if in mourning or expectation of death. An equal number of grand
medicine-men, each of whom was especially appointed to one of the
novices, faced them at a distance of half the length of the hall,
or perhaps fifty feet.

After silent prayer, each medicine-man in turn addressed
himself to his charge, exhorting him to observe all the rules of
the order under the eye of the Mysterious One, and instructing him
in his duty toward his fellow-man and toward the Ruler of Life.
All then assumed an attitude of superb power and dignity, crouching
slightly as if about to spring forward in a foot-race, and grasping
their medicine bags firmly in both hands. Swinging their
arms forward at the same moment, they uttered their guttural
"Yo-ho-ho-ho!" in perfect unison and with startling effect. In the
midst of a breathless silence, they took a step forward, then
another and another, ending a rod or so from the row of kneeling
victims, with a mighty swing of the sacred bags that would seem to
project all their mystic power into the bodies of the initiates.
Instantly they all fell forward, apparently lifeless.

With this thrilling climax, the drums were vigorously pounded
and the dance began again with energy. After a few turns had been
taken about the prostrate bodies of the new members,
covering them with fine robes and other garments which were later
to be distributed as gifts, they were permitted to come to life and
to join in the final dance. The whole performance was clearly
symbolic of death and resurrection.

While I cannot suppose that this elaborate ritual, with its
use of public and audible prayer, of public exhortation or sermon,