324 GAMES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS | [b&TH. Ann. 24 
These objects were collected by Dr Edward Palmer, who describes 
them as used in the game of peon. 3 
The following account of this game, as played by the Luisino 
Indians at Agua Caliente, from the Escondito Times, September 26, 
1888, was kindly furnished me by Doctor Palmer: ¢ 
In the evening we again visited the camp. The cooking, eating, and games 
were in full swing. Candles were lit and stuck around in the most available 
places. Nearly all the white folks who were tenting or living at the springs 
were there to see the games, and especially the great game of Peone, which we 
were told would be played that evening. This game is intensely interesting 
and a great favorite with this tribe. Hach keeper of the game is elected by the 
tribe, the same as we would a justice of the peace. When a game is to be 
nade up he announces it in a loud voice. It takes eight players, four on a side, 
and as soon as the bets are made the keeper sits down in front of a small 
brush fire, takes the money from each side, carefully counting it over. They 
Fig. 427. 
Fia. 426. Sticks and bones for peon; length of sticks, 24 inches; of bones, 2) inches; Diegueno 
Indians, San Diego, California; cat. no. 19757, United States National Museum. 
Fig. 427. Counting sticks for peon; length, 18 inches; Diegueno Indians, San Diego, California; 
cat. no. 19757, United States National Museum. 
usually bet from two to three dollars each, making the full amount from 
twenty to thirty dollars. When the keeper is satisfied that each side has put 
in an equal amount, he goes dver it carefully, holds it up so all are satisfied, 
ties it up in a handkerchief, and puts it inside of his shirt. Then he takes 
up twenty bamboo sticks, a foot long, counts them over carefully; then takes 
eight pieces of bone, about an inch long, four white and four black; to each 
is attached a leather thong with a slip noose at the other end large enough 
* Doctor Palmer writes (in a personal letter, June 2, 1899): “ The church fathers in 
forming the mission of San Luis Rey gathered the Indians from various tribes. In time 
they became known as the San Luisifo Indians. Afterward in establishing the mission at 
Agua Caliente, in southern California, the fathers took the Indians from the mission of 
San Luis Rey (the Luisifos), who, with the Dieguefo Indians, living near, were formed into 
anew mission. As the former predominated, their name was retained. This accounts for 
both playing the same game.” Doctor Palmer continues: “As members of all the tribes 
of southern California were mixed in forming the mission settlements, their respective 
games became common, to a greater or less extent, among them all. The fathers kept 
them, as far as possible, at work, and some curtailed or entirely prohibited the use of 
their native games, as they were considered as part of their heathen worship, which 
could not be tolerated. They were thus compelled to discard their tribal games, which 
are now seldom played.” 
