130 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [ETH.Aira.14 



The game sticks are longer, and made of hickory, and blows are frequently directed 

 so as to disable a runner. 1 



The game of lacrosse originated without doubt among some one of 

 the eastern Algonquian tribes, possibly in the valley of Saint Lawrence 

 river, and from there was carried down among the Huron-Iroquois, and 

 later on into the country of the more southern members of the Iroquoian 

 linguistic stock, as the Cherokee, etc. Westward the game was takeu 

 by the various tribes of the Algonquian stock, and afterward adopted 

 by other tribes, until at this day there is evidence of its influence 

 among many tribes of diverse stocks. The French name of the game has 

 been preserved in the geography of Wisconsin, both in the Prairie de la 

 Crosse and in the city of that name; and in the history of that state 

 by the ball-play conspiracy, made use of by Pontiac for the purpose 

 of gaining admission to the fort at Michilimackinac to massacre the 

 garrison. 



When Mackinaw passed into the possession of the British in 1703, 

 the Menominij who had gone to aid the French, returned to their homes 

 at Green bay, with the exception, possibly, of a few who, for the purpose 

 of trading, may have accompanied the French settlers in their journey 

 to Mackinaw to take the oath of allegiance. Some of the Ottawa and 

 Ojibwa had espoused the cause of Pontiac, who was endeavoring to 

 surprise the garrison and thus embroil the Indian tribes in difficulties 

 with the English. De Langlade, who had located near the garrison, 

 and who had been informed by his Indian allies of the plan, several 

 times warned Captain Etherington, the commandant, of the plot, in 

 which a game of ball was to figure, the throwing of the ball over the 

 picketing being the signal to strike. Etherington doubted the truthful- 

 ness of the report, believing it to be nothing but idle rumor, and 

 persisted in his belief that no precautions were necessary. 



Francis Parkman 2 gives the following graphic account of this cele- 

 brated game and its results : 



Captain Etherington and Lieutenant Leslie stood near the gate, the former indulg- 

 ing his inveterate Euglish propensity ; for, as Henry informs us, he had promised the 

 Ojibwas that he would bet on their side against the Sacs. Indian chiefs and war- 

 riors were also among the spectators, intent apparently on watching the game, but 

 ■with thoughts, in fact, far otherwise employed. 



The plain in front was covered by ball players. The game iu which they were 

 engaged, called baggattaway by the Ojibwas, is still, as it always has been, a favorite 

 with inauy Indian tribes. At either extremity of the ground a tall post was planted, 

 marking the stations of the rival parties. The objectof each was to defend its own 

 post and drive the ball to that of its adversary. Hundreds of lithe and agile figures 

 were leaping and bounding upon the plain. Each was nearly naked, his loose, black 

 hair Hying in the wind, and each bore in his hand a bat of a form peculiar to this 

 game. At one moment the whole were crowded together, a dense throng of combat- 

 ants, ali struggling for the ball; at the next they were scattered again and running 

 over the ground like hounds in full cry. Each in his excitement yelled and 



1 American Anthropologist, Washington, D. C, April, 1890, vol. iii, pp. 134-135. 



2 Conspiracy of Pontiac, Boston, 1868, vol. i, pp. 297-298. 



