3. THE ORIGIN OF THE ARIKARA.
Large people on earth long ago destroyed by flood, by Nesaru. People turn into corn and are put into cave with animals. Nesaru turns ear of corn into woman and sends her to bring people from earth. People and animals know her. Badger, Mole, and long-nosed Mouse offer to help her to take people out. They dig in turns. Thunder opens earth. People go out upon earth, journey west, leaving behind Badgers, long-nosed Mice, Moles, and some people who turn back into earth and become animals. People come to great basin, which Kingfisher fills up by striking bill into banks. Journey is continued until people stopped by timber, which is removed by Owl. They come to big lake. Loon parts waters. Mother-Corn returns to heavens. People here make games, first shinny and then javelins, to catch ring with. Winners kill those of other side. Mother-Corn returns to give people rules to go by. Man is selected as chief. He instructs people as to scalping. Mother-Corn makes bundle, songs, ritual, and ceremonies. Man instructs medicine-man, teaches them sleight-of-hand, and tells them to make village. Mother-Corn leads people to Republican River, Kansas. Awaho people come last and receive ceremonies from Mother-Corn. They offer smoke to gods. Dog comes to village and complains that Mother-Corn has left out Dog and Whirlwind. Dog has come from Sun, who has given it curative power. Whirlwind is disease, and if dog meat first offered as sacrifice gods will send storm to drive away disease. Whirlwind comes and Dog appeases gods and says he will be people’s guardian. Mother-Corn says gods in heavens are four world-quarters. They will send storm if smoke not given to them first. Mother-Corn is Cedar-Tree in front of lodge and Stone at right of her is man who established office of chief. Nesaru watches over them and gives them long life.