118 INDIAN GAMES. 



method of indicating the bets is stated as follows: "he 

 (meaning apparently the one who has bet) is also obliged 

 to make two other heaps. In one he will place five, in the 

 other seven straws, with as many (grains) counters as he 

 pleases." These phrases may fairly be interpreted to mean 

 that a record of the bets, somewhat of the same style as 

 that kept with counters upon a faro table, was constantly 

 before the players. Complicated rules determined when 

 the players won or lost ; when the bets were to be doubled 

 and when they were to abide the chance of another count. 

 The loser at the game, even after all that he had with him 

 was gone, was sometimes permitted to continue the game 

 on his promise to pay. If ill luck still pursued him the 

 winner could refuse him credit and decline to play for 

 stakes that he could not see. 



The game often lasted for several days, one after an- 

 other of the sides relieving his comrades at the play until 

 one of the two sides had lost everything, it being, says 

 Perrot, 70 " a maxim of the savages not to quit play until 

 one side or the other had lost everything." Those who 

 had bet at the game had the right to substitute any person 

 whom they pleased to play for them. "Should any dis- 

 pute arise on this point," says Perrot, "between the 

 winners and the losers, the disputants backed by their re- 

 spective sides would probably come to blows, blood would 

 be shed and the whole thing would be very difficult to 

 settle." Cheating often took place at this game. Its ex- 

 posure was considered praiseworthy and its practice de- 

 nounced. If doubts were expressed as to the accuracy of 

 a count, the matter was peacefully adjusted by a re-count 

 by two of the spectators. 



" This game of straw," says Perrot, from whose ac- 



'<> p. 49. 



