Then the young man led the whole party out to war. As they were going along on the warpath they came to a single white horse, standing ready to ride. "That is my horse," said the young man. "It was given to me by the thunder." He had told his people before starting that they would see a white horse sent down by the thunder.

As they went on, they came in sight of a band of black men. These were the enemies they sought. They charged upon them. The thunder had told the young man that he would never be hit in battle. So he rushed into fight, carrying the medicine bow in his hands, and all the enemies were killed. Then the party returned to the camp. They had gone out to the west. As soon as they came back they went out to the north. Again they met a party of enemies and killed all of them. Then they returned and went out from the camp to the east. Here, again, they destroyed a party of enemies. Then they went out to the south and did likewise.

The medicine bow gave these people the power to win victories, and to capture many horses. It also had the power to prevent them being wounded. After a time all these men died, and then whoever carried the medicine bow would be safe in battle. When a man wished to have a medicine bow, he would make gifts of horses to some good man, who would make the bow for him. No man who owned the medicine bow was ever hurt in battle. None of them were even wounded.

Some Dakota Myths II, p. 205