SPEAK THROWING 211 



some vessel. This cat was a great pet, and they called 

 him buss, probably meaning puss. 



We had a great time learning their language ; and, 

 at first, had to write every word on a piece of paper, 

 and turn to it frequently. The common names of 

 objects were the first words we learned, and then 

 verbs and adverbs. We found the language very 

 simple : one word often standing for several things ; 

 and, as in English, a good many words that sound 

 much alike mean very different things. 



They have only two names for numbers, "egow" 

 and " abooty," meaning one and two ; and, if they wish 

 to count several, they use their fingers and toes, or 

 make notches on a stick. 



After our work for the day was done, we would sit 

 in front of our house and watch the games of the vil- 

 lagers. They had wrestling, sham battles, spear throw- 

 ing, and games played with round nuts, which they 

 rolled on the ground. 



The spear throwing was very interesting ; and the 

 chiefs brother was a good marksman, besides being 

 expert at defending himself with a spear-proof shield. 

 He would stand with the shield on his arm, and, no 

 matter how thick and fast the spears came, he would 

 stop or dodge them all. In the sham battles, they used 

 harmless reeds instead of spears ; and the shouting and 

 laughter, at such times, were almost deafening. Each 

 side pretended to be in sober earnest, and charged and 



