OP LOS ANGELES CO., CALIFORNIA. 17 



should turn into stones, which was likewise rejected, be- 

 cause they would be trod upon. The third wanted them 

 to turn into trees ; rejected, as their husbands would use 

 them for firewood ; and so on until it came to the turn of 

 the youngest, who proposed they should change them- 

 selves into stars ; an objection was made on the ground 

 that their husbands would always see them, which was at 

 length overruled from the circumstance of being out of 

 reach. They accordingly went to the lagoon where they 

 procured flagroots, and making an engine (flying concern) 

 out of reeds, they ascended to the sky and located them- 

 selves as the seven stars. 



Only the youngest brother appeared to be vexed at the 

 loss of his wife, and sought her daily. One day, having 

 wandered to the edge of the lagoon, his wife had compas- 

 sion on him and spoke, directing his attention to the ma- 

 chine they had made, telling him to ascend. He did so, 

 but not wishing him in their immediate vicinity, he was 

 placed a little way off. 



A song survives, having reference to the seven stars. 



LETTER XI. 



Sports and Games. 



Few games, and of a gambling nature. The principal 

 one was called churchurki (or peon, Spanish). It con- 

 sists in guessing in which hand a small piece of stick was 

 held concealed, by one of the four persons who composed 

 a side who sat opposite to each other. They had their 

 singers who were paid by the victorious party at the end 

 of the game. Fifteen pieces of stick were laid on each 

 side, as counters, and a person named as umpire, who, 

 besides keeping account, settled the debts and prevented 

 cheating, and held the stakes. Each person had two 

 pieces of wood, one black and one white. The white 



ESSEX INST. BULLETIN, VOL. XVII. 3 



