246 THE MEXOMINI INDIANS [eth.asn.14 



to be run lias been decided on, the starting point is indicated by mak- 

 ing a transverse scratch in the ground over the line of the course, or 

 by laying down at either side some leaves, a blanket, or some other 

 conspicuous mark. The runners then recede from this mark in order 

 to get a good and fair start. Iiotli being ready, a twig or stick from 

 lli to 15 inches in length is held between them, each grasping an end 

 so as to readily indicate when one or the other is gaining undue advan- 

 tage in speed from the standing point to the scratch where the race is 

 actually to begin. 



In starting, both racers step off briskly, at once beginning a gentle 

 trot which increases in speed as they approach the scratch, though 

 both endeavor to keep abreast and glance at the stick held by the 

 two. When the true starting point is reached, the stick is dropped 

 and both start forward, each endeavoring to impede the progress of 

 the other by every conceivable trick. 



Ordinary footraces cover only a few hundred yards, though long- 

 distance races have sometimes occurred. When runners are sent out 

 to carry invitations to the Mita'wit ceremonials, or when the agent 

 desires information transmitted, the courier assumes an easy running 

 gait, which may be kept up for hours at a time. This dog-trot is the 

 least fatiguing, and instances of the endurance of Indians have been 

 well shown in recent years by the Apache renegades in their endeavor 

 to escape the troops in the mountainous country of eastern and south- 

 eastern Arizona, who would frequently desert their ponies and take to 

 the trails on foot. 



A Mohave courier, well known to the writer, has been known to make 

 the journey between Camp Mohave and a temporary camp 90 miles 

 southward between sunrise and sunset. He would eat but little during 

 the day preceding the journey, and on the morning of his departure, 

 shortly before the summer's early sunrise, would tuck the dispatches 

 or letters in his huge, coil of hair, and being clad only in breechcloth 

 and moccasins was unimpeded in his progress. The trail lay along the 

 hard, sandy banks of the river terrace, and as the temperature rose 

 during the day he would go down into the water to wet his body and 

 then resume his steady, easy, jogging gait, with both arms brought up 

 beside the chest, the fists being clenched and held almost in front of the 

 breastbone. 



With reference to the speed obtained by the Menomini Indians, 

 nothing remarkable has been accomplished, so far as is known. An 

 instance of excellent time made by an Ojibwa mixed blood, at White 

 Earth, Minnesota, has been placed on record. 1 The Indian referred to 

 was sent for to enter a race against professional runners. He left the 

 plow at noon, and after dinner walked about 23 miles to the place where 

 the race was to be run, and next morning made 100 yards in ten and 

 three-quarters seconds. 



'American Anthropologist, Washington, vol. Hi, 1890, p. 133. 



