CULIN] SHINNY: DAKOTA 639 
Daxora (Teron). Cheyenne River agency, South Dakota. (Cat. 
no. 168170, United States National Museum.) 
Shinny stick (figure 830), a peeled sapling, turned around at one end, 
281 inches in length. The handle is cut away at the end and has 
four thongs wrapped with colored quill work, and a bunch of 
strings of glass beads attached. Collected by Mr Z. T. Daniel. 
Fic. 830. Shinny stick; length, 28} inches; Teton Dakota Indians, Cheyenne River agency, 
South Dakota: cat. no. 168170, United States National Museum. 
Daxora (YanKTON). South Dakota. 
George P. Belden * describes the ball game as follows: 
A great noise of shouting is heard in the camp, and the young men, with bat, 
or club, 3 feet long and crooked at the end, go out on the prairie near the camp. 
Having found a smooth spot they halt, and two of the youths, by common con- 
sent, take opposite sides and pick out the players, first one and then the other, 
until enough are had. 
One morning I heard the young men shouting for ball, and I went out with 
them to the playground. The two chiefs, A-ke-che-ta (Little Dog Soldier) and 
Ma-to-sac (White Bear), were picking sides, and a number of Indians were 
already seated facing each other, and bantering on the game. As each man was 
selected he spread down his buffalo robe and sat upon it, facing his opponent. 
I was selected by A-ke-che-ta, and silently took my place in the line. Presently 
all the young men who were to play were selected, and then several old men 
were appointed to act as umpires of the game. These advanced and seated 
themselves between the contestants, and then the warriors rose and commenced 
betting on the game. First one warrior advanced and threw down a robe be- 
fore the old men; then a warrior from the other side came forward and laid a 
robe upon it; and so all bet, one against the other. Presently there was a 
great number of piles of stakes, some having bet moccasins, headdresses, bead- 
work, earrings, necklaces, bows and arrows, and even ponies. All these were 
carefully watched over by the old men, who noted each stake and the depositor 
on a stick. If you did not wish to bet with any particular warrior you laid 
your wager on the big pile, and instantly it was matched by the judges against 
some article of corresponding value from the pile of the other side. Thus I bet 
a hunting knife, half a pound of powder, a pair of moccasins, and a small hand 
mirror, which articles were appropriately matched with others by the judges. 
All was now in readiness for the game to begin, and the parties separated. 
The two lines were formed about 100 yards apart. In front of each side, 20 
feet from each other, two stakes, smeared with paint, are driven firmly into 
the ground, and the object of the game is to drive the ball between the stakes. 
Whichever side shall first force the ball through the opposite stakes wins the 
game. The ball, made of rags and covered with buckskin, is carried to the 
center of the ground between the combatants and there deposited, by one of the 
old men, who then returns to his post. The judges then give the signal, and 
4 Belden, the White Chief; edited by Gen. James S. Brisben, U. S. A., p. 37, Cincin- 
nati, 1871. 
