MASTCU-NA®BA TO WIYAKOI®. 703 
ka"b¢ega®, I hope that you will not talk against me, ete. Udacige still has a personal 
reference, and it is very probable that such a use of ¢acige and i¢acige may yet be found. 
702, 6. waim té i™t‘ai ¢a™ awa‘i etede ar¢inge ha. The use of té” is puzzling. 
W. suggests this: Wai" it‘a"i ¢a™ ena ctectéwa” awati etede, ar¢inge ga” ectéwa® (or 
ectéwa™ amdinge ga") b¢i‘a tate eb¢ega, I ought to give them even my only robe, but I 
have none, so I think that must fail (to do as they wish). G. reads, Ci wai® itt‘ati ¢a® 
awati etedega®, a¢inge ha, ada® b¢i‘a tate eb¢ega, I should have given them my robe, 
but I have none, therefore I think that I shall fail. 
702, 8 and 9. eanki¢ai ca*ca® tate, archaic, fide G., for eaiki¢e catca™ taite, which 
si the modern expression, the change to the pl. being made now in the future sign, 
rather than in the verb itself. 
TRANSLATION. 
Sister’s son, I have heard your words. I am delighted at your sending to speak 
tome. As youlhave said, ‘ Mother’s brother, and you, O mother’s brother,” you have 
petitioned to me most earnestly; but the people have left the place almost destitute 
of inhabitants; only the old men remain. Some have gone to the Ponkas, others to 
the Pawnees, and others to the Otos. Some have gone to dress spring hides. There- 
fore only the old men are left here. I think that I shall be unable to do what you 
have mentioned. I think that I shail fail todo whatis good. (If) they come when no 
one is at home, when the people are scarce, I hesitate on account of probable failure; 
therefore, O sister’s son, I shall make a great effort, because you and your friend alone 
have generally treated me kindly. Though I shall fail, still do not speak against me 
on account of it! I appeal to you and your friend; even if you hear that I have failed 
altogether, pity me! I have told you often that the nation is poor; that is the cause 
of my failure. I should have given them my robe, but I have none. Besides, I have 
not received any money. I love your people much. I am sad because I shall not give 
youanything. I do not hate you. As long as we both shall live shall we regard each 
other as kindred! You are among those who have plenty of horses; therefore you are 
far from being poor. But I dwell just where there are no horses. 1 have told you 
all very particularly. O ye chiefs—(I include) your policemen (too), ye sons and 
daughters of chiefs—as I am poor I send and petition to you to pity me! My pov- 
erty continues, therefore I am sure that I shall fail to do anything for these Indians 
who have come, even if I make the experiment. I have petitioned to you enough. 
Send and tell me whether Spotted Tail’s people have spoken to you about the place 
where they are. Ihave received the letter which yousent. I received it at dinner time. 
