ii'JiiMAN] THE BALL PLAY 129 



their respective goals, while the heaviest in weight scatter across the field between 

 the starting point and the goals. 



The ball is tossed into the air in the center of the field. As soon as it descends it 

 is caught with the hall stick by one of the players, when he immediately sets out at 

 full speed toward the opposite goal. If too closely pursued, or if intercepted by an 

 opponent, he throws the ball in the direction of one of his own side, who takes up 

 the race. 



Tlic usual method of depriving a player of the ball is to strike the handle of the 

 ball stick so as to dislodge the ball; but this is frequently a difficult matter on 

 account of a peculiar horizontal motion of the ball stick maintained by the runner. 

 Frequently the ball carrier is disabled by being struck across the arm or leg, thus 

 compelling his retirement. Severe injuries occur only when playing for high stakes 

 or when ill-feeling exists between some of the players. 



Should the ball carrier of one side reach the opposite goal, it is necessary for him 

 to throw the ball so that it touches the post. This is always a difficult matter, 

 because, even if the ball be well directed, one of the numerous players surrounding 

 .the post as guards may intercept it and throw it back into the field. In this manner 

 a single inning may be continued for an hour or more. The game may come to a close 

 at the end of any inning by mutual agreement of the players, that side winning the 

 greater number of scores being declared the victor. 



During the intervals of rest the players approach the place of the 

 presents and smoke. The giver of the game also awards to the suc- 

 cessful players a part of the presents, the whole quantity beiug divided 

 into four portions, so that equal portions are distributed at each of the 

 intervals. 



The players frequently hang to the belt the tail of a deer, an antelope, 

 or some other fleet animal, or the wiugs of swift-flying birds, with the 

 idea that through these they are endowed with the swiftness of the 

 animal. There are, however, no special preparations preceding a game, 

 as feasting or fasting, dancing, etc. — additional evidence that the game 

 is not so highly regarded among the Ojibwa tribe. To continue (lie 

 quotation — 



The game played by the Dakota Indians of the upper Missouri was probably 

 learned from the Ojibwa, as these two tribes have been upon amicable terms for 

 many years; the ball sticks are identical in construction, and the game is played in 

 the same manner. Sometimes, however, the goals at either end of the ground con- 

 sist of two heaps of blankets about 20 feet apart, between which the ball is 

 passed. 



When the Dakota play a game the village is equally divided into sides. A player 

 offers as a wager some article of clothing, a robe, or a blanket, when an opponent 

 lays down an object of equal value. This parcel is laid aside, and the next two 

 deposit their stakes, and so on until all have concluded. The game then begins, two 

 of the three innings deciding the issue. 



When the women play against the men, five of the women are matched against one 

 of the latter. A mixed game of this kind is very amusing. The fact that among 

 the Dakota women are allowed to participate in the game is considered excellent 

 evidence that the game is a borrowed one. Among most other tribes women are not 

 even allowed to touch a ball stick. 



The Chactas, Chickasaws, and allied tribes of Indian territory frequently perform 

 acts of conjuring in the hall field to invoke the assistance of their tutelary daimons. 

 The games of these Indians are much more brutal than those of the northern tribes. 



14 ETH 9 



