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10 226 of each town or company selected their doctor, cooks, &c. In the morning of this day they raised the national war standard. The night of this fast day was spent in celebrating the war dance. Before day, however, all repeated the morning prayer and repaired to a creek or river where they plunged seven times. Just as day light appeared the war priest scraped a spot of earth and made a fire for sacrifice. He then placed the seven counsellors and his assistant in a semicircle west of the fire, with their faces toward the east to observe the sacrifice. He also himself stood in the same manner, facing the east. He then prayed for instruction and afterward put the meat for sacrifice on the fire.

Now if the fire burnt clearly and consumed the sacrifice, they were to beat their enemies. But if they were to be conquored, then the fire would go out round the meat and not consume it. The sacrifice being over, the priest and prepared a place, perhaps a foot from the ground, on which to sit his Divining stone. First, however, he folded the seven deer skins, in which the stone had been wrapped, and placed them on the platform, and set the stone on them. This was done a little after sun rise, that the sun might shine on the stone. The priest on placing the stone on the deer skins, went backward a few steps and commenced praying. Holding his hands low near the ground having a bead between each thumb and fore finger, he prayed to the first heaven. Then raising his hands a little, prayed to the second heaven and so on, raising his hands to the seventh heaven. Now if they were to beat down their enemies before them, the priest would discover blood flowing from near the centre to the left side of the stone; but if they were many of them to be killed by the enemy, the blood would be seen flowing in the right side of the stone. But though appearances should be against them yet having gone so far in the business, they would seldom turn back. The war priest then wrapped his stone in the seven deer skins, and delivered it to his assistant to bear before him, which he should follow with the holy fire.
The warriors now taking their provision, their weapons etc, prepared for marching. The speaker ska li lo ske, then taking his war club, and waving it in the air addressed the army in a manner calculated to inspire them with courage and confidence in god, telling them that if they will only put trust in god He will defend and help them. On concluding his speech he have orders to march. This was the speaker of the great chief, or generalissimo of the whole army. Having marched a short distance the great chief and the flag carrier, who marched next him, raised the war whoop and commenced the war song, in which the army immediately joined. + also women to prepare food for the army. Each town furnishing them unclear