Wichita eagle., 1889-10-01
A SEVERE TEST.


youngsters going through the ordeal for the
first time-are ranged around the center pole,
keeping time with the tomtOms with pecu-
liar step that requires one foot at a time to be
raised, while the weight OF the body is brought
down ON the heel that is touching the ground
The body is crouched and bent forward with
the arms raised, the right arm being extended
above the head when the left foot is down,
and the left arm when the right foot is down
}This alternating motion constitutes the dance,
End can be kept UP without gaining ground
Tut the fresh youths occasionally spring both
award and forward and thereby elicit ap-
lause. All the time the dancers must face
.Ae sun and look at il. They are not allowed
any head covering, and are stripped naked,
except breech clout
The dancers hold in their mouths whistles,
made out OF the bones of turkeys wings,
which they blow as they breathe the object
being to keep the mouth dry. They are not
allowed water or food during the whole time
of the dance about forty-eight hours. To
intensity their desire for water, which is the
harder of the two 10 bear, several Philanthro-
pists go among them with water, which they
pour from cup into bucket in front of the
dancers so they can see and smell it. These
iphilanthropists are accompanied by good
Eamaritans, who assist the power of the sun
fby flashing light from a looking glass into the
Manners eyes.
&)nly the most tender hearted Of these cul
fred children of nature are Entrusted with
xthese delicate missions, and they must belong
No different lodges than the dancers they APP
Eoear before. Their desire is TO break down
THE dancers, while it is a matter of pride
with the members of the lodges to which
these youngsters belong to succeed, and it Is
!. permissible for a buck, not one of the
\ dancers, to go alongside OF a tired friend and
let him lean his back against him, both keep
Ing up the dance. Although the dance was
not more than six or seven hours old when
! we appeared there were several dancers be-
} ing assisted in this manner. TIE only ceSsa-
ton of the dance allowed the dancer each
one gets his chance) is when the big medicine
man, who stands near the center pole, calls
hyxrup to be operated upon. But he is only
peImitted 10 stand still long enough to en-
dure that pleasure, which consists in having
incisions made in the flesh OF his breasts or
on his back below the shoulder blades,
through which are run throngs of deer skin,
to which are tied either buffalo head or a
lariat, taken from the pole.
While this matter of sight and sound is
kept up warrior viii enter the circle, and
In loud voice crate to the crowd, telling Of
his exploits in the good times gone by, when
scaluing was not a lost art. This dance I'm
: telling of was Lald the next summer after the
Custer massacre. and several OF the audience
present had been actively engaged in 1t. These
orators talk well. and what they say is lis
tened to with great attention 1t fires the
] young mems hearts with desire to emulate
the deeds described, and keeps the dancers
nerved up to so through with an ordeal which
viii entitle them TO appear and tel what they
have done, even If it only consists In the
killing of an OLD Ponca squaw.
Sun dance is q fair trial of s. mans ability
to endure discomfortS. And when young
buck has successfully gone through with 1t
he is entitled 10 be considered qualified for
tho vicissitudes of a warriors lfe.-CaPt.
Allen Smith II Pirtshurg Dispstch