INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXTS. 3 
gens of the Thunder and Reptile gens of the Omahas, being keeper of the 
sacred pipe of his gens. He is full of fire as a speaker; and his enjoyment 
of the burlesque was shown when he told me the myth of the turtle who 
led a war party. He declared that he had added a little to it, but only 
such parts as he thought were needed to make the myth complete. The 
songs in the myth point to an Oto derivation. Le-tiya"™ha is one of the 
“citizens” party and a good farmer. 
10. Can’-ge-ska (White Horse) is head of the Wolf gens of the Omahas 
and a member of the chief’s party. He understands the Kansas (Kaw) 
dialect of the Q@egiha as well as his own. 
11. A™pa®-yan’-ga (John Big Elk), an Omaha, is one whom I regard 
as a dear friend, a good example to his tribe. He is the authority for sev- 
eral myths and most of the Omaha historical papers The Indians call him 
“The man who is always thinking about the Great Spirit.” He is a full 
Indian, a nephew of the Big Elk mentioned by Long and others. He is 
an adherent of the “citizens” party. 
12. ,¢-da-ui¢iqaga (Dried Buffalo Skull) is head of the Singers, a sec- 
tion of the Black Bear subgens of the Omahas. He is half-brother to 
qat¢i"-na"-paji, but he is so far advanced in life, and his articulation is so 
rapid, that it was impossible to record all his words, which he would not 
repeat. 
13. Nuda”’-axa (Cried to go on the War-path) is a Ponka chief. He 
is head of a part of the Thunder-bird gens. I have known him since 1871, 
whereas I did not become acquainted with the Omahas until 1878. Nuda”’- 
axa has furnished me with eleven myths, three historical papers, and some 
valuable ethnologic notes. He is a very patient man, and is deserving of 
sympathy and encouragement in his efforts to become self-supporting. 
Among the Omahas who sent letters elsewhere are Two Crows, Lion, 
and Duba-ma*¢i*. 
Two Crows is now a chief; he has been a leader of the young men 
for several years, though he is a grand-parent. He was the leader of the 
tribe on the hunt and war-path, and is still feared even by the chiefs’ 
party. He says just what he thinks, going directly to the point. He is 
regarded as the speaker of the purest Omaha, and one has no difficulty in 
understanding him. 
