180 ABSTRACTS. 
4. ORIGIN OF THE ARIKARA. 
Mother-Corn is assisted by Badger, Gopher, long-nosed Mouse, and Mole to 
get people out of ground, as in No. 3. People see where other people helped 
out of ground by Buffalo. They start on journey and are stopped by obstacles, 
as in No. 3, and are helped by Kingfisher, Owl, and Loon. Some people stay be- 
hind as Worms, Birds, Fish, and Loons. [Mother-Corn offers smoke and sends 
animals for offerings to gods.]  Prairie-Chicken kills wild-cat, which repre- 
sents heavens, and brings it to Mother-Corn for offering. Three Stars in East 
bring Mother-Corn stone for pipe to form smoke. Pipe is made and filled with 
native tobacco. Prairie-Chicken takes pipe in succession to gods in Southeast, 
Southwest, Northwest, and Northeast, and to Nesaru, all of whom smoke the 
pipe. Prairie-Chicken says sand blown by wind made white spots on its feathers. 
Smoking by Nesaru is to show consent to Mother-Corn having people on earth 
and that gods are to protect them. Dog comes and tells Mother-Corn that Whirl- 
wind is angry for being slighted in smoke ceremony. Mother-Corn appeals to 
Nesaru and the gods for assistance. Woman says she will protect the people, 
and turns into Cedar-Tree. Big-Meteoric-Star falls from heavens by Cedar- 
Tree to assist. Whirlwind comes and people all run in all directions, and when 
Whirlwind strikes them it changes their language. People who stand on Cedar- 
Tree and Rock are Arikara. Wind strikes Mother-Corn and she vomits four 
times, water and ears of corn of different color. Whirlwind tells Mother-Corn 
it has left behind diseases, but says when they offer smoke to the gods they are 
to give it smoke last, that it may not come very often. Cedar-Tree asks Mother- 
Corn that it may be known as “Wonderful Grandmother” and be placed in front 
of the medicine-lodge. Big- ‘Meteoric-Star asks to be known as “Wonderful 
Grandfather” and sit by Wonderful Grandmother in front of medicine- jodge. 
Dog asks, as he brought the news, to guard camps and villages and to be offered 
in ceremonies, and his fat to be used by medicine-men. Mother-Corn gives corn 
for ‘seeds that corn may be offered to gods. People who scattered to be their 
enemies—to the southwest, “Sahe;” to northeast, “Pechea;” to the east, ““Wooden- 
Faces;” to south, “Witchcraft-People.” Mother-Corn stays with people until 
she has taught them bundle ceremonies. She tells them to tie all children’s 
moccasins together on her back. Then they are to take her to river and throw 
her in. People do not understand and keep up singing in night. At daylight 
they find Mother-Corn has turned to ear of corn, with buffalo robe tied to it. 
People place children’s moccasins with corn and throw them with Mother-Corn 
and robe into river. Many years afterwards Mother-Corn returns and teaches 
more bundle ceremony songs and finally disappears. 
5. THE ORIGIN OF THE ARIKARA. 
Many people in cave under ground with Corn, Mother of tribe. Mother- 
Corn sends four birds to find better world, but they are unsuccessful. Long- 
nosed Mouse, or Mole, Skunk, and Badger work, and at last Badger goes through 
hole, but falls asleep. Returns in morning and Mother-Corn forces her way 
through hole followed by all people. They march westward. They come to wide 
water, thick forest, deep ravine in succession, which Fish, Owl, and Kingfisher 
help them to cross. They see Buffalo on open prairie and are afraid, but Mole, 
Skunk, and Badger make holes all around animal. His blood sinks into ground 
