an
takes down her seed corn which has by this time sprouted. Then she
proceeds to plant the corn.

Before she plants the first hill, she extends her hoe heavenwards and
asks the Great Spirit to bless her work, that she may have a good yield.
After her prayer she takes four kernels and plants one at the north,
one at the south, one at the east and one at the west sides of the first
hill. This is asking the Great Spirit to give summer rain and sunshine
to bring forth a good crop.

For different growths of the corn, the women have an interpretation as
to the character of the one who planted it.

1st. Where the corn grows in straight rows and the cob is full of
kernels to the end, this signifies that the planter of this corn is of
an exemplary character, and is very truthful and thoughtful.

2nd. If the rows on the ears of corn are irregular and broken, the
planter is considered careless and unthoughtful. Also disorderly and
slovenly about her house and person.

3rd. When an ear of corn bears a few scattering kernels with spaces
producing no corn, it is said that is a good sign that the planter will
live to a ripe old age. So old will they be that like the corn, their
teeth will be few and far between.

4th. When a stalk bears a great many nubbins, or small ears growing
around the large one, it is a sign that the planter is from a large and
respectable family.

After the corn is gathered, it is boiled into sweet corn and made into
hominy; parched and mixed with buffalo tallow and rolled into round
balls, and used at feasts, or carried by the warriors on the warpath as
food.

When there has been a good crop of corn, an ear is always tied at the
top of the medicine pole, of the sun dance, in thanks to the Great
Spirit for his goodness to them in sending a bountiful crop.

STORY OF THE RABBITS

The Rabbit nation were very much depressed in spirits on account of
being run over by all other nations. They, being very obedient to their
chief, obeyed all his orders to the letter. One of his orders was,
that upon the approach of any other nation that they should follow the
example of their chief and run up among the rocks and down into their
burrows, and not show themselves until the strangers had passed.

This they always did. Even the chirp of a little cricket would send them
all scampering to their dens.

One day they held a great council, and after talking over everything for
some time, finally left it