The ceremonies of the sun dance commence in the evening. I have been under the impression that the time of the full moon was selected, but I am now informed that it is not essential. The singers and players on instruments practice their songs in the night, and there is some dancing. There is also feasting. Before morning the company generally lie down and sleep awhile. The real dance commences when the _Hunkayapi_ makes his appearance. Then the dancers begin and continue without _eating_, _drinking_, or _resting_, until nature is quite exhausted. Some join in the dance as particular friends of the dancer. They may occasionally sit down and smoke, but if the maker of the dance falls down or is observed to be quite exhausted, a friend may step forward and make a valuable present to some one. In this case the dancer may rest awhile and begin again. Some give out entirely before the sun goes down, when the dance is concluded. Others are able to continue into the night. A man who dances to the sun is expected to make a song of his own, which embodies the _god-communication_ to him. SUN DANCE SONGS. MAHIPIYA SUA’S SONG. 1. Hena yuha hibu e: Nazi topa hena yuha oecetiwaya nunwe. TRANSLATION. “_Having these I come_; Having these four souls may I make my camp fires.” He was to take _four scalps_ in battle. 2. Anpetu kin wamiconga, Makatakiya u we. “The day that is determined for me, May it come earthward.” 3. Minagi topa ye do, Hoksidan wakan cicu e do. 4. Wiwanyake toki da he; Nitakoda wanyaka ye. “Wiwanyaki (a bird) where have you gone; Behold your friend.” 5. Anpetu kin wanniyag hi nanwe. “May the day come to see thee.” 6. Wacinhe wakanyan Taninyan wahinawape. With a crown of glory, I come forth. This is the language of the sun as it rises in glory. 7. Mahipiya sua, kode, Mini yain hwo. This is sung by the singers when the man is almost dying of thirst. The brave man pays no attention to it. The following is from the pen of Major General Curtis, dated Fort Sully, June 2, 1866: “The whole of the three thousand Sioux camped about us gave me early information of their design to have the annual sun dance at this time and place, the season of the year—the trees in full leaf—having now arrived, and they wished me to inform Colonel Recor, the commander of the soldiers, that however boisterous their demonstrations might be, they would all be peaceable and of a pious character.