Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-12-07

ture of the crime, MEDICINE BAG. >
pays q heavy fine aud is reinstated. Should
any member divulge the secrets Of the order
his life is forfeited in a way that none know
the instigator or perpetrator. They have
secrets, and, it is supposed, have signs by
which one may know another in the dark as
well as in the day. During the initiation and
again just at daybreak something is whispered
to the candidate. e
cIRCLING GROW DANCE.
The Pa gi7nu-hi-na-A wa-ci-pi, or the cir
cling crow dance, Is called by the Americans
straw or grass dance. Only members OF the
order participate in this dance, and its ctoun-
ellis are secret. 1t is controlled by three men
selected at the starting of the lodge from
among the more influential members of the
tribe, who at death or upon resigning their
Office select their own SUCCESSORS. The rega-
liza belonging to tho three by virtue of their
Office is peculiar, consisting of a kind of tunic
falling from the waist down behind, attached
to a broad band around the waist, and COM
posed entirely of feathers of the eagle and
crow, with beadwork, %porcupine quilts and
jingling bells. Exactly in tho center and
resting in the hollow of the back Fastened to
the belt projects a slender piece of wood
about eight inches long wrapped with porcu-
pine quilts, to the cld of which eagle and
crow feathers and small bells are attached
with long strings-every motiono of the wearer
causing these sticks to vibrate and the bells
to jingle. This is an emblem of rank, and
when invested with it one usually gives away
Z, horse There are -four 3drumDlers. Each
one is provided with a stick about three feet
long, one end notchea and wrapped around
with quilts and beads, the other end sharp
ened. These are stuck in the ground, and
drums with corresponding loops are hung on
to them. The dancers seat themselves in a
ring on the ground, wrapped in their bla..-
kets, the ariifiiifeis OH one side chanting and
Beating their drums. At signal al! jump
up, and, throwing their arms aloft, chant
with uncouth gestures and an occasional
whoop; dance for a few moments, when all
but one seat themselves. This one, standingin
the ring keeps on with gestures, wildly wav.
ing his tomahawk. or a sudden be will seat
himself, and in a low, monotonous chant re-.
cite Ills exploits of war and chase. after
which all will jumpnp,adance and ye.l, and
the saine performances are again. gone
through with. This is kept up for several
days at a time, or until all the provisions
have been exhausted. During this dance. If
any member wishes a divorce from his wife
he gets, up and proclaims that she is nolonger
his wife, or that he has been deputized by
some one not a member (naming him) 20 saw
that be has thrown away" his wife. An
outsider by payment can deputize a member
to do this. In their own eyes this makes him
a brave man and big chief.
The dance is arranged for in this way: A
steward is appointed to collect provisions,
and no one dares refuse him. After collect
Ing sufficient to last several DAYS he notifies
the leaders, They call ia the lodge and form
arrangements for the dance, and then the vii.
lage crier goes around and proclaims that the
dance will take place about such a time. If any
questions are to be decided the head men dis
cuss 1t, after which it is put to a vote. One
deputized goes to each member present and
asks him for his decision, the result showing
whether the question is carried or lost. Then
the council is closed, outsiders are allowed to
enter and the dance begins. An old woman