ut an instant end
to all their fears."

It was long, however, before the rain-maker could be persuaded to come
forward, or to listen to the assurance that his medicine had nothing
whatever to do with the arrival of the ship. Unwilling to lose the fame
of having produced such a phenomenon, he continued to assert that he knew
of its coming, and by his magic had caused it to approach. But he was
little regarded in the universal bustle and gossip which was going on
respecting the mysteries of the "thunder-boat."

Meanwhile the day passed on, and towards evening a cloud began to rise
above the horizon. Wak-a-dah-ha-hee no sooner observed this, than, with
shield on his arm and bow in hand, he was again upon the lodge.
"Stiffened and braced to the last sinew, he stood with his face and his
shield presented to the cloud, and his bow drawn. He drew the eyes of
the whole village upon him, as he vaunted forth his superhuman powers;
and at the same time commanded the cloud to come nearer, that he might
draw down its contents upon their heads and the corn-fields of the
Mandans. In this wise he stood, waving his shield over his head,
stamping his foot, and frowning as he drew his bow and threatened the
heavens, commanding it to rain--his bow was bent, and the arrow drawn to
its head, was sent to the cloud, {210} and he exclaimed, 'My friends, it
is done! Wak-a-dah-ha-hee's arrow has entered that black cloud, and the
Mandans will be wet with the water of the skies!' His predictions were
true--in a few moments the cloud was over the village, and the rain fell
in torrents. He stood for some time wielding his weapons, and boasting
of the efficacy of his _medicine_ to those who had been about him, but
were now driven to the shelter of their wigwams; and descended from his
high place (in which he had been perfectly drenched) prepared to receive
the honours and homage that were due to one so potent in his mysteries;
and to receive the style and title of _medicine-man_." Catlin further
informs us, that when the Mandans undertake to make it rain, they always
succeed, for their ceremonies never stop until rain begins to fall: and
also, that he who has once made it rain never attempts it again; his
medicine is undoubted--and on future occasions of the kind he stands
aloof, giving an opportunity to other young men who are ambitious to
signalize themselves in the same way.

A superstition similar to that of the Mandans prevails also am