514 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



third diincc the *Hlem'mosona, standing near the altar, receives the 

 arrows and the dancers are provided with their swords for the closing 

 dances. When the swords are carried for the first time, the *Hleni'- 

 mosona, on reaching the south end of the boxes, steps before them 

 and, facing west, prays; then he and two others swallow their swords, 

 and all by groups follow in succession in swallowing the swords, as 

 heretofore described. The dance is sui^pended for a time, and the 

 *Hlem'mosona, stepping before the boxes, prays and swallows his 

 serpentiform sword. 



Immediately following the dance just described, the order of the 

 Arrow, joined by the women of the Sword order, begins another 

 dance, and soon the 'Hlem'mosona and a warrior of the "^Ille'wekwe 

 appear from the western way. and stepping within the circle of dancers 

 stand before the boxes and pray. The dancers, as usual, pass four 

 times around the boxes before swallowing the sword, the leader of 

 the dance shouts and hoots, and the 'Hlem'mosona steps before the 

 boxes and the sword swallowing begins. 



The following table gives the order in which the members of the 

 Arrow order and the women swallow their swords during the last 

 dance in the plaza: 



Two men and one woman, facing north. Three men and one woman, facing north. 



Two men, facing east. Two men, facing south. 



Two men and one woman, facing south. Two men and one woman, facing east. 



Two men and one woman, facing south. Two men and one woman, facing south. 



Two men, one woman, and a girl, facing Two men, facing east, 



south. Two men, facing east. 



Three men and one woman, facing west. 'Hlem^mosona, facing east. 



At the close of the sword swallowing the 'Hlem'mosona, retaining 

 prayer plumes in his right hand, collects the swords, resting them 

 over his left arm, the feather handles pointing to his right. Each 

 dancer lays his sword on the arm of the *Hlem'mosona, who, holding 

 the swords with both hands, stands before the boxes and prays that 

 A'chiyalil'topa and the Beast Gods will intercede with the rain-makers 

 for cold rains and snows. All the members stand with folded arms 

 during the prayer, which lasts three minutes. The 'Hlem'mosona now 

 passes around the ellipse, that each one may receive his one or moi-e 

 swords. 



All but two now clasp hands and form into a broken circle, and 

 the musicians at the boxes of the *Hle'wekwe play on the notched 

 sticks and sing, joined by the drummer, who stands to the north of 

 the plaza. The dancers shake their rattles and sing as they jump 

 back and forth toward the center of the circle, holding their swords 

 in the left hand, the feathered handles pointing inward. This move- 

 ment, so like one of the children's games of civilization, creates much 

 glee among the dancers and many of the spectators, though some of 



