cuttin] DICE GAMES: ASSINIBOIN 175 
First throw. Big claw on end, 30, and three red claws, 15, counts 45; two 
burnt sides up, 0; three blue sides up, 3 each, 9; one eye side up, 0; four con- 
faves up, 1 each, 4: total, 58. [Figure 224a.] 
Second throw. Two red, none on end, nothing by claws, counts 0; three burnt 
sides up, 4 each, 12; five blue sides up, 3 each, 15; three eye sides up, 2 each, 
6; two concayes, nothing by tacks, 0; total, 33. [Figure 224b.] 
Third throw. Big claw on end, 30, all the rest red, 20, counts 50; five burnt 
sides up, 4+ each, 20; five blue sides up, 3 each, 15; five eye sides up, 2 each, 10; 
five concave tacks, 1 each, 5; total, 100. This is the best throw that can be 
made and takes all the stakes when the game does not 
exceed 100. [Figure 224c.] 
The bow! is held by the tips of the four fingers in- 
side the rim and the thumb underneath. The dice being 
put in, they are thrown up a few inches by striking 
the bottom of the bowl on the ground, so that each 
counter makes several revolutions. It is altogether a 
game of chance, and no advantage can be taken by 
anyone in making the throws. The counters or dice 
never leave the bowl, but are counted as the value 
turns up. One person having shaken it, and the amount 
of his throw having been ascertained, a requisite num- 
ber of small sticks are placed before him, each stick 
eounting 1. In this way the game is kept, but each 
keeps his adversary’s game, not his own; that is, he 
hands him a number of sticks equal to the amount of 
his throw, which are laid so that all can see them. 
Each throws in turn unless the big claw stands on end, 
in which case the person is entitled to a successive 
throw. By much practice they are able to count the 
number turned up at a glance, and the principles of the 
game being stated . . . we will now describe how 
it is carried on. It has been observed in reference 
to their gambling that it is much fairer in its nature 
than the same as carried on by the whites, and this 
is worthy of attention, inasmuch as it shows how the 
loser is propitiated, so that the game may not result 
in quarrel or bloodshed, as is often the case. The game 
is mostly played by the soldiers and warriors, and each n 
must feel equal to the other in courage and resolution; yyg. 224. Counts in bowl 
it is often kept up for two or three days and nights game; Assiniboin Indians, 
without any intermission, except to eat, until one of | Montana; from sketch by 
the parties is ruined. For example, A plays: against ann ecise 
B; each puts up a knife, and they throw alternately until 100 is counted 
by the dice; say A wins, B now puts up his shirt against two knives, which is 
about equal in value; say A wins again, B then stakes his powderhorn and 
some arrows against the whole of A’s winnings; should B now win, the 
game commences again at the beginning, as A would only have lost a knife; 
but supposing A wins, B now puts up his bow and quiver of arrows against 
all A has won. The stakes are never withdrawn, but let lie in front of 
them. Say A again wins, B then stakes his blanket and leggings, which 
are about equal in value to all A has won, or, if not, it is equalized by adding 
or subtracting some article. Supposing A again to be winner, he would then 
be in possession of two knives. one shirt, one blanket, one powderhorn, one bow 
and quiver of arrows, and one pair of leggings, the whole of which the Indians 
value at eight robes. B now stakes his gun against all the above of A’s win- 
