No 75.] 



83 



Gus-ka-eh, or Peach Stones. 



Ga-jih, or Bowl. 



Another favorite game of the Iroquois is played with a bowl and peach 

 stones. A dish, about a foot in diameter, is carved out of a knot, or 

 made of earthen. Six peach stones are then filed or cut down into an 

 oval form, reducing them about half in size ; after which they are burned 

 slightly upon one side, to blacken them. These are shook in the bowl, 

 and the count depends upon the number which turn up of the same color. 

 This game is one of their amusements after holding a council. They 

 divide by tribes, as in other games, and bet largely upon the result. It 

 is played by persons selected on each side, who are skilled in the game. 

 The Iroquois ascribe its invention to To-do-da-ho,the renowned sachem of 

 the Onondagas, who flourished at the time of the formation of the league. 



Betting upon all Indian games, when played by tribe against tribe, 

 was as common among the Iroquois, as betting at races by the whites. 

 No restraint whatever was laid upon this practice, and from their fond- 

 ness for excitement, it frequently led to the most reckless indulgence. 

 It not unfrequently happened that the Indian gambled away every 

 hing which he possessed, his rifle, his tomahawk, and even his blanket. 



