The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-12-21

Ger. Inc ceremonies commenced
with a great feast and all the fat
dogs in the camp were killed and
cooked and at shutdown the dan
GERS were seated around the festive
board. This was the last they could
eat or drink till the dance was
completed and seated around the
altar were the chiefs and head men
of the different tribes smoking the
pipe Of peace. And in another
part Of the enclosure the squaws
and giddy young girls were hav-
ing a dance Of their own, and Oh
the outside in different parts of
the camp other dances were in
progress. None was paying any
attention to the Sundancers except
those who prepared the feast.
noticed Rain-in-the- Face among
those partaking of the least and I
asked him why he was there and
he said he had been badly wound
ed at the battle with Custer and
he had promised the Great Spirit
while lying upon the battle field if
he would spare his life he would
participate in the Sundance at
the first opportunity. I recognized
several among the dancers and
they all said they were there on
account Of promises or VOWS made
to the Great Spirit. The feast
completed they retire to sleep till
daylight at which time the real
dance would commence. A guard
was placed over them to see that
none partook gilmore food or drink.
At the first dawn of the day the
dancers were marched out nearly
naked, their faces and bodies paint
ed with many colors and formed
circle around the pole previously
planted. The Medicine Man made
two verticle incisions in each
breast of the dancers about two
inches long and about the same
distance from each other, then he
ran his knife under the true skin
cutting a hole from one incision to
the other large enough to admit a
thong of raWhide about an inch
and a half wide which was securely
tied at each end forming loop, to
the middle of which was tied one
of the ropes hanging from the top
fthe pole. This completed, the
musiciansseated themselvesaround
the drum near by ALI eyes fixed up
on the east and the moment the
sun made its appearance above the
horizon the music commenced and
the dance was on in earnest, each
dancer keeping step to the music,
and keeping the rope to which he
was attached taut. Each was sup
piled with a whistle and they
would alternately whistle, sing
and pray. The object now was to
gradually pull on the rope until the
raw ride would cut through the
skin and free them. The dancers
faced the sun as nearly as. possible
which to them represented the
Great Spirit and they would chant
His praise and implore forgiveness
and promise love and obedience
forever more. Occasionally one
would faint and his friends would
carry him to the shade and as
soon as he revived he would be
tied up again and continue the
dance. All day and all night the
dance ragged. Musicians would be
relieved from time to time by
fresh ones, but the music never
ceased. Feasts would be prepared
and eaten in sight Of the dancers,
buckets of water would be set be-
fore them as ifto tempt them, but
not the least notice would be taken
Of it by the dancers. Wearied
and worn they suffered and dane
ed for thirty-six hours before the
last one was released, and he fell
fainting perfectly exhausted when
the last thong broke loose, and
the last great sundance was ended.
-Morgantowu Dominion.
For Sale.
a pair of fine lmares, one bay the