404 THE (EGIHA LANGUAGE—MYTHS, STORIES, AND LETTERS. 
TRANSLATION. 
All of the Omahas went on the war-path. Seven went as scouts. ‘The leader of 
the party was Ca¢ewa¢é, of the Black-shoulder gens. “O war-chief,” said he, “go ye 
and tell that seven lodges are there.” And they came from the main body of the 
Omahas. ‘O war-chief,” said they, addressing Ca¢ewa¢é, ‘““we have come to obtain 
a correct account.” He caused them not to see the lodges. ‘‘Come! begone ye and 
tell it. The lodges are seven. Hasten ye,” said Ca¢ewa¢é. The main body came. 
They went thither by night. They desired to approach very near to the foe. The 
scouts had not yet told those with them that the foes were many; the Omahas hid it 
from their party. They arrived just there. Behold, the smoke-holes formed a long 
black line in the distance; they were a great many. ‘O war-chief, though they are 
many, we have already come. Let us contend with them at any rate,” said one of 
the other war-chiefs. Just at the outskirts of the lodges they went crawling; they 
went crawling by twenties, each one ho!ding the hand of the man next to him. They 
went creeping up on them, not uttering a sound. They pushed themselves forward 
with their feet, moving somewhat like frogs in leaping. A war-chief named Giatha-bi 
had a sacred bag. He used a wéaq¢ade as a weapon; he made it a sacred thing and 
used it. He did so four times towards the lodges; he brandished it towards them. 
Four times he untied the medicine which he had made sacred. He caused the wind 
to send it off to the place; he made the wind waft the odor towards the lodges. When 
the medicine arrived at the place, it made the Pawnees forget their warlike temper; it 
made them forget the weapons. One of those who approached the outskirts of the 
village and lay there, pulled his bow and sent an arrow with all his might. It was 
still dark, and the arrow was not visible. They continued coming and commanding 
one another to make every effort, speaking in whispers. They approached very near 
to the outskirts of the village, and lay there crouching. At length the day gave light. 
Gia"ha-bi pulled his bow, sending an arrow with force, and it was visible. He waved 
the sacred bag four times, and gave the attacking cry. When he had called four times, 
lo! they shot at the village. They contended with the Pawnees. They killed some of 
the Pawnees as they were seizing their weapons, and the others who were still sound 
asleep. The women, too, were in a nude condition, because they had not been able to 
fasten their garments when they arose so early in the morning, and as they ran, their 
clothing slipped off them. The Omahas made the Pawnees abandon their lodges; 
they took them far beyond the village when chasing them. As the Pawnees had 
forgotten their weapons, they were killed till they resembled many pillows lying on 
one another here and there, and in great heaps. They were scared into the canes. 
Still they passed beyond. The Omahas scared them again into their village. At 
that time .the Pawnees seized their weapons; and then they killed the Omahas. 
When a few of the Pawnees who remained after the shooting arrived there, they were 
in a desperate mood. Those on each side killed many of their opponents. At length 
the Pawnees killed Ca¢ewa¢é. ‘+ He says, indeed, that Ca¢ewa¢é has been killed. He 
says, indeed, that you are to cease fighting,” said the crier. They ceased. The Omahas 
captured all the horses, tent-skins, and food, which they brought home. 
