beams, against which rested
poles thickly set at an angle of about 20 deg., while other poles were placed
horizontally across the beams forming a support for the covering. The
poles around the sides were planted more in an oval than a circle and
formed an interior space of about 35 by 30 feet in diameter. On the east
side of the lodge was an entrance supported by stakes and closed with a
buffalo robe, and the whole structure was then thickly covered first with
boughs, then with sand, giving it the appearance of a small earth mound.

[Illustration: Figure 116]

FIG. 116. Interior lodge.

FIRST DAY.

PERSONATORS OF THE GODS.

The theurgist or song-priest arrived at noon on the 12th of October, 1885.
Almost immediately after his arrival we boldly entered the medicine lodge,
accompanied by our interpreter, Navajo John, and pleaded our cause. The
stipulation of the medicine man was that we should make no mistakes and
thereby offend the gods, and to avoid mistakes we must hear all of his
songs and see all of his medicines, and he at once ordered some youths to
prepare a place for our tent near the lodge. During the afternoon of the
12th those who were to take part in the ceremonial received orders and
instructions from the song-priest. One man went to collect twigs with
which to make twelve rings, each 6 inches in diameter. These rings
represented gaming rings, which are not only used by the Navajo, but are
thought highly of by the genii of the rocks. (See Fig. 117.) Another man
gathered willows with which to make the emblem of the concentration of the
four winds. The square was made by dressed willows crossed and left
projecting at the corners each one inch beyond the next. The corners were
tied together with white cotton cord, and each corner was ornamented with
the under tail feather of the eagle. These articles were laid in a niche
behind the theurgist, whose permanent seat was on the west side of the
lodge facing east. The night ceremony commenced shortly after dark. All
those who were to participate were immediate friends and relatives of the
invalid excepting the theurgist or song-priest, he being the only one who
received direct compensation for his professional services. The cost of
such a ceremony is no inconsiderable item. Not only the exorbitant fee of
the theurgist must be paid, but the entire assemblage must be fed during
the nine days' ceremon