IN THE OLD WEST 169 



kinnik being produced, it was proposed to pass 

 away the early part of the night in a game of 

 " hand." They accordingly sat down beside the 

 spring and commenced the game. 



Fortune favored the Crow. He won arrow 

 after arrow from the Burnt-wood brave ; then his 

 bow, his club, his knife, his robe, all followed, and 

 the Sioux sat naked on the plain. Still he pro- 

 posed another stake against the other's winnings 

 — his scalp. He played and lost ; and bending 

 forward his head, the Crow warrior drew his knife 

 and quickly removed the bleeding prize. With- 

 out a murmur the luckless Sioux rose to depart, 

 but first exacted a promise from his antagonist 

 that he would meet him once more at the same 

 spot, and engage in another trial of skill. 



On the day appointed, the Burnt-wood sought 

 the spot, with a new equipment, and again the 

 Crow made his appearance, and they sat down to 

 play. This time fortune changed sides ; the 

 Sioux won back his former losses, and in his turn 

 the Crow was stripped to his skin. 



Scalp against scalp was now the stake, and this 

 time the Crow submitted his head to the victo- 

 rious Burnt-wood's knife; and both the warriors 

 stood scalpless on the plain. 



And now the Crow had but one single stake of 

 value to offer, and the offer of it he did not hesi- 

 tate to make. He staked his life against the 

 other's winnings. They played; and fortune still 



