546 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [bth. ann. 37 



After these songs are finished and the invited guests and the others 

 present have finished eating, the feast is practically over, with the 

 exception of a few remarks. The host rises and speaks as follows: 



"Warriors and guests, I greet you all. It is good that we have 

 this life-power to use in our travels through life. The spirits caused 

 us to make offering and have also given us a chance to sing the songs 

 of our forefathers. This they made us do. It is good. Our guests 

 have shown us a great example in that they have offered enough 

 buckskin for all the spirits and enough food and tobacco. What 

 spirit could let such an offering pass unnoticed, without bestowing 

 a blessing? It is said that even if you wish something and do not 

 express it in words, still if you pour tobacco into the fire you will 

 obtain what you -wish. If that is the case, how much greater must 

 the efficacy of the offerings be that were made here! You Feast- 

 givers and relatives, I consider it a blessing that I was permitted to 

 be present here. But that blessing was even increased when I was 

 called upon to partake from a kettle offered to one of the greatest 

 spirits. I feel that now I i;vill surely be able to live. They say that 

 the one called Disease-giver has victory and life in one half of his 

 body. Therefore I greet the Disease-giver. Feast-givers, warriors, 

 all you who are present, I greet you." 



The second singer now speaks. 



"Elders and ye other guests who are present, I greet you all. It 

 is good. It is good. Who could say otherwise? Relatives, a great 

 example has been set us. We have seen buckskins for moccasins, 

 tobacco, and food offered to the spirits, and we ourselves have been 

 permitted to represent these spirits by proxy, that we also might 

 live and be strengthened; that if we should ever chance upon the 

 enemy we might remain safe and unharmed. Such, in substance, 

 were the tearful pra_yers of our leaders to-night. They prayed for 

 victory and life, and made their offerings to the Nights, of deerskin, 

 tobacco, and food. Most assuredly have the Nights accepted these 

 offerings, for they have walked fast as we asked, and the night has 

 been very short. They certainly have answered our prayers. It is 

 good. We likewise feel that the fact that we have been here with our 

 relatives and partaken of everything will strengthen us in life. Feast- 

 givers and guests, I greet you all. Warriors and singers, I greet .you." 



Then the third one rises and speaks. He says about the same 

 thing as the former. The fourth one does the same. Wlien they 

 are finished, the host rises and thanks them because they have said 

 and done the things that he had most at heart. He speaks as fol- 

 lows : 



"Warriors, as it is the custom, so we will now sing four more 

 dancing songs and then we will call upon someone to make his 

 voice known to the war-spirits. If any of you wish to offer tobacco, 



