A hole is made in the ground deep enough to reach to the hips of the effigy, when the latter is put into it and the loose earth loosely restored so as to hold it in an upright position. Some magic powder of herbs is sprinkled around the body, and into the vertical orifice in
it, when the head is put in place. A series of inarticulate utterances are chanted, when, if everything be favorable, the figure will perceptibly move up and down as if possessed of life. [Fig. 18] represents another figure used in a similar manner. It consists of one piece, however, and is decorated with narrow bands of dark blue flannel about the ankles and knees, a patch of red cloth upon the breast and bands about the wrists, each of the eyes being indicated by three white porcelain beads.
| Fig. 17. | Fig. 18. |
One of the most astonishing tests, however, and one that can be produced only by Midē´ of the highest power, consists in causing a Midē´ sack to move upon the ground as if it were alive. This, it is confidently alleged, has been done repeatedly, though it is evident that the deception is more easily produced than in the above-mentioned instances, as the temporary retention within a bag of a small mammal could readily be made to account for the movements.
In most of these private exhibitions the light is so obscured as to prevent the deception being observed and exposed; and when public demonstrations of skill are made the auditors invariably consist of the most credulous of the uninitiated, or the confréres of the performer, from whom no antagonism or doubt would be expected.
The preceptor then consults with the Midē´ priests respecting the presents to be delivered by the candidate, and repeats the following words, viz:
| Mis-shai´-ĕ-gwa | tshi-dĕ-bŏg-in-de-mung´. | gi´-she-gŏ-dung´ |
| Now is the time | that we shall fix the price | of everything pertaining to the sky, |
| ka-mi´-nĕ- | nŏngk | gi´-she-goy-dŭng´ | di´-bi-ga-dōnk´ gai-yé´. | |
| that has been | given to us | from the day | [and] | the night also. |
| A-pē´-gĕ-dá´wŭnk | i´-wa-pī | ge-bin´-de-ga-yŏngk´, |
| When it shall come to pass | and at the time | that we shall enter, |
| ă-au´-wa-mi-dē´-wĭd. |
| he who wishes to become a Midē´. |