70. HOW THE MEDICINE-ROBE SAVED THE ARIKARA.
When Arikara living in Nebraska young woman alone in lodge while medicine-men’s ceremony is performing. She sees enemy looking at her through top of opening. He digs at side of lodge and she puts out fire. Next day husband hides in lodge, and when enemy comes he catches him from behind. Woman gives alarm and men come and overpower enemy. He says southern tribe are coming to kill them. Man is tied upon scaffold and left to die. He breaks loose several times by shaking his arms, so he is stabbed to death. During ceremony this man comes into lodge. All medicine-men run out. Keeper of wonderful robe goes and wraps man in robe and throws him into river. Afterwards so many Sioux come that people are scared. Keeper of holy robe wraps it round body and taking eagle wing and gourd climbs upon top of lodge. He then shakes himself and shakes robe towards sun. Enemy are so scared they give way and there is great slaughter. Scalps are brought in and there is great rejoicing.