BADIN] THE CLAN WAE-BUNDLE FEASTS 495 



Then another man wlio has been called upon for a kettle rises as 

 the "means of blessing" comes to hun and greetmg, says to them."* 



Speech of fifth guest. — "Clan councilors who are seat«d here, I 

 greet you all. You all within this lodge who are impersonating the 

 spirits, I greet you. It is good. If we say it is good, we mean it."° 

 That we are living"' is because they have done tliis for us (i. e., 

 asked us to participate in the feast). That we have been able to 

 move about so long (i. e., are still living) is due to the fact that the 

 war-bundle owners knew how to offer tobacco to the spirits. It is 

 for that reason likewise that we have not been killed. Expert in 

 their preaching to the youths and maidens, our chiefs have also kept 

 the fireplace for us two-legged walkers.'" Our cliiefs have piled 

 more fuel upon the fire that it may start up."' And not for them- 

 selves are they doing this. What they are domg is to enable us to 

 obtain life. The name of South Wmd they have uttered; he who 

 alone is in control of life. Thej' knew that he was a great (spirit). 

 An old man, one who was like a spirit (in his power), called 

 Dj5ben^giwi'7;xga, they are speaking of. As many good spirits as 

 there are, that many added their thoughts (power) . Of this they are 

 reminding the spirits whom they are worshiping. Sincerely are they 

 saymg it. The life they blessed the old man with, that life they are 

 using. With war powers they blessed him. They did not fool him. 

 Because they have made their requests sincerely is the reason that 

 (the spirits) have given them these things in return. I feared that 

 they might not take cognizance of them (i. e., their offermgs). How- 

 ever, now I thank them (the host, etc.), for we have been as though 

 connected with war power and life through South Wind. Tobacco 

 they have poured for him, and white buckskin and red feathers 

 have they extended to him. He will smoke the tobacco and we will 

 follow in the path of life as a consequence. As though we were a 

 member of their clan they have made us by (permitting us) to imper- 

 sonate the spirits. What we have done will give lis plenty of life to 

 live on and for this we are indebted to them. We are thankful for it. 

 Those who have been preached to, the South Wind I greet. Coun- 

 cilor (host), I send forth my greetings to you. You who are seated 

 here and are impersonating the spirits, to you also do I send forth 

 my greetings." 



IN By "the means of blessing " he means the opportunity to speak and sing. 



U5 Literally, "It is not for nothing that we say this." 



ne I. e., have been blessed with life. 



1" The reference to the fireplace is twofold here. First as host it is incumbent for the owner of the 

 Thunderbird clan btindle to take charge of the fireplaces; and, secondly, it is his duty to do so because 

 fire is the sacred possession of the clan. "Two-legged walkers" is the ritualistic name for human beings. 



na To be taken figuratively as meaning "blessings," since in adding fuel they are cooking the sacred food. 



