09 



The Pole-gi-ound.— The pole-gi'ound is a leveled spot thirtj^-six yards 

 in length, by six yards in width, laid ofE in a north and south direction. 

 At its center is the base, usually a rock, from which the pole-hoop is 

 rolled and the poles, tAvo in number, are hurled. Nine yards both to the 

 north and also to the south of this base, are three hay ridges, the 

 center ridge being on the north and south center line of the pole-ground. 

 These ridges are three yards long and the distance from the outer edge 

 of the east ridge to the outer edge of the west ridge is five feet. The 

 furrows between the ridges are narrow. It is into one of these fuiTows 

 that the hoop rolls, under which the poles are slid before the points are 

 counted. 



Rolling the Pool-hoop.— In rolling the pole-hoop it is held with rim 

 vertical between thumb and second finger of the right hand, it resting on 

 the extended front finger over which it rolls when sent on its mission of 

 chance. If the hoop, v.hen rolled, fails to enter either of the furrows, a 

 break in the game is declared, and it is brought back and rolled again. 

 On entering one of the furrows, the loose hay retards its speed, and It 

 soon falls, to be slid under by the well guided poles. The hoop is always 

 rolled twice to the south and once to the north, and so on for hours, till 

 the game is finished. 



Hurling the Pole-stick.— The pole-stick, when being hurled, is held so 

 as to slide through the left hand. The propelling power is the right hand, 

 the index finger being placed against the rear end. The pole being dex- 

 teriously hurled, slides into the furrow, and stops with the larger end 

 beneath the hoop. The counting then begins. 



Counting the Points.— All points on each pole that fall on or within the 

 rim of the hoop are counted as are also all points on the hoop-rim, and 

 all the beads on the transverse cord Avhich fall within the edges of either 

 pole. The points being counted, the players again proceed to the base 

 and play again as before. This playing is continued for hours till one of 

 the contestants gets the number of points agreed upon by the players to 

 constitute a game. A transfer of the staked property follows. Then the 

 betting begins for a new game. 



