54 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
to the Senecas, who were their nearest neighbors, inviting them to 
select one hundred of their most noted athletes to play a game of 
ball against the same number to be selected by the Eries, for a wager 
that should be considered worthy the occasion and the character of 
the nation, in whose behalf the offer had been made. Now hitherto, 
the Eries had been the acknowledged champion athletes of the con- 
tinent ; in all hand and foot struggles they were unequalled. 
The message was received and entertained in the most respect- 
ful manner. A council of the Five Nations was called and the pro- 
position fully discussed, and a messenger dispatched with the deci- 
sion of the council respectfully declining the challenge. 
This emboldened the Eries, and the next vear the offer was re- 
newed, and after being again considered, again formally declined. 
This was far from satisfying the proud lords of ‘*The Great Lake,” 
and the challenge was renewed the third time. The blood of the 
young Iroquois could not be restrained. They importuned the old 
men to allow them to accept the challenge, and the wise councils 
which had so far prevailed at last gave way,.and the challenge was 
accepted. 
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm with which each tribe sent 
forward its chosen champions for the contest. The only difficulty 
seemed to be to make a selection where all were so worthy. After 
much delay, one hundred of the flower of all the Five Nations were 
fixed. An experienced chief was chosen as the leader of the party, 
whose orders the young men were strictly enjoined to obey. A grand 
council was held at Onondaga, and in the presence of the assembled’ 
multitude, the party was charged in the most solemn manner, to 
observe a pacific course of conduct towards their competitors and 
the nation whose guests they were about to become, and to allow no 
provocation, however great, to be resented by any act of aggression 
on their part, but in all respects to acquit themselves in a manner 
worthy the representatives of a great and powerful people, anxious to 
cultivate peace and friendship with their neighbors according to the 
teachings of Hiawatha. The party then took up its line of march 
to Teosahwa. When the chosen band had arrived in the vicinity 
of the point of their destination, a messenger was sent forward to 
notify the Eries of their arrival, and the next day was to be set apart 
for their grand entree. The elegant and athletic forms, the tasteful 
