24 TRADITIONS OF THE ARIKARA. 
attempt and worked very hard. When the was about tired out he ran 
his nose into a new and better world. 
He saw a very faint light, but he could not go further. He re- 
turned, and told that he had an idea there was light. The people felt 
much pleased, and encouraged. The Skunk began to widen the path, 
and worked ‘hard until the succeeded. He got out; but the sunlight, 
being too strong, blinded him, and so he turned back and told the 
people that there was a sun which lighted the world. The people were 
more pleased, and were very anxious to see it. / 
The Badger’ came forward again with his strength and worked 
on it, widening the path so that the multitude could march out, one 
by one. After his hard labor the went through, but because he was 
tired he lay down. He saw the skies, the sun, the mountains and all 
that there was on the earth. The sun went down, the stars appeared 
and the Night came. The Night saw him there and visited him, but 
the animal was asleep. The Night put forth his hands and held .the 
Badger’s hands, touched him on his head and on his neck, then went 
on his way. Light came again from the east, the stars disappeared and 
the moon also. The Badger awoke from his sleep and saw the sun 
rising in the east. He felt satisfied with all he had witnessed. He 
turned to the people and told all this to the Mather-Corn. Im- 
mediately the Mother-Corn marched ahead and stopped at the open- 
ing. The opening was somewhat small, but she tried hard to put her 
head through. The next step she went through as far as her legs. 
Then she marched out, and all the people followed. 
Nesaru from the heavens saw the Mother-Corn and talked to her. 
He had his mercy on her and he taught her how she should live. He 
gave her power to use in the times of need. The whole multitude cried 
for joy. The Mother-Corn started out on a long westward march. All 
followed, as in a triumphant procession. After many days of march- 
ing they came to a wide expanse of water. There they stood on the 
shore. The Fish came and told the Mother-Corn that he would make 
way for them. The Mother-Corn gave her consent, because she knew 
that the Fish had the power to do so. The Fish went into the waters, 
and thus the water parted. The Mother-Corn led, and they all marched 
on dry land, but there stood high walls of waters. After a long march 
they came to the shore, and the waters came together. This was the 
first obstacle they encountered. 
They went on their march again, and here they came to their 
second obstacle, which was a very thick forest, that no one could go 
through. The Owl came and volunteered to make a way for the 
