BADIN] THE CLAN WAE-BTJNDLE FEASTS 491 



measure.^"' To those preached to, who arc m the west, I send forth 

 my greetings. To the host and those of his clan who are seated 

 here, I send forth my greetings. To all the war-bimdle owners who 

 are seated within the lodge I send forth my greetings." 



Speech of third guest. — "To all who possess tobacco and food do I 

 send forth my greetings. The means for my feeling thankful has 

 come to me.'"' Comicilor (i. e., host) and members of his clan who 

 are seated here, I send fortli my greetings. And to you, war-bundle 

 owners, who are inapersonfuting (the spirits) seated here, do I send 

 forth my greetings. In my thoughts I used to think that this is the 

 way it was to be done, they said, but it has actually happened."" 

 Thus did the clansmen, the councilors, sit acting. This (place of 

 honor) belongs to their (the host's) grandfather (i. e., ancestor, the 

 original impersonator), yet they gave me this position! If at any 

 time a person (finding) me alone (had asked me) if I wanted to offer 

 up thanks to the spirits (i. e., take part in this feast), how could such 

 as I have said anything ? They told me that they had thouglit of one 

 of their ancestors in connection (with this feast) , one who had been of 

 no importance and that I was to impersonate the spirits (in his 

 place)."" It is good. How coiild the spirits who dwell m the west 

 at the side of the chief of the Thunderbu'ds who is in control of war 

 power help but recognize one who impersonates them, sings their 

 songs, and whom, wdthal, they have blessed with control of a war 

 bundle and given life? And if they recognize them, we, too, will 

 follow them."' They have given us the place (of the spirits). 

 It is good. Most assuredly have I helped myself and my relatives 

 in gathering aroimd here, for we have been brought in comiection 

 with life. To those they have preached to (who represent) the Big 

 Black Hawk, do I send forth my greetings. And to the host and 

 the war-bundle owners who are impersonating the spirits do I send 

 forth my greetings." 



Then another person whom they had called upon for a kettle gets 

 ready to express his thankfulness and says: 



Speech of fourth guest. — "War-bundle owners, councilors, relatives 

 M'ho are seated here, I send forth my greetmgs to you. This is indeed 

 a marvelous performance and he who was able to do it is surely a 

 marvelous man. Very few people listen to the counsel of their 

 parents, but he was one of those who did, and (for that reason) he 



i"" A rather curious circumlocution for stomach. 



i« I. e., now that it is my turn to speak and offer prayers, I can thank those who have incited me and 

 the spirits. 



i» I. e., in my fondest imaginings I used to think that the ideal way to give the feast was the manner in 

 which I see it given here. How could I have imagined that such a thing was actually possible. This is 

 intended as a compliment to the host. 



I'o This is, of course, all modesty. 



"1 1, e., they will recognize us too. 



