COLUMBIA RIVER. 123 



from the natural effects of their mode of life, even if no pestilential 

 disease should come among them to sweep them off in a single 

 season. 



I saw more of their gambling here, and the lengths to which they 

 carry it, than in any other place, in consequence of having occasion 

 to come oftener in contact with them. The game most practised was 

 played by one of them concealing two small sticks in the hand so 

 adroitly as to elude scrutiny, while the others guessed which hand 

 contained them. Two parties play at this, sitting upon different 

 sides of a large board ; and whilst the concealment of the stick is 

 going on, they keep up a kind of chaunt and beating with the sticks. 

 to produce confusion and noise, in order to distract the attention of 

 the players. The air they sing is — 



• ~~i i r~ 



-f-srP-p 



ILL 



121 LJI 



.EEufcF 



j» #_ 



i r 



Wa ich e - e Wa 



I . . 





±±z 



=S±^=S=E=t 



ich e - e Wa - ich Wa - ich. 



This game seems to amuse them, not only for hours but for whole 

 nights, and the great cause of excitement lies in the stakes. Ten is 

 game, and the party lose or win two at each guess. 



They have another sport, which seemed to be the favourite with 

 the Indians around Vancouver : this is played with a number of disks 

 of bone or ivory, of the size of a quarter of a dollar, one of which 

 differs from the rest. These are concealed in tow or fibrous hemp, 

 and the guessing takes place in the same way. With these disks the 

 players make a great noise by shaking them in their hands. There 

 is great attention required in those who venture to play the game ; 

 and such appears to be its fascination, that I have seen them deprive 

 themselves of one garment or article after another, until they were 

 entirely destitute; and it is even said they often stake the freedom, 

 not only of themselves, but of their children. 



At Astoria we saw one day, when there was quite a crowd of In- 

 dians at the encampment, several squaws all dressed in their best 

 attire. These were all more than usually attentive to their personal 

 appearance. 



The principal among them was a widow, whose time of mourning 



