528 THE PAWNEE: MYTHOLOGY. 
draws near and turns into woman. She examines rings and detects her daughter, 
whom she says she will take with her, leaving it to buffalo to decide whether she 
shall remain ring or become buffalo. She promises to watch over him and gives 
him paint which he may spread across his mouth in order that he may heal sick. 
She now becomes buffalo, and, as requested, he ties ring between her horns to her 
hair, and she disappears. He thanks gods in heavens that he has been permitted to 
see wonderful buffalo. In morning he returns two rings and begs man whose ring he 
has not returned not to question him, for he shall be compensated. In fall village 
goes to southwest to hunt buffalo. They meet with no success. Howling Fox meets 
buffalo woman, who tells him she is there to help him; that he is to tell people to go 
to northwest. Fearing chief, he makes him offering of food and suggests that they 
discontinue traveling southwest and go northwest. Next morning they set out in 
that direction and travel slowly, for people are weak. They travel for several days. 
One night Howling Fox again meets buffalo woman. She tells him to make earth- 
lodge, its entrance to face west; that she shall return in four days and shall want 
offerings of feathers, etc. He again offers meat to chief and tells him that he desires 
earth-lodge, which is built. Fourth night Howling Fox meets buffalo woman and 
gives her presents. He goes with her to buffalo wallow, where she becomes buffalo. 
He follows her until they come to bulls, where he ties presents on their horns. She 
becomes woman again and tells him that in few days they shall have buffalo, and 
gives him power to call buffalo, for buffalo rejoice that she has found her daughter. 
She covers him with her robe and blows her breath, causing great wind. When 
wind dies down he finds that heisat home. In morning he tells chief that they shall 
soon have buffalo. When lodge is finished Howling Fox again meets woman, who 
tells him that she has brought bulls for people. She enters Howling Fox’s lodge; 
instructs him how to arrangeit. On following day people are warned to keep away 
from lodge. Howling Fox makes great fire and in evening scatters ashes over floor 
and out to entrance. In night woman returns with buffalo bull, who sits down in 
west of lodge. Smoke is offered him, and woman says that her father is satisfied. 
Bull leaves and another enters to receive smoke, and so on during night buffalo 
enter lodge to receive smoke. Woman gives Howling Fox'buffalo meat, and when 
chief is invited in morning he is feasted and is surprised to see hoofprints on ashes. 
Warriors are sent for and they eat. Then spies are sent over hills to look for buffalo. 
They come back, reporting that they have seen none. They are sent out again and 
report having seen several bulls in ravine. They return with news, receive smoke 
in lodge, and crier summons people to make attack, announcing that ribs, tongues, 
and hearts are to be brought to Howling Fox’s lodge. They gather about his lodge, 
where he instructs them that they are not to break open skulls with stones in order 
to obtain brains, and that one cow they must not kill, for she is messenger. Leader 
of surround is chosen. Many bulls are killed, cow being permitted to escape. As 
bulls are skinned, eagle feathers and native tobacco are found on their heads, and 
they know that Howling Fox has been instrumental in bringing them. Howling 
Fox is given many presents and ponies. People kill buffalo four times and they 
return to their permanent village, Howling Fox alone staying behind. He is visited 
by buffalo woman during nights and is taught buffalo dance and ceremony, which 
on his return to the people he institutes. He wears gaming ring from cow on his 
left arm and is owner of ring. He gives presents of buffalo robe and pony to man 
and teaches him ceremony. Shortly after, Howling Fox dies, because, as was said, 
he gave all his knowledge to another man. 
