566 GAMES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS  [ern. ann. 24 
Curepewa. Wisconsin. 
Jonathan Carver ® says: 
They amuse themselves at several sorts of games, but the principal and most 
esteemed among them is that of ball, which is not unlike the European game of 
tennis. The balls they use are rather larger than those made use of at tennis, 
and are formed of a piece of deer-skin; which being moistened to render it sup- 
ple, is stuffed hard with the hair of the same creature, and sewed with its 
sinews. The ball-sticks are about 3 feet long, at the end of which there is fixed 
a kind of racket, resembling the palm of the hand, and fashioned of thongs cut 
from a deer-skin. In these they catch the ball, and throw it a great distance, if 
they are not prevented by some of the opposite party, who try to intercept it. 
The game is generally played by large companies, that sometimes consist of 
more than three hundred; and it is not uncommon for different bands to play 
against each other. 
They begin by fixing two poles in the ground at about 600 yards apart, and 
one of these goals belongs to each party of the combatants. The ball is thrown up 
high in the center of the ground, and in a direct line between the goals; towards 
which each party endeavors to strike it, and whichsoever side first causes it 
to reach their own goal, reckons toward the game. 
They are so exceeding dexterous in this manly exercise, that the ball is 
usually kept flying in different directions by the force of the rackets, without 
touching the ground during the whole contention; for they are not allowed to 
eateh it with their hands. 
They run with amazing velocity in pursuit of each other, and when one is on 
the point of hurling it to a great distance, an antagonist overtakes him, and by 
a sudden stroke dashes down the ball. They play with so much vehemence 
that they frequently wound each other, and sometimes a bone is broken; but 
notwithstanding these accidents there never appears to be any spite or wanton 
exertions of strength to effect them, nor do any disputes ever happen between the 
parties. 
In his Chippewa vocabulary he gives ball as alewin. 
Apostle islands, Wisconsin. 
J. G. Kohl” says: 
Of all the Indian social sports the finest and grandest is the ball play. I 
might call it a noble game, and I am surprised how these savages attained such 
perfection in it. Nowhere in the world, excepting, perhaps, among the English 
and some of the Italian races, is the graceful and manly game of ball played so 
passionately and on so large a scale. They often play village against village, 
or tribe against tribe. Hundreds of players assemble, and the wares and goods 
offered as prizes often reach a value of a thousand dollars and more. On our 
island we made a vain attempt to get up a game, for though the chiefs were 
ready enough, and all were cutting their raquets and balls in the bushes, the 
chief American authorities forbade this innocent amusement. Hence, on this 
occasion, I was only enabled to inspect the instruments. They were made 
with great care and well adapted for the purpose, and it is to be desired that 
the Indians would display the same attention to more important matters. 
The raquets are 23 feet in length, carved very gracefully out of a white 
tough wood, and provided with a handle. The upper end is formed into a ring, 
< or 5 inches in diameter, worked very firmly and regularly, and covered by 
* Travels through the Interior Parts of North America, p. 287, Philadelphia, 1796. 
6 Kitchi-gami, Wanderings round Lake Superior, p. 88, London, 1860. 
