rament.
He cuts the long supple willow withes that grow on the banks of the
stream, enters the sharpened end into the soil, bends and ties the
feathery tops into an arch; over the arches thus made he throws his
blankets; meanwhile, gathered stones have been heated in the burning fire.
These stones glowing white with heat are placed in a tiny pit underneath
the covering of this booth, now to be called his sweat bath. First one
stone until four have been counted are placed by the attendant in the pit,
and then the fiery pile is thrown in promiscuous fashion on the heap. The
Indians enter the closed covering, the ceremonial pipe is smoked, a gourd
of cold water is handed to each; they then disrobe, the attending priest
lowering the blanket over the entrance. Cold water is then poured over
the heated stones, filling the enclosure with steam. In silence they
commune with the Great Mystery until one of their number is blessed with a
vision; then a call is made and the attendant lifts the blanket, almost
immediately lowering it again. This action is repeated until the vision
has been vouchsafed four times, when they all come forth and plunge into
the river. These sweat baths are always located on the banks of a flowing
stream. The Indian sees in every ripple of the flashing water that comes
to meet him a shining token of the medicine he has seen in his vision.
They then repair to the wigwam and listen in solemn silence to the
chanting cadences of the Indian who has been favoured.

[The Voice of the Water Spirits]

The Voice of the Water Spirits

The curling smoke from the long-stemmed pipe breathes forth the fumes of
war or the pale quiet of peace. With his pipe he pacifies the elements.
On festal occasions, or when the camp rejoices at the joys of harvest, the
priest smokes his pipe, blowing the smoke first to the earth, then to the
sky, to the north, the south, the east, and the west, in token of
gratitude for the favour of the gods. With the pipe the Indian also seals
his councils.

[Trail of the Death Spirit]

Trail of the Death Spirit

The Indian buries his dead upon some high elevation, because it is a
nearer approach to the spirit world. They bury on scaffolds and in trees
that in some mute, sorrowful way they may still hold communion with their
loved and their lost. At the grave they go to the four points of th