CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 721 



both bands, slightly shaken, and then with a jerk, the beans are tossed 

 in tlie air. If all turn black, two are taken from the counters; if all 

 turn white, three are taken. If but one turns up white, one is taken 

 from tbe twelve. When they turn five white, one only is taken. The 

 game is played three or six times weekly. Whoever gets twelve beans 

 has the game. 



1 )ELAWARE. 



See account bj" Loskiel on page 725. 



Huron. Ontario, Canada. 

 Charlevoix^ gives the following account: 



As I returned through a ([uarter of the Huron village I saw a company of these 

 savages, Avho appeared very eager at play. I drew near and saw they were playing 

 at the, game of the dish (Jen dii plat). This is the game of which these people are 

 fondest. At this they sometimes lose their rest, and in some measure their reason. 

 At this game they hazard all they possess, and many do not leave oft" till they are 

 almost stripped quite naked and till they have lost all they have in their cabins. 

 Some have been known to stake their liberty for a time, which fully proves their 

 passiou for this game ; for there are no men in the world more jealous of their liberty 

 than the savages. 



The game of the dish, which they also call the game of the little bones (jeii dcs 

 osselefs), is only played by two persons. Each has six or eight little bones, which 

 at first I took for apricot-stones; they are of that shape and bigness. But upon 

 viewing them closely I perceived they had six unequalsurfaces, the two principal of 

 wliicli are painted, one black and the other white, inclined to yellow. They make 

 them jump up by striking the ground or the table with a round and hollow dish, 

 which contaius them and which they twirl round first. When they have no dish 

 they throw the bones up in the air with their hands; if in falling they come all of 

 one color, he who plays wins five. The game is forty up, and they subtract the 

 numbers gained by the adverse party. Five bones of the same color wiu but one for 

 the first time, but the second time they win the game. A less number wins nothing. 



He that wins the game continues playing. The loser gives his place to another, 

 who is named by the markers of his side ; for they make the parties at first, and 

 often the whole village is concerned in the game. Oftentimes also one village plays 

 against another. Each party chooses a marker; but he withdraws when he pleases, 

 which never happens but when his party loses. At every throw, especially if it 

 happens to l)e decisive, they make great shouts. The players appear like people 

 possessed, and the spectators are not more calm. They all make a thousand contor- 

 tions, talk to the bones, load the spirits of the adverse party with imprecations, and 

 the whole village echoes with liowlings. If all this does not recover their luck, the 

 losers may put oft' the party to the next day. It costs them only a small treat to the 

 company. Then they prepare to return to the engagement. Each invokes his genius, 

 and throws some tobacco in the fire to his honor. They ask him above all things 

 for lucky dreams. As soon as day appears they go again to play; but if the losers 

 fancy the goods in their cabins made them unlucky the first thing they do is to 

 chang(^ them all. The great parties commonly last five or six days, and often con- 

 tinue all night. In the meantime, as all the persons present, at least those who are 

 concerned in tlie game, are in agitation that deprives them of reason, as they quar- 

 rel and fight, which never happens among savages but on these occasions and in 

 drunkenness, one may judgfe if when they have done playing they do not want rest. 



I P. do Charlevoix, Journal d'un Voyage dans I'Amerique Septeutriouuale, Paris, 

 1744, III, p. 2.59 (Juin, 1721). 

 HAT MUS DO 40 



