340 THE MASSACRE. [1763, June. 



tribes. At either extremity of the ground, a tall 

 post was planted, marking the stations of the rival 

 parties. The object of each was to defend its own 

 post, and drive the ball to that of its adversary. 

 Hundreds of lithe and agile figures were leaping 

 and bounding upon the plain. Each was nearly 

 naked, his loose black hau' flying in the wind, and 

 each bore in his hand a bat of a form peculiar to 

 this game. At one moment the whole were crowded 

 together, a dense throng of combatants, all strug- 

 gling for the ball ; at the next, they were scattered 

 again, and running over the ground like hounds 

 in full cry. Each, in his excitement, yelled and 

 shouted at the height of his voice. Rushing and 

 striking, tripping their adversaries, or hurling them 

 to the ground, they pursued the animating contest 

 amid the laughter and applause of the spectators. 

 Suddenly, from the midst of the multitude, the ball 

 soared into the air, and, descending in a wide 

 curve, fell near the pickets of the fort. This was 

 no chance stroke. It was part of a preconcerted 

 stratagem to insure the surprise and destruction of 

 the garrison. As if in pursuit of the ball, the 

 players turned and came rushing, a maddened and 

 tumultuous throng, towards the gate. In* a moment 

 they had reached it. The amazed English had no 

 time to think or act. The shrill cries of the ball- 

 players were changed to the ferocious war-whoop. 

 The warriors snatched from the squaws the hatch- 

 ets, which the latter, with this design, had concealed 

 beneath their blankets. Some of the Indians as- 

 sailed the spectators without, while others rushed 



