868 GAMES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS [erH. ann. 24 
each other’s property. They, of course, occupy and enable them to pass agree- 
ably some of the long summer days, but we never see these things introduced 
without the bets or prospects of gain, and from this fact, together with the 
earnestness exhibited in betting and in the contest, we conclude it to be no more 
than another mode of gambling, to which they are all so much addicted. 
Manpan. North Dakota. 
Prof. F. V. Hayden describes the Mandan foot race as Olympic 
in character : 
A race-course of 3 miles on the level prairie was laid off, cleared of every 
obstruction, and kept in order for the express purpose. Posts were planted 
to mark the initial and terminating points, and over the track the young men 
tested the elasticity of their limbs during the fine summer and autumn months, 
to prepare themselves for the hardship of their winter hunts. On the occasion 
when races were determined on by the chiefs, the young men were informed 
by the public crier, and every one who had confidence in his prowess was ad- 
mitted to the lists. Hach of the runners brought the amount of his wager, con- 
sisting of blankets, guns, and other property, and sometimes several judges or 
elderly men were appointed by the chief of the village, whose duty it was to 
arrange the bets, regulate the starting, and determine the results of the race, 
As the wagers are handed in, each is tied to or matched with one of equal 
value, laid aside, and when all have entered, the judges separate, some remain- 
ing with the property staked at the beginning of the race-course, and others 
taking their station at its terminus. Six pairs of runners whose bets have been 
matched now start to run the 3-mile course, which is to be repeated three 
times before it can be decided. The ground is laid out in the form of an are, 
describing two-thirds of a circle, the starting point and goal being but a few 
hundred yards distant from each other, the intermediate space being filled 
up by the young and old of the whole village. The runners are entirely naked, 
except their moccasins, and their bodies are painted in various ways from 
head to foot. The first set having accomplished about half the first course, 
as many more are started, and this is continued as long as any competitors 
remain, until the entire track is covered with runners, at distances correspond- 
ing with their different times of starting, and the judges award the victory 
to those who come out, by handing each a feather painted red, the first six 
winning the prize. These, on presenting the feathers to the judges at the 
starting-point, are handed the property staked against their own. The first 
and second heats are seldom strongly contested, but on the third, every nerve 
is strained, and great is the excitement of the spectators, who with yells and 
gestures, encourage their several friends and relations. The whole scene is 
highly interesting, and often continued for two or three days in succession, to 
give everyone an opportunity to display his abilities. Those who have shown 
great fleetness and powers of endurance, receive additional reward, in the form 
of praise by the public crier, who harangues their names through the village 
for many days afterwards. This is a fine national amusement, and tends 
much to develop the great muscular strength for which they are remarkable. 
They also immediately on finishing the race, in a profuse state of perspira- 
tion, throw themselves into the Missouri, and no instance is known where this 
apparent rashness resulted in any illness. 
Valley, p. 430, Philadelphia, 1862. 
