540 THE WINNEBAGO TBIBE [bth. ann. 37 



thoughts I greet you, feasters. Spirits of war, elders, warriors, I 

 greet you." 



Then tlie third speaker rises and speaks: 



"Elders and relatives, I greet you. Warriors within this lodge, I 

 greet you also. It is good. Who would not say it is good ? Many 

 times have they done this to us in the past. They understand and 

 know how to make examples for us to follow. They have made 

 offerings of tobacco, of food, and buckskin for moccasins to all the 

 spu'its. They have gathered us together and given us places of honor 

 that we may obtain life thereby. They have given us spirit-food to 

 eat in the presence of our relatives. The blessiags they receive wiU 

 also strengthen us m life. With these thoughts we have partaken of 

 the feast. Wliile boiling the water, the attendants have burned their 

 hands, and surely they will for this reason take part in war, with 

 honor. It is good that it is thus. What spirit could overlook such 

 an ofl'ering? It must surely be known to them. Again I say it is 

 good. You feasters, host, and warriors, I greet you all." 



Then the fourth speaker rises and speaks : 



" Elders and relatives, I greet you. Host and feasters, I greet you. 

 It is good, the previous speakers have told me. Most certainly it is 

 good. The chiefs have up to now asked blessings for the Winnebago 

 fireplaces. Our host has also made offerings to all the spirits and 

 asked victory and life for our women and children. I hope we minor 

 ones will also receive blessings. A spu-it named Kills- Within-Lodge 

 came upon earth in the flesh and caused this (feast) to be made, and 

 to this day it is so. It is good. With war he was blessed, we all 

 have heard it told. It is good that we have partaken of this food, 

 for we have l)een told that all meat partaken in feasts strengthens 

 us with spirit blessings. I want to thank all of the relatives and 

 feasters who are here, and for that reason I am speaking. Feasters, 

 I gi'eet you all; I greet you all." 



Then he speaks again : 



"It is good, my relatives, that the spirits have been given offerings 

 of food, tobacco to light their pipes, and buckskin to use for moccasins. 

 Now it is the midnight of the spirits, and we have all heard that at 

 this time they tm-n over in their beds in spu'it land, and whoever 

 off el's tobacco to them now can be assured that they will smoke it. 

 For this reason the people have added food and moccasins. They wiU 

 surely bless them with the victory and life for which they have asked. 

 We believe that those who have partaken of the feast will be blessed, 

 for it is said that the spirits even know our thoughts. This is what 

 I think. I am sure I have been strengthened by it. Feasters, I greet 

 you all. You likewise, Grandmother Moon, I greet." 



The kettles are now put on again. 



