smart as the raven? None. The raven's eyes are
sharp, his wings are strong. He is a great hunter and never hungry.
Far off on the prairie he sees his food, or if it is deep hidden in
the forest it does not escape him. This is our song and our dance."
When he had finished singing and dancing he placed the stick in
the sack and gave it to the man and said, "Take it with you,
and when you have returned to your people you shall say, 'Now
there are already the Bulls, and he who is the Raven chief
said, "There shall be more. There shall be the All Friends
([=I]k[)u]n-[)u]h'-k[=a]h-ts[)i]), so that the people may live,
and of the All Friends shall be the Raven Bearers."' You shall
call a council of the chiefs and wise old men, and they shall
choose the persons who are to belong to the society. Teach them
the song and the dance, and give them the medicine. It shall be
theirs forever."
Soon they heard another person shouting out the feast call, and,
going, they entered the lodge of the chief of the Kit-Foxes
(S[)i]n'-o-pah). Here, too, old men had gathered. After they had
eaten of the food set before them, the chief said, "Those among whom
you have just come are generous. They do not look carefully at the
things they have, but give to the stranger and pity the poor. The
kit-fox is a little animal, but what one is smarter? None. His hair
is like the dead grass of the prairie; his eyes are keen; his feet
make no noise when he walks; his brain is cunning. His ears receive
the far-off sound. Here is our medicine. Take it." He gave the man
the stick. It was long, crooked at one end, wound with fur, and tied
here and there with eagle feathers. At the end was a kit-fox skin.
Again the chief spoke and said, "Listen to our song. Do not forget
it, and the dance, too, you must remember. When you reach home teach
them to the people." He sang and danced. Then presently his guests
departed.
Again they heard the feast shout, and he who called was the chief
of the Bear society. After they had eaten and smoked the chief said,
"What is your opinion, friend Wolf? Shall we give our new friend a
present?"
"It shall be as you say," replied the Wolf. "It is yours to give."
Then spoke the Bear, saying, "There are many animals and some of
them are powerful; but the bear is the strongest and greatest of
all. He fears nothing and is always ready to fight."
Then he put on a necklace of bear claws, a band of bear fur about
his head, and a b
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