632 SENECA FICTION, LEGENDS, AND MYTHS [eth. ann.32 



Then the young men went to the public gaming grounds and there 

 engaged in an exciting game of lacrosse ball. When this game was 

 over the people assembled in the Long Lodge of ptiblic meetings 

 and there they performed the ceremony of the Song of the Pigeons. 

 They danced all the songs of this ceremony, which is quite long and 

 exciting. Even the children danced to show their pleasure at seeing 

 the returned men. 



(This is the end of the story.) 



120. An Address of Thanksgiving to the Powers of the Master 

 OF Life**" 



We congratulate one another this day because we are still alive in 

 this world. 



Besides this act we give thanks to the Earth, and we give thanks 

 also to all the things which it contains. Moreover, we give thanks 

 also to the Visible Sky. We give thanks also to the Orb of Light 

 that daily goes on its course during the daytime. We give our 

 thanks nightly also to the Light Orb that pursues its course during 

 the night. 



So now, we give thanks also to those persons, the Thunderers, 

 who bring the rains. Moreover, we give thanks also to the servants 

 of the Master of Life, who protect and watch over us day by day 

 and night by night. 



And now. furthermore, we send our thanks also to his person, to 

 the Finisher-of-our-lives. To him our thanksgiving we offer in 

 fervent gratitude. 



And now a ceremony shall begin, a ceremony which was given to 

 us, to mankind, by the Finishei"-of-our-bodies — namely, the ceremony 

 of the Great Feather Dance. 



So let everyone be enthusiastic, then, in tliis ceremony. AVe must 

 enjoy oui-selves as much as possible during this ceremony. It was 

 given to us for the purpose of benefiting us in its performance in 

 honor of him, the Master of Life, who gave it to us, and we must all 

 do what is right and just one to another, and we also must continue 

 to give thanks to the Master of Life for the good things which we 

 enjoy at his hand. 



So now will begin the singing of the songs of the Ritual of the 

 Great Feather Dance. So let each and every one share in it, then. 

 [At this point the singers on the song bench begin singing the songs 

 of this ceremony. All who take part should be arrayed in festival 

 attire. The faces of the dancers should be painted, and their 

 heads should be adorned with feather headdresses. When this cere- 

 mony is ended the Master of Ceremonies, arising, makes the follow- 

 ing statement:] 



