_Of their_ GAMES.
AS I have before observed, the Indians are greatly addicted to gaming,
and will even stake, and lose with composure, all the valuables they are
possessed of. They amuse themselves at several sorts of games, but the
principal and most esteemed among them is that of the ball, which is not
unlike the European game of tennis.
The balls they use are rather larger than those made use of at tennis,
and are formed of a piece of deer-skin; which being moistened to render
it supple, is stuffed hard with the hair of the same creature, and sewed
with its sinews. The ball-sticks are about three feet long, at the end
of which there is fixed a kind of racket, resembling the palm of the
hand, and fashioned of thongs cut from a deer-skin. In these they catch
the ball, and throw it to a great distance, if they are not prevented by
some of the opposite party, who fly to intercept it.
This game is generally played by large companies, that sometimes consist
of more than three hundred; and it is not uncommon for different bands
to play against each other.
They begin by fixing two poles in the ground at about six hundred yards
apart, and one of these goals belong to each party of the combatants.
The ball is thrown up high in the centre of the ground, and in a direct
line between the goals; towards which each party endeavours to strike
it, and which ever side first causes it to reach their own goal, reckons
towards the game.
They are so exceeding dextrous in this manly exercise, that the ball is
usually kept flying in different directions by the force of the rackets,
without touching the ground during the whole contention; for they are
not allowed to catch it with their hands. They run with amazing velocity
in pursuit of each other, and when one is on the point of hurling it to
a great distance, an antagonist overtakes him, and by a sudden stroke
dashes down the ball.
They play with so much vehemence that they frequently wound each other,
and sometimes a bone is broken; but notwithstanding these accidents
there never appears to be any spite or wanton exertions of strength to
effect them, nor do any disputes ever happen between the parties.
There is another game also in use among them worthy of remark, and this
is the game of the Bowl or Platter. This game is played between two
persons only. Each person has six or eight little bones not unlike a
peach-stone either in size or shape, except that they are quadrangular;
two of the sides of which are coloured black, and the others white.
These they throw up into the air, from whence they fall into a bowl or
platter placed underneath, and made to spin round.
According as these bones present the white or black side upwards they
reckon the game: he that happens to have the greatest number turn up of
a similar colour, counts five points; and forty is the game.
The winning party keeps his place, and the loser yields his to another
who is appointed by one of the umpires; for a whole village is sometimes
concerned in the party, and at times one band plays against another.
During this play the Indians appear to be greatly agitated, and at every
decisive throw set up a hideous shout. They make a thousand contortions,
addressing themselves at the same time to the bones, and loading with
imprecations the evil spirits that assist their successful antagonists.
At this game some will lose their apparel, all the moveables of their
cabins, and sometimes even their liberty, notwithstanding there are no
people in the universe more jealous of the latter than the Indians are.