FRACHTENBEEG] ALSEA TEXTS AND MYTHS 199 



started by all. First the two chiefs would bet (against) each other. 

 "Thou shalt win off me five times," kept on saying one (of the chiefs). 

 "Similarly, (of) such a (value) shall be my bet." 



Now all the people were assembled in abody. (On) one side (there) 

 would be ten and one players, and likewise thus (on) the other side 

 (there) would be ten and one (players). Then theshmny ball would 

 be put on the ground. It was not going to be long before shinny 

 playing would be done by all. Then the two chiefs of the shinny 

 players would begin to talk. "Thou shalt watch thy people well. 

 The people shall not strike one another." Thus one of their chiefs 

 would say. Now all the people would talk thus: "We will not strike 

 one another. You shall only hit the shinny ball. We will play care- 

 fully; we will not fight; no person will be often pushed." At last the 

 ball would be placed on the ground. If any (of the players) was hit 

 very hard, he was usually given blood money. All (the players) were 

 usually fast people. (The shmny players would usually) stand on 

 both sides (of the ball). 



Now not long (afterward) the shmny ball would be uncovered. All 

 (the players) would stand (arranged in two groups). Now (the ball) 

 would be pursued. It would be followed aU over (the field). (It 

 would be hit back and forth, so that) it would not go far anywhere. 

 Those that did the hittmg would usually watch one another carefully. 

 Now (the ball) is again shoved back (with a club). The number of 

 the people was (usually) great. Now shimiy playmg is done by all. 

 AU are simply (good) runners. They would not run after one another 

 for a long time, when the ball would be finally picked up. Now those 

 who are coachmg one another would stand (together) m a body. And 

 not long (afterward) a tally would be made. 



Then all (the players) would go back in a body where the shmny 

 ball was (again) placed on the ground. Now their two chiefs would 

 begin to talk. "You shaU not strike one another, children." And 

 then (the other) one of their chiefs would say: "Yes, such is likewise 

 my opinion. You shall pay strict attention to (the game)." Then 

 the ball would be declared free, whereupon it would be pursued every- 

 where. Everybody is trying to hit (the baU) himself. Their chiefs 

 would warn (them): "You shall watch it carefully. You shaU not 

 stand behind your opponents. You shall just stand together." Then 

 the baU would come near. (The players) are trying to hit it them- 

 selves and are likewise encouragmg one another, "You shall always 

 watch your opponents well." Now the ball would be followed all 

 over (the field). The shmny players would be encouraging one an- 

 other, "Do you shove it!" Thus the shmny players are encouraging 

 one another. The baU is all the time followed everywhere. The 



'■ mEhimh- reduplicated form of mEh- to strike. 



hii- TO SCORE. TO T.VLLY. 



' The plural form si'qul- should have been used here. 



