_Omaha_
The people dwelt in a very populous village. Big Turtle joined them.
And people dwelling at another village came regularly to war against
them. Having killed one person they went homeward. Big Turtle cooked
for the warpath. He caused two persons to go after guests. The
servants whom he sent after guests were Redbreasted Turtle and Gray
Squirrel. He made two round bunches of grass and placed them at the
bottom of the stick to which the kettle was fastened.
Now they were coming. They came in sight.
"Ho, warriors!" said Big Turtle. "Warriors, when men are injured, they
always take revenge. I cook this for the warpath. I cook sweet corn
and a buffalo paunch. You will go after Corn Crusher for me," saying
this to his servants. "Call to Comb, Awl, Pestle, Firebrand, and
Buffalo Bladder also," said Big Turtle.
The two men went to call them. They called to Corn Crusher. "Corn
Crusher, be sure to bring your bowl! Corn Crusher, be sure to
bring your bowl! Corn Crusher, be sure to bring your bowl! Corn
Crusher, be sure to bring your bowl!" Four times they called.
They called to Comb. "Comb, be sure to bring your bowl!" So they
called four times.
They called to Awl. "Awl, be sure to bring your bowl!" So they called
four times.
Then they called to Pestle. "Pestle, be sure to bring your bowl!" So
they called four times.
They called to Firebrand, too. "Firebrand, be sure to bring your
bowl!" So they called four times.
Then they called to Buffalo Bladder. "Buffalo Bladder, be sure to
bring your bowl!" So they called four times to him.
Then the criers reached home, having invited the guests.
"Oh, war chief," they said, "all heard it."
All those who were called arrived at the lodge of Big Turtle.
"Ho! Oh, war chiefs! Corn Crusher, Comb, Awl, Pestle, Firebrand, and
Buffalo Bladder, though those people have been injured they do not
seem to stir. Let us go on the warpath for them," said Big Turtle.
"Let us go in four nights."
He commanded Corn Crusher to cook. "O war chief, Corn Crusher, you
will cook. And you, O Comb, will cook on the night after that. And
you, O Awl, will cook, and complete the number."
That many war chiefs, four, cooked. They were war chiefs. The rest
were servants.
The people of the village said, "Why! Of the persons who have been
called, who is cooking for the warpath?"
And one said, "Why! Big Turtle cooked. Pshaw! Has he gathered all
those who cannot move well enough, those who cannot move fast enough?
Pshaw! If the foe find them out, they will destroy them. When a war
chief has sense, he will carry on war."
Corn Crusher cooked. He cooked turnips, and he cooked a buffalo paunch
with them, just as Big Turtle had cooked one with sweet corn. Awl
cooked wild rice. Comb cooked other things.