232 DAKOTA GRAMMAR, TEXTS, AND ETHNOGRAPHY. 
ing flat on their backs. The third man, seeing the others break loose, took 
courage, braced up, and made a desperate struggle. He succeeded not 
only in breaking from the pole, but also from the horse. This feat pleased 
the Indians, who shouted lustily. Little Big Man, who was mounted, was 
so delighted that he shot an arrow straight up into the air, whooping with 
all his might. The arrow came down on the back of a large fat woman, 
who was standing outside the inclosure. The old woman jumped up and 
ran howling across the prairie. An Indian on the outside happened to be 
on horseback, so he ran up to her and held her while the others extracted 
the arrow. Little Big Man was obliged to part with three horses to satisfy 
=) 
the woman. 
The four remaining dancers were young and inexperienced, so they 
could not break their bonds. Consequently they gave away three horses 
each and were cut loose. One of them fainted, and on being resuscitated 
he became unruly, making a break from the ring, tumbling over several 
women, and when finally seized he was standing among’ several infants 
that had been stowed away under blankers in the corner of the lodge. He 
was brought back, a whistle made of an eagle’s feather was put into his 
mouth, and he was set to dancing. Then an old man with a looking-glass 
in his hand and a buffalo skull on his head performed mystery rites over 
him, to drive out the evil spirit which they thought had entered into the 
young man. Meantime two breathless infants were taken out into the air 
and resuscitated. Another old man said that he was ready to give to any 
worthy woman the mysterious anointing. A large number went up and 
received this ancient rite. This was administered by cutting a hole in the 
right arm and introducing medicine under the skin. Women entitled to 
this privilege were those who had at any period of their lives held a horse 
or borne arms in battle. At 6 p.m. the sun disappeared under the clouds, 
and the old man with the buffalo skull on his head uttered a few words 
and dismissed the audience. Then the dance ended, and an hour later the 
lodges were taken down and most of the Indians started homeward. 
