566 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. ann. 46 



party by the judges. This game is not often played b} 7 large parties 

 of men, or if so it is very warmly contested and very apt to break 

 up in a disturbance. 



We have seen it also played by both men and women joined, a 

 few men aiding two parties of women. This was among the Sioux, 

 but with the other tribes it is generally played by men only. 



Another mode of playing the game is by catching the ball in a 

 network over a small hoop a little larger than the ball attached 

 to the end of a stick. They catch it in this net as it flies through 

 the air, and throw it from one to the other toward either goal. The 

 man who catches can run with the ball toward the limit until he is 

 overtaken by one on the other side, when he throws it as far as he 

 can on its way, which is continued by the others. The women play 

 hand and foot ball, also slide long sticks on the snow, or billiards 

 with flat stones on the ice. We know of no other game at ball 

 worth mentioning being played among them. 



Foot racing is often practiced by the Mandan and Crows. The 

 former nation before they were so much reduced by smallpox had a 

 regular race course 3 miles in length, in which any and all, who 

 chose, could try their speed, which they did by running three times 

 around this space, betting very high on either side. 



They still practice the amusement, but not so much as formerly. 



Racing 



Foot races among the Crow Indians are usually contested by two 

 persons at a time, a bet being taken by those concerned, and many 

 more by the friends and spectators on either side, consisting of 

 blankets, buffalo robes, or some other article of clothing. They 

 mostly run about 300 yards and in starting endeavor to take every 

 advantage of each other, a dozen starts being often made before the 

 race begins. These Indians also run horse races, betting one horse 

 against the other. The same trickery and worse is displayed in 

 their horse races as in their foot races, and often the loser will not 

 pay. The Sioux also have foot races in which any one may join, 

 provided he bets, which, if they have anything to stake, they are sure 

 to do. The name of being a fast and long runner is highly prized 

 among them all; indeed, after being a warrior and hunter that of 

 being a good runner is next to be desired, but the principal aim in 

 all these amusements appears to be the winning of each other's 

 property. They, of course, occupy and enable them to pass agree- 

 ably some of the long summer days, but we never see these things 

 introduced without the bets or prospects of gain, and from this fact, 

 together with the earnestness exhibited in betting, and in the contest, 

 we conclude it to be no more than another mode of gambling, to 

 which they are all so much addicted. 



