cuLin] SNOW-SNAKE: SENECA 411 
which water was poured into them that it might freeze and line the 
trenches throughout their whole extent with ice. These trenches to 
the number of a dozen, side by side, if as many individuals intended 
to play, were finished with the greatest care and exactness, not only 
down the hillside, but to a considerable distance across the plain 
below. At the same time the boats themselves were dipped in water, 
that they might also be coated with ice. 
The people divided by tribes in playing this, as in all other Iroquois 
games, the Wolf, Bear, Beaver, and Turtle tribes playing against 
the Deer, Snipe, Heron, and Hawk. At the time appointed the 
people assembled at the base 
of the hill and divided off by 
tribes, and then commenced 
betting on the result, a cus- 
tom universally practised on 
such occasions. The game 
was played by select players 
who were stationed at the top Fra. 531. Snow boat; Seneca Indians, New York; 
of the hill, each with two or BED Sena 
three boats, and standing at the head of his own trench. When all 
was in readiness the boats were started off together at the appointed 
moment, and their rapid descent was watched with eager interest by 
the people below. . . . If the game was 20 it would be con- 
tinued until one side had made that number of points. A count of 
one was made for every boat which led all upon the adverse side, so 
that if there were six players upon a side it was possible for that 
number to be made at one trial. On the contrary, if all the boats but 
one upon one side were in advance of all but one on the adverse side, 
and the latter was in advance of all, this head boat would win and 
count one. The principles of the game are precisely the same as in 
the snow-snake game. 
Morgan says also: 4 
There was another game of javelino, gii-ga-dii-yan’-duk, played by shooting 
them through the air. In this game the javelin used was made of sumac, 
because of its lightness, and was of the same length and size as in the former 
[see page 410]. This game was divided into contests, as the ball game, and was 
won by the party which first made the number agreed upon. The game was 
usually from 15 to 20, and the number of players on a side ranged from five to 
ten. When the parties were ready, the one who had the first throw selected the 
object upon which the javelin was to be thrown, to give it an upward flight, and 
also its distance from the standing point. If, for example, it was a log, at the 
distance of a rod, the player placed his forefinger against the foot of the javelin, 
and, supporting it with his thumb and second finger, he threw it in such a 
manner, that it would strike the upper part of the log, and thus be thrown up 
into the air, and forward, until its force was spent. In this manner all the 
“League of the Iroquois, p. 301, Rochester, 1851. 
