He had to prophesy where the enemy, was to be found, and about their number; and besides, he had to charm the spirits of their enemies, that they might be unable to contend with the Dahcotahs.

The spirits on this occasion took the form of a bear.
About nine o'clock at night this ceremony commences.

The warriors all lie down as if asleep, when the war chief signifies the approach of the spirits to his men, by the earnestness of his exertions in singing.
The song continues, and increases in energy as the spirit gets nearer to the hole in the ground, which the chief dug and filled with water, previous to commencing his song.

Near this hole he placed a hoop, against which are laid all the war implements of the chief.

Before the song commences the warriors sit and look steadfastly at their leader.
But when the spirit approaches this hole, the warriors hardly dare breathe, for fear of frightening it away.
At last the spirit gets close to the hole.