BALL PLAY. 21 
The combatants are stripped entirely naked except a breech 
cloth.and moccasins, and gaudily painted; they fasten at the 
centre and small of the back, a horse’s tail, gaily painted and 
arrayed like a tail that has been knicked by a jockey ; some 
wore bouquets of flowers’ instead of the tail, but these were 
evidently the exquisites of the party, which the rings worn 
in the ears, nose and under lips, and manner of arranging the 
hair—one having it cut to a point and drawn down over his 
right eye, whilst his left eye was painted green—clearly proved, 
The grotesque appearance of the players, the excitement, yells 
‘and shouts of the crowd, old and young, and the gaudy finery 
Ses all combined to make an indelible impression upon 
d f the tribe were the most noisy 
and eine Chie old fellow, blind of an eye and seventy 
years old, was quite wild with excitement ; shaking his red 
handkerchief, he continued to shout, hoo, ka, li—hoo, ka, li— 
_ eatch, catch, when the ball was thrown, and chi, ca, ma,— 
good, when a count was made, until quite hoarse. Doubtless, 
like the old war horse at the sound of the bugle, he felt all the 
fire of his youth, as he entered into the full spirit of this truly 
and only Indian sport. i 
With reluctance we were obliged to leave for our quiet 
camp in the same prairie, and until nightfall, could hear the 
yells and laughter of the retiring crowd. 
June 4th. This (the first extensive prairie we had met) i 
about pai wide, surrounded by timber, and covered 
with flowers, among which be atigel sold | and d clematis were 
