Four medicine men, whose bodies are painted with white clay, dance around the kettle until the corn is well boiled; and they then burn it to cinders, as an offering to the Great Spirit. The fire is then destroyed, and new fire created by rubbing two sticks together, with which the corn for their own feast is cooked.
447. Bear Dance, Sioux—Preparing for a Bear Hunt—Song to the Great Spirit, praying for success.
448. Discovery Dance, Sacs and Foxes—A Pantomime; pretending to discover game, or an enemy.
A very picturesque and pleasing dance.
449. Eagle Dance, Choctaw—Holding the eagle’s tail in the hand, and bodies painted white.
Given in honour of that valiant bird.
450. Slave Dance, Sacs and Foxes.
A society of young men, who volunteer to be slaves for two years, and elect their chief or master; they are then exempt from slavish duties during the remainder of their lives, and are allowed to go on war-parties.
451. Snow-shoe Dance, Ojibbeway—danced at the first fall of snow, with snow shoes on the feet.
Song of thanks to the Great Spirit.