80 



denude themselves entirely, with the exception of the Ga-ka, or waist 

 cloth, each one holding a hat, of the species represented in the figure. 

 Gates are erected about sixty rods apart, upon opposite sides of a 

 field, and the point in the game is, for each party to carry the hall 

 through their own gate. Usually they have from six to eight on a side 

 to play the game, who are surrounded by a concourse of spectators. 

 Commencing at the centre, each party strives to direct the ball towards 

 their own gate, knocking it upon the ground or through the air ; but 

 more frequently taking it up upon the deerskin net- work of the ball bat 

 and carrying it in a race towards the gate. When an opposite player 

 strikes it ahead of the runner, the latter throws the ball over the head 

 of the former towards the gate. Oftentimes the play is contested with 

 so much animation, that the ball is received at the edge of the gate ; 

 and finally, after many shifts in the tide of success, is carried to the 

 opposite side. The game is usually from five to seven, and requires 

 from noon until evening to determine it, each trial is conducted with so 

 much ardor and diversity of success. Specimens of the ball bat are 

 furnished. 



Gus-sra-e-sa-ta, or Deer Buttons. 



A set of deer buttons will also be found among the articles. This is 

 a fireside game. Eight buttons, an inch in diameter, are made of deer 

 bone, and blackened upon one side. They are thrown with the hand, 

 the count depending upon the number of faces which turn up of one 

 color. If they all come up white, for instance, it counts twenty; if 

 seven of the eight, it counts four ; if six, two. These are the only 

 counts. Fifty beans make the bank, and the game continues until one 

 party has won them. 



