234 PICTURE-WRITING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 
A 
( 
As Lam dressed, I am. 
The otter is emerging from the sacred Midé’ inclosure; the otter 
typifies the sacred Man‘ido who received instruction for the peo- 
ple from Mi/nabo’zho, the intermediary between the ‘Great 
Spirit” and the Anishindbeg, 
That is what ails me, I fear my Midé’ brothers. 
The arm reaching into a circle denotes the power of obtaining 
mysterious influence from Kitschi Man‘ido, but the relation be- 
tween the pictograph and the phrase is obscure; unless the speaker 
fears such power as possessed by others. 
The following is the order of another Midé’ song. The general style 
of the original resembles the specific class of songs which are used when 
digging medicines, i. e., plants or roots. The song is shown in Pl. xvII, 
B as the character appears on the bark. 
As L arise from [slumber]. 
The speaker is shown as emerging from a double circle, his 
sleeping place. 
What have I unearthed? 
The speaker has discovered a bear Man/‘ido, as shown by the 
two hands grasping that animal by the back. 
Down is the bear. 
The bear is said to have his legs cut off, by the outline of the 
Midé’ structure, signifying he has become helpless because he is 
under the influence of the shamans. y. 
Big, I am big. 
The speaker is great in his own estimation; his power of obtain- 
ing gifts from superior beings is shown by the arm reaching for 
an object received from above; he has furthermore oyercome the 
bear Man‘ido and can employ it to advantage. 
You encourage me. 
Two arms are shown extended toward a circle containing spots 
of mi’gis, or sacred shells. The arms represent the assistance of 
friends of the speaker encouraging him with their assistance. 
A 
