BADiN] MISCELLANEOUS DANCES 383 



Tipon the soul of our friend (the scalp) and you have tried to gain 

 additional life. I also desire life. Our ancestors were equal to the 

 spirits in their power and they asked each other to help one another 

 in obtaining life. I will try to ask for that which you have asked. 

 I greet you all." 



Then all the war-bundle owners in the lodge greeted each other, 

 and the drum was passed aroimd until every one in the lodge had 

 STing. Tlien they danced the hol-'ixe're dance imtil early dawn and 

 ■when the sun was about to appear they took the drum to the post 

 and danced the victory dance imtU the sun was high in the heavens. 

 Then they went to sleep. All day they slept, and toward evening 

 of the fourth night, when the sim was low, they began the victory 

 dance again. When it was dark they entered the lodge and placed 

 the drum in the center. Then the attendants put dog meat in the 

 kettles. When all was in readiness and all the feasters had entered 

 the lodge the host offered tobacco to the spirits for whom food was 

 being prepared and spoke as follows: 



"After we have sung four songs the meal will be ready to be 

 served. The attendants, it is true, have not cooked very much and 

 it will doubtless not be enough for all, but I think that there will be 

 a little portion for every one. When I have finished the four songs, 

 then the donor for whom this ceremony is being given will select 

 the people who are to eat with him. Then the attendants will dis- 

 tribute the portions of meat, in addition to the heads, and then we 

 will all start to eat." 



Then all ate. The donor after first eating with his friends ate 

 alone with the scalp. Then some of the men arose and gave thanks. 

 Finally the host rose again and said, " Whatever little it was in my 

 power to do, I tried to do. All have tried to help me. It is really 

 good. I am really imable to say what I wanted, but it is good. As 

 the drum passes around, may it be of some help to every one." 



Then the drum is passed to the one who had first counted coup. 

 He sings and then it is passed to the other three who coimted coup, 

 who likewise sing. From them it is passed to all the other people 

 in the lodge who have not sung yet. Then all dance the hok'ixe're 

 dance and toward dawn the drum is taken outside to the post and 

 the victory dance is given. If the donor had lost a child the others 

 now wipe off his tears and tell him not to cry any more; and they 

 make the mom-ner feel joyful again. When it became (fuU) day- 

 light they danced the victory dance and walked foiu" times around 

 the pole. Then they went to the grave of the child that had died 

 and danced the victory dance there and stuck the scalp in the ground, 

 for the soul of the child. There it would wither and the father would 

 feel happy. This is the end. 



