his was offered that the song-priest might have his
prayers passed straight over the line of song. This offering secures the
presence of this most valued god and so fills the mind of the song-priest
with song and prayer that it comes forth without hesitation and without
thought, so that he may never have to think for his words. A small
quantity of each variety of sand used in decorating was placed on a husk
with a little tobacco, and on these a pinch of corn pollen; the tube was
then laid on the husk and the string and feathers carefully placed. Two
additional feathers, the under tail of the eagle and turkey, were laid on
the husk. A blue feather was dipped in water, then in pollen, and rubbed
twice over these feathers; an attendant folded the parcel and the
song-priest received it and touched it to the soles of the feet, knees,
palms, breast, and back and mouth of the invalid; he then put a pinch of
the pollen into the invalid's mouth, and a pinch on the top of the head;
he placed the folded husk in the invalid's hand, and stood in front of him
and whispered a long prayer which the invalid repeated after him. The
manner of holding the husk has been previously described. The man with
painted face received the husk from the theurgist, who returned to his
seat and at once opened the chant with the rattle. At the close of the
chant the holder of the husk touched the soles of the feet, palms, etc.,
of the invalid with it and left the lodge. This precious parcel was taken
three miles distant and deposited in a canyon near a spring where there is
a luxuriant growth of reeds. Prayers were offered by the depositor for
health, rain, food, and good fortune to all. Only the theurgist and his
attendants and a few of the near relatives of the invalid were present at
this ceremony.

[Illustration]

SECOND CEREMONY.

The sweat-house priest preceded the invalid and song-priest, the latter
carrying his medicine basket, wands, etc. The hot stones and pine boughs
were put into the sweat house; meal was sprinkled around the west base and
the wands deposited, as before described, by the song-priest. Three white
and black striped blankets were placed over the entrance, one upon the
other, and upon these were a buckskin and several folds of white muslin.
An attendant brought a large medicine bowl half filled with pine needles;
water was poured upon these; a small earthen bowl and a gourd containing
wate