DENSMORE] CHIPPEWA MUSIC II 211 



time his wife appeared to him and told him that somewhere in the woods were hidden 

 four bullets, which would bring him success in the moccasin game, and that he must 

 let them lie in the water before using them. Then the man began his search for the 

 bullets. He had no further clew to their whereabouts, but he searched constantly, 

 wandering in the woods day after day. At last he found four bullets and, as he had 

 been directed, placed them in the water at the edge of the lake. He then announced 

 that in a certain number of days he would have a moccasin game . By using the bullets 

 which had been in the water he won everything and thereafter was always successful. 



With this incident began the custom of soaking the bullets. Many 

 players do, so now, believing this procedure will bring them success in 

 the game. 



It was stated that another successful player had a dream in which 

 he saw a row of moccasins and that as he took them up, one after 

 another, he found a piece of money under each. This dream gave him 

 confidence in his playing of the game. 



Two men may play the game, but the contestants are usually four 

 men, two playing as partners against the others. Each side in turn 

 hides four bullets under as many moccasins laid in a row on a blanket 

 (pis. 27, 28) ; one of the bullets is marked. Skill in the game consists 

 in placing the marked bullet in such a manner that it can not be readily 

 located by the opposing players. 



Other implements of the game are 20 counting-sticks, each about 

 9 inches long, and one slender striking-stick, about 36 inches long. 

 The writer has seen a set of moccasin game bullets made of solid 

 steel, which were very heavy. Such a set is valued at one blanket. 

 In addition to the bullets wliich are hidden, it is customary for the 

 guessing side to use four bullets in indicating its guess, as explained 

 below. The qualities required in playing the game are self-control 

 and keenness of observation; the prize is given to liim who conceals, 

 not to him who tliscovers. The side which hides the bullets is the 

 side which scores. 



There are many involuntary signs which may indicate the placing 

 of the marked bullet, and the mannerisms of various players are 

 closely studied. Some affect many gesticulations and hide the 

 bullets with great rapidity; with others a slight motion of the head, 

 a change of facial expression, a slower or a more rapid motion of the 

 right hand may accompany the hiding of the marked bullet. It is 

 said that some players allow it to slip between the fingers when 

 placing it beneath the moccasin. Ki'ose'wini'ni ("good hunter"), a- 

 successful player of the game, said that he always "watched the 

 chest of the man who hid the bullets," as a player who could control 

 every other muscle would often hold liis breath for an instant when 

 he placed the marked bullet. He said further that some players 

 looked at the moccasin under which they had hidden the bullet, and 

 that others as systematically looked at some other moccasin. Still 

 others always hold the marked bullet in a certain part of the hand, 



