30. THE ORIGIN OF THE WOLF DANCE.
Young man, son of chief, refuses to marry and seven girls plan to put him into hole. They spread weeds over hole and young man falls in. Girls promise to take him out if he does certain things, but finally they leave him. He cries and gray Wolf hears. Wolf says he will help him, and while he is gone Bear comes. Wolf returns and they quarrel about boy, but finally agree that whoever digs through to boy first shall claim him. Wolf gets to boy first, but Bear says he shall be his son. Wolf takes boy among Wolves and he comes to act like wolf. Afterward Buffalo hunters see him, but they cannot catch him. They make trap and place buffalo meat inside inclosure. Wolves are run into trap and four strong men with rawhide leggings are put in. Other Wolves are let out, but Wolf man caught. They tie him, put him into sweat-lodge, and make him vomit. Wolf man recovers and has tipi made. Seven girls who had put boy into hole are invited. Man goes and calls for Wolves and Bears. They come, and he places them about tipi. He tells girls, who try to escape, but Wolves eat them. Father tells people boy’s story and girls’ relatives do not offer to save them. Young man finally becomes chief. He starts Wolf dance.