The Red Cloud chief., 1919-10-30

pile before the chief then shut the door curtain.
The chief then announces, Now we VIII purify
ourselves and throws some cedar twigs on the
hot stones. then a splash of water. upon when u
sweet.smelling steam arises He then cries. 'Fire.
water ccdar-purfy u.s." takes a stick from his
bundle and lays II aside whereupon all the cahui-
dates cry "HoOo." He then throws on more twiss
and another splash Of water, then lays ASIDE 'he
second stick--and until all the Sticks nave
been laid aside, twelve in all then pours on 'ot
Of water until the stones give no more stea!n.
Then the chief rises and says, 1T Is hn'sheu,
and walks out, followed by the others, ana all
plunge into the water They emerge ana oress
little later each candidate Is approached by
mysterious person In Indian dress ana IL ieu ou'
into the dark woods. where he finds hideous
creature the Misingw. Living Solid Face Doll
ing a little kettle over small fire. The Misingw
cries. "Hon, Hon, Hon, Hon." and shakes MS
rattle at the candidate, then dips him up wooden
ladle full OF the herb brew. which the candidate
drinks from little wooden bowl.
Breakfast Before Sunrise.
After all have taken this "black drink" they are
supposed to "sleep out" In the woods, II the
weather permits. Before dawn next day they
must rise and get their breakfasts (preferably
nrepare their own) and clOthe themselves only In
n breechcloth and an old blanket. All breakfasts
must be eaten before sunrise. the sun must nor
see them eat this day OF fasting.
When all are ready they line up before the chief
and the Oshkosh smear the face or each win
ground charcoal. Then the boys are taken out 10
their posts each out OF sight OF all the ouefs' "n
left to fast and mediate.
About the middle of the morning strange man.
dressed as farmer. and carrying gun, up
proaches each boy. He announces himser the
owner Of the property and orders the boy OF as a
trespasser Four times he repeats this order.
then. falling he goes on to the next boy.
At noon boys come along and stop near the
candidates post to eat sandwich or s0-then
ofrer him one Four times they offer him one to
eat. then failing, so on to the next BOY.
Along in the afternoon the chief himself comes
out ostensibly to inspect the fasters; ne looks
around to see II anyone Is watching then tells the
nov con6dentially that he has felt sorry for him
IA hos smucgled him out bite to eat Four
t,mes be Offers him food. and failing goes on to
tho next This makes ~ temptations In all.
From time to time the Misingw visits the posts
onJ peers Mt the candidates from bushes or from
behind trees.
which the candidates come in, wash the mourning
paInt from their faces, dress In gala attire. eat
thar simmer and gather In the Big House. where
6res have been ligh.e by the Oshkosh and the
beorths swept with Il ykeywin brushes. The chel
10 IN gala attire, vita the right half OF his face
painted red with REQ Ochre. and the other hal'
black with powdered charcoal. The chief stands
with his back to the west door Of the Big House
and says:
Admitted 70 the Tribe.
my sons, we have tasted as did our Unam
crondrnthers--only they tasted four or more days
and nights absolutely without fOOd-sometime'
longer Now are going to admit such OF yot
os stood the test to the rank OF warrior OF the
Unam tribe"
One by one the candidates come up before hin
and are solemnly admitted to the tribe and the,
are robed In the turtle cape" and have their faces
painted.
When all have been taken into the tribe. thu
chief takes his place and an Oshkosh brings him I
bundle of speech sticks. Then he announces
II will now read from these picture writings th'
u blessings which pray may be ours as WARRIOR
of the Unami tribe" He then reads the sticks
As he finishes each and lays II aside, the trlb'
cries, .HOoow until all have been read. Then
led by the chief and the six Oshkosh. they marcl
in line completely around the two fires from
left to right then outside where they line up fac
ing the east and cry "Hooo!" II times. whcl
finishes the ceremony.