cULIN] HOOP AND POLE: MUSKOGEE 487 
The area is exactly level, and sunk 2, sometimes 3 feet below the banks or 
terraces surrounding them, which are occasionally two in number, one behind 
and above the other, and composed of the earth taken from the area at the time 
of its formation. These banks or terraces serve the purpose of seats for the 
spectators. In the center of this yard or area there is a low circular mound 
or eminence, in the middle of which stands erect the chunk pole, which is a 
high obelisk or four-square pillar declining upwards to an obtuse point. This 
is of wood, the heart or inward resinous part of a sound pine tree, and is very 
durable; it is generally from 30 to 40 feet in height, and to the top is fastened 
some object which serves as a mark to shoot at, with arrows or the rifle, at 
certain appointed times. Near each corner of one end of the yard stands erect 
u less pole or pillar, about 12 feet high, called a “ slave post,” for the reason that 
to them are bound the captives condemned to be burnt. These posts are usually 
decorated with the scalps of slain enemies, suspended by strings from the top. 
They are often crowned with the white dry skull of an enemy. 
It thus appears that this area is designed for a public place of exhibition, for 
shows, games, etc. Formerly, there is little doubt, most barbarous and trag- 
ical scenes were enacted within them, such as the torturing and burning of cap- 
tives, who were here forced to run the gauntlet, bruised and beaten with sticks 
and burning chunks of wood. The Indians do not now practise these cruelties ; 
but there are some old traders who have witnessed them in former times. I 
inquired of these traders for what reason these areas were called “ chunk 
yards;” they were, in general, ignorant, yet, for the most part, concurred in a 
lame story that it originated in the circumstance of its having been a place of 
torture, and that the name was but an interpretation of the Indian term desig- 
nating them.2 e 
I observed none of these yards in use in any of the Cherokee towns ; and where 
I have mentioned them, in the Cherokee country, it must be understood that I 
saw only the remains or vestiges of them among the ruins of the ancient towns. 
In the existing Cherokee towns which I visited, although there were ancient 
mounds and signs of the yard adjoining, yet the yard was either built upon or 
jurned into a garden plat, or otherwise appropriated. Indeed, I am convinced 
that the chunk yards now or lately in use among the Creeks are of very ancient 
date, and not the work of the present Indians; although they are now kept in 
repair by them, being swept very clean every day, and the poles kept up and 
decorated in the manner I have described. 
The following plan [figure 636] will illustrate the form and character of these 
yards: a. The great area, surrounded by terraces or banks. B. A circular emi- 
nence at one end of the yard, commonly 9 or 10 feet higher than the ground 
round about. Upon this mound stands the great rotunda, hothouse, or winter 
council house of the present Creeks. It was probably designed and used by the 
nanecients, who constructed it for the same purpose. c. A square terrace or emi- 
nence, about the same height with the circular one just described, occupying a 
position at the other end of the yard. Upon this stands the public square. The 
hanks inclosing the yard are indicated by the letters b, b, b, b; © indicates the 
“chunk pole”; and d, d, the 
slave posts.” 
*" According to Adair, Du Pratz, and other writers, the Cherokees and probably the 
Creeks were much addicted to a similar game, played with a rod or pole and a circular 
stone, which was called chungke. Mr Catlin describes this game as still existing under 
the name of tehung-kee among the Minitarees and other tribes on the Missouri. It also 
prevailed among some of the Ohio Indians. It has been suggested that the areas called 
chunk, or chunky yards, by Bartram, derived their names from the circumstance, that 
they were, among other objects, devoted to games, among which, that of chungke was 
prominent. This suggestion derives some support from Adair. ... It is therefore not 
improbable that these square areas were denominated chungke yards. 
