RADIN] RELIGION 301 



When I was ready to go down among the human beings (i. e., when 

 I became reincarnated) I was given the power to overcome my 

 enemies in battle. And this I have actually done. AH the Thunder- 

 birds have small war-clubs. I also had one when I came. Whenever 

 I went on the warpath I made myself a war-club and used that only 

 in battle. I believe that I was invulnerable. Whenever I got tired 

 of living among human beings I knew I could return to the Thunder- 

 birds. I thought I knew all this and that I had these powers. For 

 that reason when I ate peyote I still held on to these beliefs for a long 

 time, tliinking that when I returned to the Thunderbirds inasmuch 

 as they are above it would be the same as going to everlasting life, as 

 the Peyote people said. Finally, one night, at a peyote meeting, in 

 thinking over these things, I resolved to give them up. I could, 

 nevertheless, not bring myself to do it. Then the peyote began to 

 strangle me ; ^^ at least I thought so. 



I also had the power of causing or stopping rain. All that I had 

 to do was to offer tobacco to the Thunderbirds and make my request. 



HOW A BEAR BLESSED A MAN" 



Once a band of Winnebagoes used to give a feast to the bears. A 

 bear had blessed one of their number with life and victory on the 

 warpath. 



It was a spirit-bear that had blessed him. The man was fasting 

 and the spirit blessed him and said, "Human, I bless you. In war 

 you will be able to do as you wish (i. e., you will be able to kill an 

 enemy whenever you desire). The first time you go on the war- 

 path you will come back with the fourth war honor; the second time 

 you go on a warpath you will return with the third war honor ; the 

 third time you will return with the second war honor ; and the fourth 

 time you will return with the first war honor and receive the first 

 prize, which you are to give to your sister." This is what the man 

 "dreamed." He believed it and was happy. Then the spirit-bear 

 said again, "Human, I said that I blessed you and I really mean it. 

 Earthniaker created me and gave me control of many things. 

 Human, I bless you. As many years as Earthmaker bestowed upon 

 you, that number I also bless you with. You will reach the limit of 

 the years that were granted you. With my body I also bless you. 

 Whenever you are himgry and wish to kill a bear, pour a pipeful of 

 tobacco for me. If then you go out hunting, you will be successful. 

 Don't abuse the bears. I am the chief of the bears. I bless you. 

 Never before l^ave I blessed a human being, as long as I have lived 

 here. As long as your descendants live on this earth, so long will this 



" According to the Peyote people, if a member does not wish to do or tell something that he ought to, the 

 peyote begins to strangle him and he finds no relief until he tells what is on his mind. 

 ^ This is really the *■ origin myth " of a bear feast. 



