I will tell my war exploits to my rela- 

 tive (the deceasetl ) exactly as I remember them. I greet you all. 



He then proceeded to tell his war exploits. When he had finished 

 he again spoke as follows: 



Relatives that are present, I greet you. As I said before, I do not wish to cause 

 the soul of my recently deceased relative to stumble and I have tried to tell my story 

 as accurately as I could. It is said that the souls of the ones killed in a battle are at 

 the mercy of the victor, and I therefore command the souls of the ones I have killed 

 to lead and guide my relative safely through the spirit land. I greet you all. 



He then passed the tobacco to another brave man present who in 

 his turn greeted those present and related his war exploits. After 

 two warriors had told their war exploits they stopped for the night, 



