HEwml MYTH OF THE EARTH-GRASPER 591 



begin with that. Now, as many poisons as we are in number now 

 have made rulable preparations and now, then, we greet one another 

 with thanksgiving, repeatedly. We were, indeed, the first to see 

 the new provisions which One has provided for us. Now, then, we 

 have devoted especial care to our Mothers by whom we live, the 

 Corn, also the Bean, and also the Native Squash. That, verily, is 

 the reason that now we shall greet one with thanksgiving, repeatedly, 

 is that now we shall be one with them so long as our kindreds (ohwa- 

 chira) continue to exist in the future. Now, then, too, we will 

 direct our words toward our Mother, the Earth here present, also 

 to all the kinds of grasses that grow thereon, also to the several 

 kinds of bushes that grow thereon, also to the several trees that 

 grow thereon, also to the several springs of water, also to the animals 

 of whatsoever kind they may be. Now, then, we will direct our 

 words to those who are in the habit of moving about above. In the 

 first place is our Elder Brother, the diurnal Orb of Light (the Sun), 

 also our Grandmother, the nocturnal Orb of Light (the Moon), also 

 the Stars fixed severally in the sky, also our Grandsires, the Thim- 

 derers, who habitually come from the west; now, also, the bestirring 

 Wind; now, too, we have devoted especial care to them, now we 

 greet repeatedly with thanksgivings all the various orde:'s of assist- 

 ants appointed by the One who has formed our natures. And the 

 entire matter rests with them continually to care for us, day by day, 

 and also night by night. That, then, we now have xmanimity (a 

 single mind), (and) now we make rulable preparations to greet now 

 with thanksgivings, repeatedly. Him who has completed our natures, 

 and who also completed all the things which we have mentioned. 

 And that, too. He who finished our bodies has gone to the place 

 above the sky, and who has said, verily, "I will completely hear it, 

 when, customarily, one will speak of or to me." In the next place. 

 He said, "I shall see clearly things here below on the earth." And, 

 then, that is the reason that we greet Hun repeatedly with thanks- 

 givings that now we have seen what kind of things He has given us, 

 by which He has ordained that we should live, and which, at the 

 present time, among us, in the very midst of us, lie, which we 

 greet by the term of address, our Mothers. Now, then, verily, in 

 reference to that, this is the number of words of thanksgiving. 



"Now, then, we shall confirm the matter by means of the Great 

 Feather Dance. That, verily, is the reason that thus we shall do is 

 that just now for the first time have we seen the Three Sisters, our 

 Mothers, by whom we shall continue to live." Then, the Great 

 Feather Dance was performed. All persons stood up and made 

 a circuit of the Fire, the adult ones, and also the children, all were 

 happy. So then every one kept saying, "I am thankful that now 

 De'hae'"hiyawa"kho'" has provided us with provisions." ^Vhen 



