308 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth.ann.3T 



J. B.'S FASTING EXPERIENCE 



I fasted all the time. We moved back to a place where all the 

 leaders used to give their feasts. Near the place where we lived 

 there were three lakes and a black hawk's nest. Right near the tree 

 where the nest was located they built a lodge and the war-bundle 

 that we possessed was placed in the lodge. We were to pass the 

 night there, my older brother and myseK. It was said that if anyone 

 fasted at such a place for four nights he would always be blessed 

 with victory and the power to cure the sick. All the spirits would 

 bless him. 



"The first night spent there one unagined himself surrounded by 

 spirits whose whisperings were heard outside of the lodge," they 

 said. The spirits would even whistle. I would be frightened and 

 nervous, and if I remained there I would be molested by large mon- 

 sters, fearful to look upon. Even (the bravest) might be frightened, 

 I was told. Should I, however, get through that night, I would on 

 the following night be molested by ghosts whom I would hear speak- 

 ing outside. They would say things that might cause me to run 

 away. Toward morning they would even take my blanket away from 

 me. They would grab hold of me and drive me out of the lodge, 

 and they would not stop until the sun rose. If I was able to endure 

 the third night, on the fourth night I would really be addressed by 

 spirits, it was said, who would bless me, saying, "I bless you. We 

 had turned you over to the (monsters, etc.) and that is why they 

 approached you, but you overcame them and now they will not be 

 able to take you away. Now you may go home, for with victory and 

 long life we bless you and also with the power of healing the sick. 

 Nor shall you lack wealth (literally, 'people's possessions'). So go 

 home and eat, for a large war-party is soon to fall upon you and as soon 

 as the sun rises in the morning they will give the war whoop, and if 

 you do not go home now they will kill you." 



Thus the spirits would speak to me. However, if I did not do the 

 bidding of this particular spirit, then another one would address me 

 and say very much the same thing. So the spirits would speak until 

 the break of day, and just before sumise a man in warrior's regalia 

 Would come and peep in. He would be a scout. Then I would 

 surely think a war party had come upon me, I was told. 



Then another spirit would come and say, "Well, grandson, I have 

 taken pity upon you and I bless you with all the good things that 

 the earth holds. Go home now, for the war-party is about to rush 

 upon you." And if I then went home, as soon as the sun rose the 

 war-whoop would be given. The members of the war-party would 

 give the war-whoop all at the same time. They would rush upon me 

 and capture me and after the fourth one had counted coup, then 



