The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-10-30

pile before the chief then shut the door curtain.
The chief then announces, Nov we Will purify
ourselves" and throws some cedar twigs on the
hot stones then a splash of water, upon which a
understanding steam arises. He then cries, 51re,
water, cedar-purify u.s. takes stick from his
bundle and lays it aside whereupon all the candf
dates cry 'HOOo" He then throws on more tWlgs
and another splash of water, then lays aside the
second stick-and until all the sticks nave
been laid aside, twelve in all, then pours on a lot
Of water until the stones give no more steam
Then the chief rises and says, ut is finished
and walks out, followed by the others, and all
plunge into the water. They emerge and dress
A little later each candidate is approached oy
mysterious person in Indian dress and is led our
into the dark woods, where he finds a hideous
creature the Misingw, Living Solid Face, boil
ing little kettle q small fire The M1s1ngW
cries Hon. Hon, Hon, Hon." and shakes his
rattle at the candidate, then dips him up wooden
ladIe full of the herb brew, which the candidate
drinks from a little wooden bowl.
Breakfast Before Sunrise.
After all have taken this 'black drink they are
supposed to "sleep out" in the woods. IL the
weather permits. Before dawn next DAY they
must rise and get their breakfasts preferably
prepare their own) and clothe themselves only in
a breechcIoth and an old blanket All breakfasts
must be eaten before sunrise, the "sun must NOT
see them eat on this day of fasting"
When ali are ready they line up before the CHIEF
and the Oshkosh smear the face of each with
ground charcoal. Then the boys are taken out to
their posts, each out of sight Of all the others ana
left to fast and mediate
About the middle of the morning strange man,
dressed as a farmer, and carrying a gum ap-
proaches each boy. He announces himself the
owner of the property and orders the boy off as
trespasser Four times he repeats this order,
then failing, he goes on to the next boy.
At noon boys come along and stop near the
candidates post to eat a sandwich or so-then
offer him one. Four times they offer him one to
eat then falling go TO the next boy.
Along in the afternoon the chief himself comes
to iTSTO no
around to see if anyone is watching then tells the
how confidentiaIly that he has felt sorry for him
and has struggled him out bite to eat. Four
times he offers him food, and failing goes on TO
the next This makes u temptations in all
From time to time the AIisingw visits the posts
and peers at the candidates from bushes or from
behind trees
AFTER the sun goes down a whoop is raised. at
which the candidates come in, wash the mourning
Dafnt from their faces, dress in gala attire, eat
their supper and gather In the Big House, where
fires have been lighted by the Oshkosh and the
heerths swept with turkey-wing brushes. The chief
is in gala attire with the right half of his face
nainted red with red ochre, and the other half
black with powdered charcoal The chief stands
with his back to the west door of the Big House
and says:
Admitted TO the Tribe.
srNIv sons we have tasted as did our Unami
orsndfa thers-onIy they tasted four or more days
and nights absolutely without fOod-sometimes
longer Now going to admit such Of you
as stood the test to the rank OF warrior OF the
Unami tribe"
One by one the candidates come up before him
and are solemnIy admitted to the tribe and they
are robed in the turtle cape" and have their faces
painted.
When all have been taken into the tribe, the
chief takes his place and an Oshkosh brings him
hundIe of speech sticks. Then he announces:
ST will now read from these picture writings the
II blessings which I pray may be ours warriors
of the Unami tribe" He then reads the sticks
Az hof he rih
cries "HOooI !" until all have been read Then
led By the chief and the six Oshkosh they march
in a line completely around the two fires from
left to right, then outside where they line I'D fac
ing the east and cry "HOooF u times. which
finishes the ceremony.