hilarity and fun. Old and young danced with vigor, and great was the
delight of the tribe as it spun around the emblematic tree, carrying
branches. At the close of the dance all tossed the branches at the foot of
the pole, leaving a mound of green on the widespreading plain.

If boys and girls take part, as they should, in this ceremony, let the
girls form the inner circle and the boys the outer circle as they dance
about the tree in true Omaha fashion.

In real Indian life every vocation has its accompaniment of song, no matter
how homely may be the employment. So, keeping faith with that ancient
American custom, let the camp be put in order after the ceremony while all
sing the following song, which may be called the Clearing Up:

Song No. 5

THE CLEARING UP

[Music:
Now is our dancing ended,
Light are our hearts as our footsteps
Turn at our leaders' bidding.
Safely we gather together
Branches that served our playtime,
Setting our camp all in order
Ere to our tents we betake us.]

This scene, in which all should take part, can be made merry as well as
useful.