THE BLACKFOOT SUN-DANCK. 235 



in abundance as many as two thousand buffalo tongues were used at 

 a single Sun-Dance ; now, the Indians have to be contented with two 

 hundred tongues of domestic cattle. These are slightly boiled and 

 dried, cut in slices very carefully, taken in sacks to the Sun-lodge and 

 guarded by two young men. This rite partakes of the nature of a 

 sacrament. None but virtuous women are allowed to go up and 

 take a piece of tongue. After the persons devoted to Natos partake, 

 the tongues are distributed amongst the people, as a religious ceremony. 



As I stood outside the lodge, a young Indian friend of mine, went 

 to an old medicine-woman and presented his sacrifice to Natos. 

 During the year he had gone on a horse-stealing expedition and as is 

 customary on such occasions had prayed tj Natos for protection and 

 success, offering himself to his god if his prayers were answered. He 

 had been successful and he now presented himself as a sacrifice. 

 The old woman took his hand held it towax'd the Sun and prayed, 

 then laying a finger on a block of wood she severed it with one blow 

 from a knife and deer's horn scraper. She held the portion of the 

 finger cut off toward the Sun and dedicated that to him as the young 

 man's saci'ifice. The chief attraction to the pale-face is what has been 

 ignorantly termed "making braves." I desired very much to see 

 this ceremony once, that I might know the facts from personal observ- 

 ation, and draw my own conclusions after conversing with the Indians. 



Two young men having their whole bodies painted, wearing the 

 loin-cloth only, and with wreaths of leaves around their heads, aakles 

 and wrists, stepped into the centre of the lodge. A blanket 

 and a pillow were laid on the ground, and one of the young men 

 stretched himself upon them. As he lay, an old man came for- 

 ward and stood over him and then in an earnest speech told the 

 people of the brave deeds, and noble heart of the young man. In 

 the enumeration of his virtues and noble deeds, after each separate 

 statement the musicians beat applause. When the aged orator ceased, 

 the young man arose, placed his hands upon the old man's shoulders, 

 and drew them downward, as a sign of gratitude for the favoi-able 

 things said about him. He lay down, and four men held him while 

 a fifth made the incisions in his breast and back. Two places were 

 marked in each breast denoting the position and width of each 

 incision. This being done, the wooden skewers being in readiness, a 

 double edged knife was held in the hand, the point touching the 



