ABORIGINAL USE OF WOOD IN NEW YORK 1 83 



haps aided in steering it. The game was a race down a hill ending 

 in an open plain. Trenches were made in the snow and water was 

 applied to form ice. The trenches were about a foot wide and 

 equaled the players in number. Four clans were arrayed against 

 the other four at the base of the hill, their champions taking their 

 boats to the top. These were coated with ice and started down 

 their tracks, which were from two to a dozen in number. Each 

 player had two or three boats, a count being allowed for each till 

 the score was made. Figure 34 shows a boat of this kind. Morgan, 

 1:294 



The Onondagas use a bark sled on which a boy rides standing, 

 as in figure 68. The bark is cut in a long triangle, a notch being 

 made in each side of the narrow end, to which a bark rope is tied. 

 This draws it up and backward, much like a toboggan but not 

 curling over. The boy holds the rope in his hand, standing on the 

 broad end of the bark, and thus slides down hill. Each strives to 

 go farthest and swiftest. 



Lacrosse is one of the finest of ball games, and was played by 

 all Indians east of the Rocky mountains. Two poles were placed 

 as gateways at each end of the ground, the one party trying to 

 carry or drive the ball through its opponent's gate, and the other 

 to prevent this. The ball was originally made from a knot of wood, 

 but now one of leather is used. The bat is a bow of hickory, bent 

 somewhat like a fishhook and partly equipped with a netting of 

 sinews. The bend is cut so that it may readily slide under the ball 

 and pick it from the ground. It is then borne on the network or 

 thrown from it, as need requires. Figure 118 shows the bat, 64 

 inches long and 10 broad. When the two sides are ready, a player 

 from each meet in the center of the field, placing one bat over the 

 other, with the ball on it. At a signal it is thrown in the air, and 

 the contest begins. It must not be touched with the hand, and, if 

 it falls to the ground, the bat must slip under and raise it again. 

 When a dozen are trying to do this, there are lively times. Its name 

 is ka-che-kzva-ah' . 



Another ball game has been described by the writer alone. It 

 seems derived from base ball, having a pitcher and batter, bases and 



