They saw Standing Wolf carefully unfasten the wrappings from the medicine-bundle, and remove a skin of the great white Medicine Owl. He held it before him, and raised his face toward the heavens. It was evident that he was chanting a sacred medicine-song. Then he turned toward the four principal points of the compass, and repeated the ceremony. The Delawares watched him with fascinated eyes. They believed that at last the secret of his power had been discovered. Gokhos, the mysterious white Medicine Owl, was his lucky talisman.
“Now I know why Getanittowit put us in this camp,” said Running Fox. “Yes, I have seen the white robe of Gokhos, the Medicine Owl, and I will not go away without it.”
“It is wrapped in the mysterious medicine-bundle,” Spotted Deer warned him. “Much harm may come to us if we open one of those bundles.”
“No, I do not believe it,” replied Running Fox. “I must do as it appeared in my dream. Spotted Deer, if we get that mysterious white skin, I believe we will become as great as Standing Wolf.”
The thought fired their imagination. They lost all further interest in the Green Corn Festival, and cared only to know into which lodge the medicine-man carried the sacred bundle. They watched patiently until the first day’s ceremony ended at midday. Then they sought to keep the medicine-man and his precious burden in sight, but in spite of their best efforts he eluded them in the great throng of Mohawks, and their long vigil ended in bitter disappointment.
“I believe we will find it in the lodge of that medicine-man,” declared Spotted Deer.
“No, I believe it is in the lodge of Standing Wolf,” said Running Fox.
“Well, if that is true perhaps some bad Medicine Creatures will kill us if we go into the lodge,” Spotted Deer suggested, solemnly.
“Well, I cannot help it,” replied Running Fox. “When I find out where the mysterious medicine-bundle hangs I am going in to get that skin.”
“How will you get away?” inquired Spotted Deer.