BADiN] THE CLAN WAE-BUNDLE FEASTS 493 



has done so well. The members of the clan have been smcerely 

 worshipmg the spirits. He who made the war-bundle ritual was 

 like a spirit m power and what he told them to do they are doing in 

 every detail. It is a good work that they are doing. Sufficient food 

 they are offering to those who are in control of war powers that they 

 might easily be cognizant of it. They have placed plenty of tobacco 

 and different offerings of buckskin withm their reach. A pleasmg 

 white buckskin they have strmig out aiad offered to you; a pleasmg 

 red feather as a hair ornament (have they also offered to you) . They 

 have offered these things, so that they might ask. for war from those 

 who are in control of war. How, uideed, would it be possible (for 

 the spirits) not to recogiaize these offermgs? And if they recognize 

 them, then we who are impersonatmg (the spirits) will also receive 

 the benefit of the blessings of war and life (intended for the host) . 



"Long ago our ancestors asked (the spirits) to bless them so that, 

 havmg been blessed with life, they might live happily. Here we are 

 (sitting around) a fireplace and the life that they (host and his band) 

 have asked for, the spirits not only are extending to them but to 

 every one. In the early times the old men said, 'You are not able 

 to fast and offer up proper food to the spirits so as to clear away the 

 weapons (held") against you.' "^ Thus they spoke to them (the younger 

 people). Just as (the older people would have liked it) so they are 

 doing. I, who do not amount to am- thing, have nevertheless been 

 permitted to take the place of a spirit to whom food is offered. This 

 they have done for me, (given me the place) of that verv" spirit who is 

 the very bravest of them all, the one who is in control of the power 

 whereby one can kill (an enemj-) outright! One side of his body con- 

 trols life and the other death. Now they are about to offer him the 

 food of a white animal, of a male animal (i. e. , a dog) , a white buckskin, 

 feathers, and tobacco, aU objects that please him very much. To 

 Disease-giver they are about to extend these things, so that there- 

 with thej' may ask him for war power and life. It is a fear-inspiring 

 spirit that they have been making offerings to. I, who have listened 

 to the spirits (through the host's kindness), surely don't have to say 

 anything in their behalf."' They thought of their grandfather when 

 they asked me to impersonate this spirit. Of all the spirits, his is the 

 name that one can not speak of lightly, it is said. If I greet the 

 name and speak about this spirit whom they have asked mo to 

 impersonate, may I not be weakened by uttering Qiis name). Those 

 who are about to offer food to you, grandfather Disease-giver, send 

 forth their greetings. To the host do I send forth m}^ greetings. 

 To the war-bundle owners who are seated here do I send forth my 

 greetings." 



113 By denying that they can do it he tries to spur the young people to redoubled efforts. The weapons 

 are the obstacles encountered in life. 

 1" I.e., this feast will speak for them, more than any words I can utter. 



