This is the favorite game of the Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri,
with the exception of the Sioux. It is played by sides, each choosing a
champion, and they in turn selecting their players alternately,
according to their merits. The ground on which they play in summer is
near the village; and is a clay-covered space which from constant use
has become hard like pavement.
The scene of the accompanying sketch is laid in winter, when the game is
played on the ice or frozen snow. It is begun by two of the players, one
from each side, running abreast of one another, and rolling in advance a
ring, which is cut out of stone, and is from two to four inches in
diameter. The players follow it up with their tchungkees, spears or
sticks about six feet long, with little projections of leather an inch
and a half in length placed at intervals on the sides. These implements
they throw before them as they run, sliding them along the ground beside
the ring, and endeavoring to place the stick in such a position that the
ring will fall upon it when it stops rolling, receiving one of the
leather projections through it. They count for game one, two, or three,
etc., from the point, according to the number on which it has fallen.
The winner rolls in the next run, and the loser is counted out, while
another from his side takes his place.
Thus the game proceeds until the sides have had their innings, the
largest count being the game. They sometimes become so excited that they
bet away everything they possess, and have even been known to sell
themselves into slavery for a given period.
The game of tchungkee originated with the Mandans, a race now almost
extinct. Prince Maximilian, in his travels among the North American
Indians, called them the "gentlemen of the plains," from their courteous
manners and gallantry to strangers.
[Illustration: MR. BARNUM'S GREAT SHOW IN WINTER-QUARTERS.]