swift chase they overtake the eagle-men, seize the food, and devour it.
This rude frolic is repeated several times a day, the performers being summoned
by the master of the ceremonies, who, followed by his assistants, issues from the
medicine-lodge, and takes up his post against the Big Canoe, pouring forth many
tears.
On the first day the dance is four times repeated, on the second eight times, on
the third twelve times, and on the fourth sixteen; the dancers issuing from the hut
in which they attire themselves immediately that the old man lifts up his head,
and weeps.
During each performance, the old medicine-men keep up a rattle of drums,
except when they pause to announce to the crowd that the Great Spirit is pleased
with their offerings, and has given them peace; that even their women and
children can hold the mouths of grizzly bears, and the Evil One does not appear
to disturb them.
This bold declaration is repeated thirty-two times during the four days, and
repeated without challenge; but at the thirty-third, the Evil Spirit makes his
appearance, threads his way through the village, and breaks into the circle,—an
uncanny creature, entirely naked, his body painted black, but with white rings,
and his mouth blotched with white indentations like so many tusks. Carrying in
his hand a long magic staff tipped with a red ball, which he slides before him on
the ground, this Evil Spirit makes a rush at each group of females in the excited
crowd. They shriek for assistance.
The master of the ceremonies straightway abandons his station by the Big
Canoe, and presents his magic pipe to the intruder, who stands immediately as if
petrified into stone, each limb quiescent, each muscle rigid,—a statue, rather
than a man.
The women take advantage of this sudden pause to escape from the Evil Spirit’s
clutch; and as soon as they are out of danger, though their hearts still beat with
excitement, they resume their ordinary quietude, only laughing loudly and
gleefully at the sudden discomfiture of their antagonist, and at the awkward and
ridiculous attitude in which he was surprised.
The old man stands upright by his side, with his eyeballs glaring him in the face,
while the medicine-pipe holds under its mystic spell his Satanic Majesty,
neutralises all the powers of his magic wand, and deprives him of the power of