THE ORIGIN OF THE ARIKARA. 23 
her in. ‘The people did not understand this, as they kept up the sing- 
ing in the night. When daylight came they looked behind where 
Mother-Corn was sitting, and there they found that she had turned 
into an ear of corn. The buffalo robe that she had about her was tied 
to the corn. It was told the people through the village, and the people 
came with their children’s moccasins and placed them with Mother- 
Corn. Then the priests took Mother-Corn and the robe to the river, 
and threw her into it. For many years she did not return, but one fall, 
when they were having their bundle ceremonies, a mysterious-looking 
woman entered the lodge where the bundle ceremony was being given 
and they finally recognized her as Mother-Corn. She taught them 
some more bundle ceremony songs and before daylight disappeared, 
and was never seen again. 
5. THE ORIGIN OF THE ARIKARA.* 
In the forgotten days of old there stood unnumbered people in 
the dark and gloomy cave down deep in the earth. They were wan- 
derers, not knowing where they came from nor where they were going. 
In the midst of the blinded multitude there stood the Corn, the Mother 
of the tribe. For many days they stood in this condition and longed 
to see if there was any better world. Whereupon, the Mother-Corn 
called and selected the four fastest birds. She sent one to the east, 
as she thought, one to the south, one to the north, and one to the west, 
to look for a better world to live in. The birds went as they were 
directed and were gone for some days. They all returned, but without 
any good news to tell to the Mother. Whereupon, they were sad and 
discouraged, until there came forward from the crowd a tiny animal 
who thought himself capable to lead the people out of darkness into 
light. He told the Mother-Corn that he would make an effort to 
look for a better world. The Mother-Corn was glad to hear it, and 
consented to let him try to do what he could. Another came and said 
he would assist him, and still another came to offer his help. The 
first one was a long-nosed Mouse, or a Mole; the second was a Skunk; 
and the third was a Badger. The first went and started to dig up- 
wards. He toiled until he was exhausted. Then the second went and 
worked until he gave out. Then the third came and labored on the 
same thing, until he was almost exhausted. The Mole made his second 

*Told by Hand, 
