Rochy Mountains. 333 



The bearer of the calumet is now considered as the father, 

 and addresses the individual whom he is about to honour, 

 by the title of son, presenting him with some valuable arti- 

 cles, such as a gun, kettle, blankets, and clothing, and orna- 

 ments for his youngest child, who is destined to represent the 

 father or the adopted son, at the ensuing ceremony. 



At sun- set the calumet is taken from the forked stick, or 

 support, enveloped like an infant in swaddling clothes, and 

 placed, carefully in a bed, prepared for its reception; a lulla- 

 by is then sung, accompanied by the music of the rattle, for 

 its quiet repose. On the following morning it is awakened by 

 a song, with the same music, and again consigned to its fork- 

 ed support. The appointed day having arrived, a space of 

 sufficient diameter is enclosed by a skreen of skins for the 

 dance, and a post is fixed in the earth, near the entrance to 

 the area. Around this area the principal men of the nation 

 seat themselves; the adopted son leads in his youthful repre- 

 sentative; and the two dancers, decorated with paint, and 

 entirely destitute of clothing with the exception of the breech- 

 cloth, commence the dance. They are each provided with a 

 decorated calumet stem, and a rattle of dried skin, or a gourd, 

 containing pebbles, with which to keep time to the music of the 

 gong, and to the vocal chaunting of the musicians of the vil- 

 lage. They dance in the ordinary manner of the Indians, and 

 pass backwards and forwards between the entrance and back 

 part of the area, endeavouring to exhibit as much agility as 

 possible in their movements, throwing themselves into a great 

 variety of attitudes imitative of the actions of the wai eagle, 

 preserving at the same time a constant waving motion with 

 the calumet in the left hand, and agitating the gourd in the 

 right, more or less vehemently, agreeably to the music. 



Warriors and braves will now bring forward presents of 

 horses, guns, &c. The bridle of the horse is attached to the 

 pose by the donor, who receives the thanks of an old crier, 

 stationed there to perform that duty. The music now ceases 



