22 THE CHINOOK INDIANS. 



Another game which I have seen amongst them is called Al-kol- 

 loch, and is one that is universal along the Columbia river. It is con- 

 sidered the most interesting and important as it requires great skill. 

 A smooth level piece of ground is chosen, and a slight barrier of a couple 

 of sticks laid lengthways is made at each end. These are forty or fifty 

 feet apart and a few inches high. The two opponents, stripped naked, 

 are armed each with a very slight spear about three feet long and 

 finely pointed with bone. One of them takes a ring made of bone or 

 some heavy wood, about three inches in diameter, and wound round 

 with cord, on the inner circumference of which are fastened six beads 

 of different colours at equal distances, to each of which a separate 

 numerical value is attached ; the ring is then rolled along the 

 ground to one of the barriers and is followed at the distance of 

 two or three yards by the players, and as the ring strikes the bar- 

 rier and is falling on its side the spears are thrown so that the ring 

 may fall on them ; if only one of the spears should be covered by 

 the ring the owner of it counts according to the coloured bead over 

 it. But it generally happens, from the dexterity of the players, that 

 the ring covers both spears, and each count according to the colours 

 of the beads above his weapon. They then play towards the other 

 barrier, and so on until one party has attained the number agreed 

 upon for game. 



The Chinooks have tolerably good horses, and are fond of racing, 

 at which they bet considerably ; they are expert jockeys and ride 

 fearlessly. They also take great delight in a game with a ball, which 

 is played by them in the same manner as by the Cree, Chippewa, and 

 Sioux Indians. Two poles are erected about a mile apart, and the 

 company is divided into two bands armed with sticks, having a small 

 ring or hoop at the end, with which the ball is picked up and thrown 

 to a great distance, each party then strives to get the ball past their 

 own goal. There are sometimes hundreds on a side, and the play is 

 kept up with great noise and excitement. At this game they also bet 

 heavily, as it is generally played between tribes or villages. 



The sepulchral rites of this singular tribe of Indians are loo cu- 

 rious to be entirely omitted. Upon the death of a Chinook the body 

 is securely tied up in rush matting and placed in the best canoe they 

 can procure, without any peculiar ceremonies. This canoe is as 

 highly decorated as the family of the deceased can afford. Tin cups, 

 kettles, plates, pieces of cotton, red cloth, and furs, and in fact every- 

 thing which they themselves most value, and which are most difficult 

 for them to obtain, are hung round the canoe ; inside, beside the body 



