cuLiIn] HAND GAME: COMANCHE 809 
usage. Accompanied by twenty undecorated counting sticks, 
made of cottonwood, three-eighths of an inch in diameter and 
13 inches long. s 
Bannock and Suosnonr. Fort Hall agency, Idaho... (Cat. no. 
22984, United States National Museum.) 
Set of two bones (figure 404), 22 inches in length, solid and tapering 
at ends, one wrapped with thread for a length of 1} inches. 
Collected by W. H. Danilson, Indian agent. 
Comancue. ‘Texas. 
Robert S. Neighbors“ says: 
Their principal game is the same as all the northern 
bands, called ‘ bullet,” “ button,” etc., which consists 
in changing a bullet rapidly from one hand to the 
other, accompanied by a song to which they keep time 
with the motion of their arms, and the opposite party Ppyg. 404. Bones for hand 
guessing which hand it is in. They sometimes stake game; length, 2} inches; 
all they possess on a single game. Bannock and Shoshoni In; 
dians, Fort Hall agency, 
Col: Richard Irving Dodge® describes a  ‘Tdaho; cat. no. 22284, 
“ : : m : 5 United States National 
game somewhat like hide-the-slipper, in which — yuseum. ; 
an almost unlimited number may take part: 
Two individuals will choose sides, by alternate selection among those who 
wish to play, men or women. Al!I then seat themselves in the parailel lines 
about 8 feet apart, facing each other. The articles wagered are piled between 
the lines. All being ready, the leader of one side rising to his knees holds up 
the gambling bone, so that all may see it. He then closes it in the two hands, 
manipulating it so dexterously that it is impossible to see in which hand it is: 
After a minute or more of rapid motion he suddenly thrusts one or generally 
both hands, into the outstretched hands of the person on the right and. left. 
This marks the real commencement of the game, no guess of the other watch- 
ing-side being permitted until after this movement. THe may pass the bone 
to one or the other, or he may retain it himself. In either case, he continues 
his motions as if he had received it; passing or pretending to pass it on and on 
to the right and left, until every arm is waving, every hand apparently passing 
the bone and every player in a whirl of excitement. All this while, the other 
line is watching with craned necks and strained eyes for the slightest bungle 
in the manipulation, which will indicate where the bone is. Finally some 
one believes he sees it and suddenly points to a hand, which must be instantly 
thrust out and opened palm up. If the bone is in it the watching party wins 
one point, if not it loses. The other side then takes the bone and goes through 
the same performance. If during the manipulations the bone should be acci- 
dentally dropped, the other side takes a point and the bone. The game is usually 
21 points, though the players may determine on any number. 
*Schoolecraft's Information respecting the History, Condition, and Prospects of the 
Indian Tribes of the United States, pt. 2, p. 133, Philadelphia, 1852. 
> Our Wild Indians, p. 329, Hartford, 1882. 
