The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-01-21


old men, who could do nothing but give
advice. AS usual, the war party started
at dusk Of the succeeding night, but that
before they went they would go through
q sacred sweat. presided over by a
medicine man who would pray in public
daily for their success during their alb
Sence. - =, -. :. .s -. : - +. !. ),
Along in the afternoon the preparations
began A number of women built fire
near the river and. placed a number of
good-siZed stones in it to heat. Then they
cut number of very long slender will
lows, which they stuck upright in the
ground, making a circle about eighteen
they dug hole in the centre of the Cir
Gle, and then :interlaced the tops of the
willows, thus making half sphere OF
the framework. Over this they placed
numbers of robes, tanned skins and
pleted. Then came the old medicine man
with his mysterious pouches and his
sacred pipe He placed these inside and
then procured buffalo bulls skull,
which he also took in. Soon the war
riors appeared, and as each one passed
in he dropped, his blanket and breech-
clout, his only clothing, just outside the
doorway. All were now inside and the
hot stones from the fire were brought by
the women and rol led 4irto the hole In
the centre. The women also passed In a
old medicine man began to sing low,
melancholy chant, and at the same time
dipped buffalo tail in the water and
switched it on the rocks, the fluid Kissed
when 1t struck the hot stones, and as
more water was applied thin streams of
steam escaped where the coverings OF the
construction were not absolutely tight.
The singing stepped abruptly, and an
other tune, quick, high-keyed and exult-
amt, was started, in which all the war
riors joined. After that the medicine man
prayed to the sun asking it to have pity
on these young men about to start TO
war. ~ -. Dc. 49,. !. .s III ,
Guide their steps, he said. that they
fall into no ambush by the way. Sharpen
their eyes that they may see the enemy
from afar. Strengthen their hearts that
they may fight bravely for the honor of
this people. Bring them back safely and
with many scalps that the grief of our
women and children may be lightened.
Pity us all, men, women and children;
give us long life and health. Let us
survive the dangers which beset us on
every hand" sIt..
More hot stones were called for and
the steam inside increased in density. The
song Of the coyote, emblem of caution
and sagacity, was sung. Then there were
more prayers by the medicine man to
his mystery-that is, his sacred and Sc
cret charms-and finally. after half an
hours intense sweating, the warriors
came forth, enveloping themselves in
their blankets as they arose and hurry
ing to the rivers bank they plunged into
the icy stream. Thence, they separated to
their homes to don their clothing and get
ready for the start g. -...s -. .-. .-. ...-. +. .
had stood around nearly all the after
noon watching the building and cere-
monies of the medicine swe2thouse. and
it was nearly dark when 1 returned TO
our lodge. found Dan busily packing
a. lot of moccasins and some food in a
~ 1no oor1 a
lust got permission from Red Eagle to
join his party and intended to accomp-
any them. -..:. - -,
''But why on earth do you wish to go?'
T asked. 1.-THE ioux haven't killed any
"Horses my boy, horses" he replied.
horses taken by this expedition and I
want some of them. I'm going to quit
this life next summer and settle down
ON a ranch. A rancher can't get along
without horses and as I am not able to
buy them I've got to steal them. Lord
knows the Sioux have stolen many a
head from me, so if succeed I'll only be
playing even.'
Nothing could say would alter his
determination. so got some women to
move my belongings over to Running
Cranes lodge, where I was to stay dur
ing his absence, and then went with Dan
to see the party off, They had all as
sembled near the leaders, lodge and were
waiting for him to come out. Each man
carried a little bundle of moccasinS and
food and strapped on his back or slung
over his shoulder were his war clothes,
such as feather or horned buckskin
shirts and leggins, which were to be
donned just before the battle. Nearly all
carried rifles of one kind or. another but
some were armed only with the bow and
arrow and the shield. Others who had
guns also carried these primitive weapons
which from horsebacks and at close
range we're terribly effective. "A great
crowd Of men, women and children had
asse 1nbled to see the party leave. The
his iS weapons and clothing the sac sacred med
icine bundle intrustef to him by the med
icine man. He looked neither to the
right nor left. but strobe off at a rapid
singly and in little group. fell in behind
him. No one uttered a word. save one
young married woman, who cried out: &.
Don't go! Don't go, my husband ~
'Hush!" said an old woman, putting
one hand over her mouth. 'tDo you seek
to take the courage out of his heart and
make him a woman 2?
After the war party left the daily life
of the camp was resumed The men
hunted. the. women tanned robes and
performed the household work The old.
men me Il only sat serenity about the FIRE.
Toasted. smoked and spun yarns. But the
warriors were not forgotten; prayers
were continually offered for their safety
and success. The neighboring trees were
hung with sacrifices to the sun in their
behalf, and every evening the old rnedi-
cine man rode about through the camp,
calling out the names of the absent ones
as heSshook his rattles. q w lille everything
vas very quiet about the camp in the day
ime, as soon as night came sounds OF Z