The  leader,  who  at  this  time  was  considered  a  personi-
fication of  the  Morning  Star,  took  his  post  to  the  east,
with  his  back  to  the  village,  while  a  second  man  took
his  place  at  the  southeast,  and  was  directed  to  howl
like  a  wolf,  as  soon  as  the  Morning  Star  rose.  As  soon
as  his  call  was  heard,  the  leader  turned  toward  the  vil-
lage, and  the  attack  began  from  all  sides.  The  first
man  to  capture  a  young  woman  touched  her  and  called
out,  "I  pronounce  you  Opirikuts."  As  soon  as  this  was
done,  the  attackers  drew  off  and  started  toward  home.
[27]

MVERSmr  OF  &U1I01S  LffiRABT

JAN  30    l~v


8  Field  Museum  of  Natural  History

The  word  Opirikuts  was  both  a  dedication  and  a
curse.  As  applied  to  the  destined  sacrifice,  it  was  the
former,  and  protected  her  from  any  mistreatment.
From  the  moment  it  was  pronounced  she  was  sacred  to
the  Morning  Star,  and  any  one  touching  her  would
die  as  from  an  infection.  She  was  turned  over  by  her
captor  to  the.  leader  and  the  man  who  had  howled  like
a  wolf,  who  represented  respectively  the  Morning  Star
and  another  star  called  Fools-the-Wolves.  These  men
were  responsible  for  her  until  the  arrival  of  the  party
at  the  home  village.
