Huffman] BA.LL-GAME FOLKLORE 135 



down into the water and bring up some earth, that I may make a new 

 world." The Muskrat immediately complied with the wish of Ma/na- 

 bush, and dived down into the water. He remained so long beneath the 

 surface that Ma'nabiish thought he could not return alive; and when he 

 did come to the surface it was with the belly uppermost. Then Ma'na- 

 biish took the Muskrat in his hands and found adhering to the fore- 

 paws a minute quantity of earth. Then Ma'nabiish held the Muskrat 

 up, blew on him, and restored him to life; he then rubbed between his 

 palms the particle of earth and scattered it broadcast, when the new 

 earth was formed and trees appeared. Then Ma'nabiish thanked the 

 Muskrat and told him his people should always be numerous and have 

 enough to eat wherever he should choose to live. 



Then Mii'inibush found the Badger, to whom he gave the skin of the 

 gray Bear chief, which he wears to this day; but he retained the skin 

 of the silvery-white Bear chief for his own use. 



Then it became necessary for Man'iibush to institute the ball game, 

 so that his uncles could play it. He therefore called them all together, 

 and when he had announced to them his intention, he named Kine'ir, 

 the Golden-eagle, the chief of the Oqpe'tawok or Flyers, as leader of one 

 side, and Owa'sse, the Bear, as leader of the aua'maqki'u hawa'itokok, 

 the underground beings. Kine'ir is in the west, and when he advances 

 with the ball the sky darkens and the wind blows. Then Owa'sse tries 

 to prevent Kine'u v from approaching to win the game, and the wind and 

 rain may for awhile be held back, but Kine'ir always wins in the end. 

 That is why the Thunderers always win the game even at this day, 

 whether it be played for pleasure or to help a sick man. 



The Mitii'wok furthermore related various matters concerning the 

 ball game, of which the following is a translation: 



When a young man fasts and dreams of his ma'nido, he always wears 

 that ma'nido in the shape of a small effigy or as an amulet. His ma'nido 

 helps him to succeed in his undertakings. But if he forgets his 

 ma'nido and does not make offerings to him, then he will lose his 

 power, and his ma'nido will not assist him. Then the man must give a 

 ball game and offer presents to his ma'nido, and thus again receive his 

 favor. The man thus giving the feast selects the leaders of the two 

 sides, which consists respectively of players of the wi'dishi'anun (or 

 phratry) of which the leaders are members. The leaders are persons 

 conspicuous for their endurance and skill, and for the possession of 

 special powers conferred by their ma'nidos. 



When one becomes sick through neglecting his ma'nido, and is unable 

 to prepare a ball game, some relation or friend of his wi'dishi'anun 

 assumes the responsibility of getting up the game, by which the anger 

 of the sick man's ma'nido will be appeased and the sufferer again be 

 taken under his protection. 



Should a man dream of the Wa'banunii'qsiwok, the Eastern people, 

 he will have to prepare a ball game to avert evil or danger. The 

 Wa'banunii'qsiwok are dressed in red, both the men and the women; 



