90 THE ACOMA INDIANS [eth. ann. 47 



south, two gotitca'nicame who lived at the foot of the mesa to the 

 north, and two nyenyeka who hved out west. These k'a''tsina 

 belonged to and were prepared by the estufas, Cutrini-ts, Coska^ts, 

 and K'ock'asi'ts, respectively (q. v., catalogue of k'a-'tsina). The 

 red or fiiendly scouts (go'maiowic) hved at the foot of the mesa to 

 the southwest at Biin'yakocokome (southwest comer). They belong 

 to Daufkori^ts estufa. Then Masewi and his brother were there. 

 (They were impersonated by Fluit niedicine men.) 



The O'pi and the Antelope people were gathered in Mauharots 

 together with the war chiefs and theii- cooks. Masewi and liis brother 

 go around to all the houses carrying a flint in the right hand and a 

 bow in the left. These they pi'ess against the two walls at each 

 comer to give them strength. The k'akuipe did the same, but used 

 a cane in the left hand instead of a bow. The other k'a^'tsina go 

 about the village giving the children herbs to swallow so they will 

 not be too frightened. 



Soon the white scouts (go'maiowic) arrive from Wenimats' armed 

 with bows and arrows. They fijid the war cliief and the red scouts 

 in the plaza. They tell the war cliief that the k'a''tsma will soon 

 come bringing presents as usual. They call the red scouts liars for 

 saying that the k'a''tsina are going to fight. They argue a while. 

 The red scouts offer the whites cigarettes, but the latter refuse. 

 They do not wish to have anyone come near them, and when the 

 red scouts tiy to take theu- bows from them they struggle violently. 

 After a brief scuffle the white scouts shake themselves free and run 

 away, back to Weniinats'. 



There is great excitement in the village. Masewi and his brother 

 and the k'ak'uipe continue to strengthen the houses and the others 

 admhiister their antiterror medicine. Before long the white scouts 

 return, still with the same report. The red scouts begin to lose 

 patience, and urge the war chief to fight. The wliite scouts are 

 invited into tsitcinic k'a-atc, but they refuse. They refuse cigarettes 

 and food. They quarrel for some time and then depart a second time. 

 This time, however, they take food peace offerings with them to 

 Wenimats'. 



By this time there are some men erecting a barricade near the pond, 

 west of the village, to defend themselves when the k'a-'tsina come. 

 The barricade (ai'tcin') is made of upright poles of birch (?) and 

 hides. It is about 14 feet wide and about 12 feet high. There were 

 six men whose duty it was to keep the materials for this barricade, 

 and to erect it on occasion. They were called aitciniti'tca. They 

 served for life and were succeeded by their sons. During the day of 

 the fight they stay at tsitcinic k'a'atc with the Antelope people and 

 the war chiefs, when they are not busy with the barricade. 



