The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-10-23

nile before the chief then shut the door curtain.
The chief then announces. "Now we Will purify
ourselves" and throws some cedar twigs on the
hot stones. then splash Of water upon which
sweet-smelling steam arises. He then cries. Fire.
water. cedar-purify u.s." takes a stick from his
bundle and nys II aside. whereupOn all the cand'-
dates cry "HOOO" He then throws on more twigs
and another splash of water, then lays aside the
second stick-and so on until all the sticks have
been laid aside. twelve In all, then pOurs on lot
Of water until the stones give no more steam.
Then the chief rises and says. 1t is nnshed,
and walks out. followed by the others. and all
plunge Into the water They emerge and DRESS
A little later each candidate Is approached by 4
mysterous person in Indian dress and is led out
into the dark woods. where he finds hideous
creature, the Miangw. or Living Solid Face, DOLL
Ing little kettle over small hre. The Aisingw
cries. Hon, Hon. Hon. Hon." and shakes his
rattle At the candidate. then dips him up wooden
iadle full Of the herb brew. which the candidate
drinks from little wooden bowl.
0rsakfast Dsfsrs eunriss.
After al have taken this black drink they arc
supposed to 'saeep out" In the woods. II the
weather persnlta. Before dawn next day they
must rise and get their breakfasts tpre1efaoay
prepare their Own) and ciothe themselves only IN
a 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 ready they line up before the cniei
and the Oshkosh smear the face Of each with
ground charcoal Then the boys are taken out to
their posts each Of sight OF all the others. and
left to fast and mediate.
About the middle Of the morning strange man.
dressed as a farmer. and carrying gun ap-
prOaches each boy. He announces himself the
owner of the property and orders the boy OF 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 . sandwich or so-then
offer him Four times they ofer him one to
&ho Foil inn 90 m tn
Along In the afternoon the chief himself comes
ont osteusibly to inspect the fasters; he looks
around to see II anyone IL watching then tells the
how coufidentially that he has felt sorry for him
and has smuggled him out bite to eat -Four
times he offers him food and failing goes on to
the next. This makes ~ temptations In all
From time to time the Nisingw visits the posts
and peers at the candidates from bushes or from
behind trees.
After the sun goes down a whoop Is raised. al
which the candidates come In. wash the mourning
paint from their faces. drsB N gala attire, eat
their supper ard gather In the Big House, where
ores have been lighted By the Oshkosh ana tne
hearths swept with turkey-wing brushes Ihe cnse1
Ia In gala attire. with the right half Of his face
painted red with red ochre. and the other hall
black with powdered charcoal The chief stands
With his back to the west door Of the Big House
and sayss
Admitted ts the Tribe.
any sons we have tasted did our Unaml
grandfnthers-Oniy they fasteo 1our or "ofe ua'
and nights absolutely without food-sometimes
longer Now going to admit such OF you
az stood the test to the rank OF warrior OF the
Unami tribe"
One by one the candidates come up before him
and are solemnly 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 Oshkosh brings him q
bundle OF speech sticks. Then he announces
II Will now read from these picture writings the
IL blessings which pray may be ours as warriors
OF the Unami tribe" He then reads The sticks
As he finishes each and lays It aside. liz: tribt
cries, 'HooO!" until all have been read. Then
led by the chief and the six Oshkosh. they march
in line completely around the two nres from
left to right then outside, where they line up fac
ing the east and crv "HOOo!" Il times, which
a'.-.x.. ~. ...o.ao.-