ttADiN] RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES BASED ON BLESSINGS 335 



him aud taught him how to make four circles and also certain songs. 

 Since then this ceremony has been performed. He was really blessed, 

 and he was told exactly how everything should be performed. So it is 

 said. As he was very fond of the Night feast, he spoke in its behalf, 

 and told of all the medicines that were associated with it and of 

 the use to which they could, be put. I myself know that these medi- 

 cines are good to live on. If anyone uses them he will receive benefits 

 therefrom and his children will receive life. I know that they are 

 good. I would not have you think that I am one of those blessed 

 by the Night Spirits because I say this. But I know that all the medi- 

 cines of which I have personal charge and to which I make offerings 

 of tobacco, for whom I boiled food, always make the individual to 

 whom I offer them the better for it, provided that I do everything 

 correctly. I was told to do this, and that is why I do it. I am now 

 going to sing some songs audibly, and all these songs will be songs 

 about medicines. I know that we will cause you to fan your faces 

 (from perspiration brought on by making you work too hard), but 

 forgive us for it. Children of the night-blessed ones who are seated 

 here, I greet you, and to take the place of their sister whom they 

 always place ahead of them so we also will have our sisters lead the 

 dance for us." 



Two women now rise and stand side by side in front of the men and 

 hold, one in each hand, the invitation sticks that had been returned. 

 These two women lead m the dance. The men who shake the gourds 

 stand with their backs to the women, facing the drummers. All suig 

 together and all the dancers have partners at their sides. It is a 

 very interesting dance. Then all get up and start aromid the lodge, 

 making strange utterances. 'VMien they have made the complete 

 circuit of the lodge they stop and sing. When they finish this song 

 they start around the lodge agam, repeating the utterances. They 

 stop at the west end of the tent, where they smg agaui. They thus 

 sing at both ends of the lodge. They use all the songs they intend 

 to. When the last song is over the individual who has smig it makes 

 four circles and then takes the drum, gourd, tobacco, etc., and places 

 them in front of the guest who occupies the first seat of honor. Then 

 all sit down. Then the east leader rises and speaks as follows: '° 



"Comicdors and life-obtamers, relatives who are seated here, I 

 send you all greetmgs ; and to you who are on the north side, and 

 you who are on the west side, and you who are at the end of the 

 road, yom- seats I greet. Our host has passed over to me the means 

 of our meditation, the instruments through which we ask life. This 

 instrument for asking life is the foremost thing we possess, so the old 

 people said. We are thankful for it. We know that Earthmakor 



■« From now on we will use the terms East Leader, North Leader, West Leader, and South Leader to 

 de3ignate,respeotively, the first, second, third, and fourth guests in the order of their invitation. 



