472 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BuU. 194 



back. I had a fast horse and went ahead trying to catch up with them. When I 

 was close, they turned and shot. My horse dropped and Wolf Ghost ran in front 

 of me so I had no trouble saving myself. It was because my father was praying to 

 the skulls while the battle was in progress that I was able to do that. 



Before my time, Missouri River was owner. He was holy because he kept holy 

 things. The Indians met and paid him many valuable things to be their winter 

 camp leader and he prayed to the skulls, "My people want me to be their leader 

 and to select the place for the winter camp. While I am the leader, I want 

 enough to eat and, should the enemy come, I want good luck for my people.' 



Soon after going into camp, heavy snows came and lay deep on the ground. 

 Then the scouts reported many buffaloes coming toward the village. During the 

 winter some Sioux came with their pipe and a buffalo skull. It was the rule to 

 bring these things when seeking peace. Missouri River called all the older men in 

 and asked what should be done, whether to kill them off or not, since the Sioux had 

 brought in the pipe. They discussed the matter between themselves and left the 

 matter for Missouri River to decide saying, "Because you are leader, we want you 

 to decide for you have been successful in bringing the game and all of us are 

 happy." 



Missouri River said, "I see now that you people have smoked with them and fed 

 them for you have had them in your lodges. Already they are your friends. If 

 you had wanted to kill them off, it should have been done before they got into the 

 village. Now they are in so I think you should be friends to them and make 

 peace." 



The bundle also played an important part when Fishhook Village was built 6 

 years before I was born. The old men put Missouri River in charge of laying out 

 the village. He replied, "I am glad you have selected me because I have taken 

 good care of these skulls so we will surely have good luck." 



He walked around on the site where the village was to be built singing the holy 

 songs and then he said, addressing the Eagle Men, "I want to have the village here 

 so that my people will increase and be safe. I want four good men who are holy 

 and have had good dreams to decide on four places to build their lodges. I want 

 them to help me so that we will have good luck and always conquer our enemies." 



The older men met and selected Big Cloud first to put his lodge up to represent 

 the east. Then when the weather was dry he could bring rain, for he had had 

 dreams from Thunder. He was a good man and kind hearted. When he saw 

 children with dirty faces, he washed them. When they cried, he would pick 

 them up. 



Big Cloud said, "I will do the best I can but I am not very powerful myself. 

 But I had a dream so I will talk to the Thunder whenever we need rain, I will 

 face to the east when we need rain and Thunder will do the things he promised me." 



Again they talked it over and decided to pick a man for the south station. 

 Bear-Looks-Out was named to put his lodge to the south side to help look after 

 the village, bringing the buffaloes, calling the rain, and repelling the enemies. 

 He said, "By myself I have no power or strength to carry out these things. In my 

 dreams our Old- Woman- Who-Never-Dies promised to help me. I will ask her to 

 help me. My grandmother, they appointed me to help direct this village and 

 I want your help." 



Then they appointed Bad Horn to select a spot for his lodge and he said, "By 

 myself I cannot do very much, but my protector is a bear who will help us out. I 

 will have my entrance to the north for the bears always den up on the north 

 slopes with the door to the north. I hope that he will protect us and help us 

 along." 



