29. THE BUFFALO-WIFE AND THE JAVELIN GAME.
Young man out hunting dreams of two buffalo bulls turning into sticks and of buffalo cow turning into ring. In morning he sees cow and lies with her. Finds ring in grass and wears it on his wrist. He makes sticks and plays game with young men, winning many things. Goes hunting and sees old woman, who induces him to carry her across river on his back. He can not throw her off and he goes home with her fast to his back. Medicine-men are sent for, but they can do nothing. Poor boy puts on old robe and goes to young man’s lodge with bow and four arrows of different colors. He shoots black arrow and splits woman in two. With red arrow he takes her off boy. The other arrows he places on boy’s back to remove sore place. Old woman is then burned. Next day crying and voice are heard near where woman burned. Young man finds ring has gone. White tipi with woman and child inside appears where others were. Young man goes to see it and woman with new buffalo robe passes by him, having child. Young man makes bundle of eagle feathers and follows them. They become buffalo. Calf communicates with father, and woman finally becomes reconciled to him. They come to hill on which Buffalo bull, boy’s grandfather, is waiting for them. Man puts two eagle feathers on his horns. He sends them on to next hill and at last they come to hill with four Buffalo bulls, chiefs of Buffalo camp. Man puts feathers on their heads. They are sent into village and Buffalo become mad because man has not feathers enough to go around. Man made to sit on hill until they decide what to do with him. He sticks flint knife into ground and asks gods to form stone around where he sits. Buffalo devise various ways for killing him, but do not succeed in doing so. They decide to send man with Buffalo cow and calf to Indian village for presents. Buffalo bull turns man into Buffalo. Buffalo follow them. Man finds village and tells errand. People bring eagle feathers and native tobacco, which man takes to Buffalo. Buffalo willing to be slaughtered and man tells chiefs. Four times people go and kill Buffalo. Leader of Buffalo gives man sticks to play with. Sticks and ring different kinds of people. Man lives long life. Buffalo calf starts Buffalo ceremony among people.
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.
31. MEDICINE DANCE OF THE BEAVER, TURTLE, AND WITCH-WOMAN.
Animals meet for sleight-of-hand performances. Only Beaver, soft-shell Turtle, and Witch-Woman are to perform. Beaver gnaws nearly through three of lodge posts and people ask him to stop, as they think lodge will fall. Turtle sticks knife near left collar-bone and water pours out all over lodge. People are afraid and Turtle takes all water back again. Witch-Woman plays with gun, but calls for help and gives birth to child, who is to be great medicine-man.
32. THE VILLAGE-BOY AND THE WOLF POWER.
Four girls are made fun of for dancing with their brother. “Village-Boy” has never gone on war-path. Boy goes to graveyard to mourn. Wolf comes and asks why he is crying. Wolf tells boy to join next war-party and he will lead him to enemy’s camp. War-party starts and Village-Boy follows in three days. Wolf has taught him secret powers and when he comes to ravine he rolls on the ground and becomes wolf. He barks and friend brings him burnt bones, which he gnaws. Next day he tells friend enemy’s camp is near. He drives in ponies. When enemy is attacked Village-Boy is in lead and takes scalp. He gives scalp to leader and returns ahead of war-party, but says nothing. Leader gives all credit to Village-Boy. Scalp-dance held. Young man’s sisters dance without fear of ridicule. He goes east with warriors and takes head of medicine-man of Dumb People. Head dries and is used for medicine purposes. Now about size of hen’s egg.
33. THE RABBIT-BOY.
Young man who has not been on war-path mourns on graveyard hill. Remains there several days in storm. Jack-Rabbit crawls under his robe. Eagle comes and asks for Rabbit. Rabbit promises him powers if he will save him. Eagle promises him scalps if he will turn Rabbit loose. Boy refuses and Eagle flies away. Rabbit says he will make young man great warrior and gives him war-club, rabbit-skin, and medicine paints. Boy returns home. He follows war-party and acts as scout. Goes and brings ponies from enemy’s village. Attack is made on enemy’s camp. Rabbit-Boy kills old man and goes through village and escapes. Sees pretty girl who watches him. Soon after they go again to village. Boy kills man and again sees girl. Girl gives Arikara woman captive moccasins, beaded bracelets, and beaded armlet to take to young man. Woman gives him things and young man at once starts for enemy’s camp. He goes to girl’s tipi, puts in his hand, and she recognizes him by bracelet. He sleeps with girl and father finds them in bed together. Father sends for warriors, who prepare to kill young man. He is saved by new-comer, who is glad he has married one of their girls, as he will now lead their people. They go on war-path to young man’s country. He kills captive woman and gives her scalp to chief. This happens several times and young man never kills members of his own tribe. The two tribes make peace.