cuLIn] HAND GAME: MISSION 325 
to go over the wrist. The point in the game is for one side to guess in 
which hand of each player of the other side the white bone is. The sides 
arrange themselves opposite each other. They toss to see which has the 
innings. The umpire gives the bones to the successful side and commences to 
sing. The squaws of each side arrange themselves behind the players; all are 
kneeling or sitting on their feet. Each side has a blanket stretched in front of 
their knees. The side having the bones grasp the side of the blanket in their 
teeth; it thus forms a curtain, and behind it they slip the leathers over their 
wrists, without the opposite side seeing which hand the white bone is in. As 
they take the blanket in their teeth they join in the song with the umpire, 
swaying their bodies and making all sorts of grimaces with their faces. The 
squaws sing and keep time with them. The opposite side watches every motion, 
chatter and talk to each other, and the game becomes exciting as the four drop 
the blanket from their mouths and join in the song, in a louder key, with the 
squaws. They have their arms crossed, with their hands under their armpits. 
The other side at once commences making all sorts of motions at them, pointing 
to each one, sometimes with one finger, then two, when finally one of them 
announces which hand the white bone is in of each of the four. If they guess’ 
them all, the umpire gives them four of the bamboo sticks as counters; and if 
they only guess one or two, then the ones they have not guessed go through the 
same motions until all are caught, when the other side takes the bones, and the 
performance goes on until one side gets all the counters, and the game is ended 
with a regular jubilee of the squaws and bucks of the winning side. The 
umpire, who has watched the game all through and whose decision on any dis-: 
puted point is law, hands over the money to the winners, who are nearly 
exhausted, for it takes from three to five hours to play the game. During all 
that time they are singing and in motion alternately. They divide the money 
amongst themselves and the squaws of their side. The umpire decides at the 
top of his not feeble voice that he is ready to start another game. 
We should like to be able to picture the intense interest the visitors took in 
the game, the wild antics of the players, the umpire stolid and watching every 
motion, the fire burning between the players, lighting up their faces and bring- 
ing out in bold relief every expression of disgust or pleasure, making up a- 
picture long to be remembered. To anyone wishing to break himself of the 
fascinating game of poker, we should recommend Peone. 
The game of Peone, described last week, was kept up until about 2 o’clock 
Sunday morning. 
Misston. Mesa Grande, California. (Cat. no. 62538, Field Colum- 
bian Museum. ) 
Fia. 428. Bones for peon; length, 2} inches; Mission Indians, Mesa Grande, California; cat. no. 
62538, Field Columbian Museum. 
Four pieces of bone (figure 428), 24 inches in length, two tied with 
cords and two without cords; one perforated and the others 
notched. 
