places of those who had died since the last meeting. Invitations
were sent out in the form of small bundles of tobacco. Two very
large teepees were pitched facing one another, a hundred feet
apart, half open, and connected by a roofless hall or colonnade of
fresh-cut boughs. One of these lodges was for the society giving
the dance and the novices, the other was occupied by the
"soldiers," whose duty it was to distribute the refreshments, and
to keep order among the spectators. They were selected from
among the best and bravest warriors of the tribe.

The preparations being complete, and the members of each lodge
garbed and painted according to their rituals, they entered the
hall separately, in single file, led by their oldest man or "Great
Chief." Standing before the "Soldiers' Lodge," facing the setting
sun, their chief addressed the "Great Mystery" directly in a few
words, after which all extending the right arm horizontally from
the shoulder with open palm, sang a short invocation in unison,
ending with a deep: "E-ho-ho-ho!" This performance, which was
really impressive, was repeated in front of the headquarters
lodge, facing the rising sun, after which each lodge took its
assigned place, and the songs and dances followed in regular order.

The closing ceremony, which was intensely dramatic in its
character, was the initiation of the novices, who had received
their final preparation on the night before. They were now led out
in front of the headquarters lodge and placed in a kneeling
position upon a carpet of rich robes and furs, the men upon the
right hand, stripped and painted black, with a round spot of red
just over the heart, while the women, dressed in their best, were
arranged upon the left. Both sexes wore the hair loose, as