122 



INDIANS OF THE SOUTHWEST. 



On the eighth day, the lines dance for some time 

 facing each other and then the sprinkler goes to the 

 snake booth, takes a small bundle of vines and corn 

 stalks in his mouth and dances with it as if it were a 

 snake. He is guarded by a snake priest. But on the 

 ninth day after the two lines of priests have made the 



Snake Priests dancing with Snake. 

 (Photo, by Howard McCormick.) 



circuit of the plaza the snake priests go in paii's to the 

 booth. One of each pair is given a snake which he 

 holds in his mouth. His companion follows by his 

 side with a snake whip with which he is prepared to 

 soothe the snake and attract its attention should there 

 be need. They move in this way down the plaza for 



