At the feast, the three wa¢ixabe are put in the middle of the lodge. The keepers take their seats, and sing sacred songs, some of which are addresses to the Thunder, while others are dancing songs. Among the former is one of which a fragment was given by [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ:
"Wi-ʇi´-gan nan´-pe-wa´-¢ě e-gan´, Wi-ʇi´-gan nan´-pe-wa´-¢ě e-gan´, We´-tin kě g¢i´-han-han ʞĭ, Nan´-pe wá-¢ě——."
"As my grandfather is dangerous, As my grandfather is dangerous, When he brandishes his club, Dangerous——."
When he had proceeded so far [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ stopped and refused to tell the rest, as it was too sacred.
This song is also sung by the keepers of the wa¢ixabe after the return of the warriors, when the ordeal of the wastégistú is tried. (See § [214].)
Though the keepers sometimes sing the songs four times, and the others then dance around four times, this is not always done so often. After the dance they enjoy the feast.
Presents are made by the giver of the feast to the keepers of the wa¢ixabe, who are thus persuaded to lend their sacred bags with the peculiar advantages or sacredness which they claim for them.
§ 197. The principal captains select the lieutenants, and assign to each of the other captains a company of about twenty warriors. Each of the minor captains camps with his own company, which has its own camp-fire apart from the other companies. But only the two principal captains select the scouts, police, etc.
When the fasting, etc., begins (see § [191]), even the captains wear plumes in their hair.
When the party is very large, requiring many moccasins, and they intend going a long distance, a longer period than four days may be required for their preparations.