Wei 1 ech E ne ag LA, jel a on E a ar 
- “8ainst one of the four corners made by the previous incisions 
Position of th 
1884.] An account of the War Customs of the Osages. 131 
or not; and the whole scalp is his. When they turn back, 
they hasten homeward. Before they reach home, the scalp and 
other trophies are fastened to a pole, charged on and shot at four - 
times. 
When the warriors get near the village, they use charcoal for 
painting their faces and the scalp. The young kettle-bearers 
make this charcoal, using willow if they can find any. Then fol- 
low the ceremonies accompanying the cutting off the under skin 
ofthe scalp. The captain stands facing the east, and if he is a 
member of a gens on the Cheezhoo or left side of the tribe, he holds 
a knife in his left hand. If he belongs to a gens on the Hañka 
side, he holds the knife in his other hand. Holding the scalp in 
e 
o 
Fic. 9.—Showing how the scalp is prepared for the pole. 
S hand, with the other he places the blade across it, with the 
Point towards the south. (Fig. 9.) Then he turns it with the 
_ Point toward the east. Next, with the blade resting on the scalp, the 
to the south, he moves the knife backward and forward four 
€s, Cutting deeper into the scalp on each occasion. Then he 
“akes four similar cuts, but with the point to the east. After 
t part of the blade being on the scalp, its edge is put 
i and 4), beginning with No. 1. He cuts under each corner 
mes, singing a sacred song each time that he changes the 
t the knife. All of the under skin is cut loose by this 
Nia thrown away. The scalp is stretched and fastened to 
W, Which is bent and formed intoa hoop. This hoop is tied 
