152 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



to continue on the second night. The second and third nights were 

 the same as the first. About the evening of the fourth night, when 

 all the people invited were present, A. W. spoke in the same strain 

 as on the first night, and when he had finished he passed the manage- 

 ment of the feast to J. F. The latter then passed it to F. F. now 

 lit the pipe and passed it around, together with the water. Then all 

 partook of the feast. After supper A. W. reported all the donations 

 that were made to them, naming each giver and the amount of the 

 gift and thanking them and praising them for their generous gifts. 

 Then F. told the following story: 



THE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL TO SPIHIT LAND " 



Ho! Ha! Are you all ready? I am going to speak al>out the four nights during 

 which you listened to your relatives and to the words they had to say. I am placing 

 the sacrificial tobacco in the rear part of the lodge for you. As you go home do not 

 look Ijack. Before you are far away you will come to a lodge. You may enter this 

 lodge. A door faces the rising sun and a door faces the setting sun. As you enter you 

 will find a woman on your right. Go and sit down opposite her. Then your great- 

 grandmother will say to you, "My great-grandchild, what did they say to you when 

 you were leaving, when your life was over?'' "My great-grandmother, as I listened 

 U) my l)eloved relatives they said very little indeed. They said that I was breaking 

 their hearts (in leaving them), and that they hoped that none would follow me soon. 

 Then they asked me to make four requests: 



" First. I was to ask for life, that the flames from the lodge fires might go straight 

 upward. Yet they were satisfied if at my departure the flames swayed to and fro. 



"Second. Whatever fruit had been predestined for me and that I did not taste, 

 my relatives should hereafter not be deprived of. 



"Third. They also mentioned nuts, all manner of herbs, all serviceable hides and 

 ekins, all medicinal roots and grasses. They commanded me to make a request for 

 all things that exist in the earth. 



" Fourth. That if anyone has a friend his weapon might have a keen edge on one 

 side. Now, my great-grandmother, this is the number of requests they commanded 

 me to make." 



" My great-grandchild, although you are young, you are wise. My great-grandchild, 

 my lodge is a place where all who enter must pass an examination. Earthmaker 

 looks upon it as a keen-edged instrument. No clouds of ill omen ever pass over it. 

 Now, my grandchild, as to those four requests you put to me, it shall be as you say. 

 The nuts and herbs you have requested shall be given you. There will be nothing 

 of that food predestined for you that your relatives will not taste. The hides and skins, 

 the grasses they will possess in plenty. And if they have friends their weapons will 

 be keen on one side. All that they have requested through you shall be given them. 

 Here is the food set before you in this wooden bowl." 



Then you are to answer to her, "My grandmother, this was what my relatives 

 longed for. These are the things I was to leave l)ehind me for those on earth." 



Now, be sure that you only take a taste and push the dish away from you. For 

 then the old woman will say, "My great-grandchild, all that you have left behind you 

 in that dish represents the vegetable kingdom on this earth. Many who are older 

 than you have eaten all that I gave them, my great-grandchild. You have a wise 

 head on young shoulders. All that you have left in the dish shall grow on the face of 

 the earth. Earthmaker is waiting for you in great expectation. There is the door to 



9 Obtained from Henry Clowd. 



