THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE 121 



Now again you receive tobacco — you, the Pygmies. [Throws 

 tobacco.] 



You are the wanderers of the mountains ; 



You have promised to hear us whenever the drum sounds, 



Even as far away as a seven days' journey. 



Now all of yoti receive tobacco. [Throws tobacco.] 



You well know the members of this society. 



So let this^ cease. 



You are the cause of a person, a member, becoming ill. 



Henceforth give good fortune for she (or he) has fulfilled her 

 duty and given you tobacco. 



You love tobacco and we remember it ; 



So also you should remember us. 



Now the drum receives tobacco. 



And the rattle also. 



It is our belief that we have said all, 



So now we hope that you will help us. 



Now these are the words spoken before you all. 



You who are gathered here tonight. 



So now it is done. 



DAWANDO'^ THE SOCIETY OF OTTERS 



This is a band of women organized to propitiate the otters and 

 other water animals who are supposed to exercise an influence over 

 the health, fortunes, and destinies of men. The otter, which is the 

 chief of the small water animals, including the fish, is a powerful 

 medicine-animal, and besides having his own special society is a 

 member of the Ye'dos, or I'^dos, and the Hono'Tcino"ga'. 



The Otters may appear at any public thanksgiving, as the Green 

 Corn dance and the Midwinter ceremony. After a tobacco-throw- 

 ing ceremony, hayant'wutgus, the three women officers of the 

 Dawan'do' each dip a bucket of the medicine-water from the spring 

 or stream, dipping down with the current, and carry it to the coun- 

 cil house where they sprinkle everyone they meet by dipping long 

 wisps of corn husk in the water and shaking them at the people. If 

 the women succeed in entering the council house and sprinkling 

 everyone without hindrance, they go for more water and continue 

 until stopped. The only way in which they may be forced to dis- 

 continue their sprinkling is for someone, just before she sprinkles 

 him, to snatch the pail and throw the entire contents over her head. 



1 The malific influence causing sickness. 



