No. 75.] 



81 



Gii-geh-da, or Javelin. 



Javelin 5^ feet, i inch in diameter. Ring 6 inches in diameter. 



Tlie game of Javelins, or shooting sticks, is also of Indian invention. 

 It is a simple game, depending upon the dexterity with which the 

 javelin is thrown at the ring, as it rolls upon the ground. The javelin 

 itself is the forfeit, and the game is lost when all the javelins upon one 

 side are won. As in other Indian games, the people array themselves 

 according to their tribal divisions ; the Wolf, Bear, Turtle, and Beaver 

 tribes, playing against the Deer, Snipe, Heron, and Hawk. From 

 fifteen to thirty on a side are chosen, each taking from three to six 

 javelins. The parties having stationed themselves several rods apart, 

 upon opposite sides of a given line, a hoop or ring is rolled by one party 

 in front of the other, who throw their javelins at the ring as it passes. 

 If the hoop is struck by one of them, the other party are required to 

 stand in the place of the successful person and throw all their javelins 

 in succession at the ring. Those which hit are saved, and those which 

 fail are handed over to the other party, who in turn throw them at the 

 ring. Of this number, those which hit the hoop are won finally, and 

 laid out of the play ; the balance are returned to their original owners. 

 The successful party then rolls back the ring, and the game is thus 

 continued until all the javelins upon one side are forfeited. 



G.i-ne-a, or Ball Bat. 



5 1 feet. 



This is the great game of the Indians. It is also of the highest an- 

 tiquity, universal among the Red races, and played with a zeal and 

 enthusiasm which would scarcely be credited. In playing it they 

 [Senate, No. 75. | 6 



