ial at the expense of the invalid, assisted by his
near relatives.

[Illustration: Figure 117]

FIG. 117. Gaming ring.

A bright fire burned in the lodge, and shortly after dark the invalid
appeared and sat upon a blanket, which was placed in front of the
song-priest. Previously, however, three men had prepared themselves to
personate the gods--Hasjelti, Hostjoghon, and Hostjobokon--and one to
personate the goddess, Hostjoboard. They left the lodge, carrying their
masks in their hands, went a short distance away and put on their masks.
Then Hasjelti and Hostjoghon returned to the lodge, and Hasjelti, amid
hoots, "hu-hoo-hu-huh!" placed the square which he carried over the
invalid's head, and Hostjoghon shook two eagle wands, one in each hand, on
each side of the invalid's head and body, then over his head, meanwhile
hooting in his peculiar way, "hu-u-u-u-uh!" He then followed Hasjelti out
of the lodge. The men representing Hostjobokon and Hostjoboard came in
alternately. Hostjobokon took one of the rings which had been made during
the afternoon, and now lay upon the blanket to the right of the invalid,
and placed it against the soles of the feet of the invalid, who was
sitting with knees drawn up, and then against his knees, palms, breast,
each scapula, and top of his head; then over his mouth. While touching the
different parts of the body the ring was held with both hands, but when
placed to the mouth of the invalid it was taken in the left hand. The ring
was made of a reed, the ends of which were secured by a long string
wrapped over the ring like a slipnoose. When the ring was placed over the
mouth of the invalid the string was pulled and the ring dropped and rolled
out of the lodge, the long tail of white cotton yarn, with eagle plume
attached to the end, extending far behind. Hoslgoboard repeated this
ceremony with a second ring, and so did Hostjobokon and Hostjoboard
alternately, until the twelve rings were disposed of. Three of the rings
were afterward taken to the east, three to the south, three to the west,
and three to the north, and deposited at the base of pinon trees. The
rings were placed over the invalid's mouth to give him strength, cause him
to talk with one tongue, and to have a good mind and heart. The other
portions of the body were touched with them for physical benefit. When the
rings had all been rolled out of the lodge Hasjelti entered, followed b