Bowers] HIDATSA SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL ORGANIZATION 469 



One day he told the people that it would be better to move farther upstream so 

 they settled at a place below Shell Creek where Henry Bad Gun lives today. 

 This must have been before the Hidatsa came for there is no mention of them in 

 the mjrth for the Hidatsa, when they came, did not like to have others build in 

 that territory. They stayed there 2 years and everything they did was successful 

 for this Holy Man was with them and protecting them. After 2 years, many 

 people called "People Who Live in the Woods to the East" came out of a ravine 

 to the east and attacked the village. 



The Eagle Man saw many enemies coming and said, "Wait a little before you 

 go out against them." He took his pipe out and pointed towards the enemies 

 four times and said, "You warriors can go out now and attack them." 



While his people were fighting, he held the pipe out while singing the holy 

 songs and lightning came out of his eyes and broke a piece of the bowl from the 

 pipe. After the battle the Awatixa returned to their old village at the mouth 

 of Knife River. Many enemies came but each time he would take out the pipe 

 and his people would win. 



He thought that he would give out corn balls and the peppermint to those who 

 made offerings to the pipe when seeking good health. 



He thought of his friend with the Siwaxuwa for he knew everything that 

 happened there. His friend decided to come with his followers to kill off the 

 Awatixa so he would have his friend with him. The Eagle Man at Awatixa 

 knew all this and thought that it was a foolish idea to think of killing off all the 

 Awatixa. His friend had seven different tribes come together to help him and 

 he was the leader. The seven tribes were so far away that it would take them 4 

 days to come to Awatixa. The Eagle Man of Siwaxuwa started out ahead 

 saying that he would reach Awatixa first. 



When he reached Awatixa, the other Eagle Man knew that his friend was at 

 the door. He had the pipe and corn balls ready beforehand and called his 

 friend in. The Eagle Man from Siwaxuwa said, "I have come for a great pur- 

 pose. You live here and drink this dirty Missouri River water. You have no 

 opportunity to get around and breathe the fresh prairie air. When it rains, it 

 is muddy here. I think this is a bad place to live. I have a better place there 

 with plenty of buffaloes. We stop at nice springs of good water; everything is 

 pleasant there." 



The Eagle Man from Awatixa said, "You are mistaken. We were eagles 

 before we came out of that spring. We were to live in the different tribes and 

 be of help to the people. I am lucky; I have a pipe to bring the buffaloes. Our 

 warriors are lucky too. We have all our own corn. I do not think this is a bad 

 place at all. I do not think you are doing well. You said when we left the 

 spring that you were to be the chief but I know that some of your people are 

 not contented. The water is dirty and brown and it tastes salty. Your people 

 are suffering from so much traveling. I prefer to have you here with me where 

 you will have a comfortable home and plenty of food. Then you would be here 

 forever. I told you that I have good water. I have the water right here and 

 I want you to try it." 



He gave his friend some of the water with the peppermint in it. He drank 

 and said that it was true. He began to shake. 



He gave his friend corn balls and pemmican but his friend continued to shake 

 so he filled the pipe and gave it to him to smoke. 



Eagle Man from Siwaxuwa bit the pipe and said, "Take good care of me, my 



partner. I would rather stay here than come here to destroy your people. My 



seven tribes will come in 4 days to attack you. Your men will kill them all up 



to me. Hurry out then with your pipe and offer me a smoke. I will die after 



710-195 — 65 ai 



