ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



359 



which is generally nothing more than an arrow, 

 or something of small value. From so early and 

 constant a practice, they become, at length, the 

 best marksmen, perhaps, in the world. Many of 

 them, at the distance of eight or ten rods, will 

 throw an arrow with such precision, as twice out 

 of three times, to hit a mark of the size of a dol- 

 lar. The young men often amuse themselves, in 

 the summer season, by a game of ball. 



What is denominated by the Indians, the dish 

 game, is played with peculiar interest, by all 

 the tribes with which I have been acquainted. 

 Eight or ten little pieces of bones, or so many but- 

 tons, or some similar things, have a certain num- 

 ber of marks upon their different sides, so that 

 they bear some resemblance to dice. These are 

 put into a dish, which two persons shake alter- 

 nately, and turn its contents on the ground. The 

 marks on the sides of the bones, &c. which are 

 uppermost, are then counted ; and, in a given 

 number of throws, he who can count the greatest 

 number of marks, wins whatever is at stake ; for 

 they never play, without something. 



The Sauteux and Crees are very fond of play- 

 ing at draughts ; and they are considerably skil- 

 ful, at this game. They have, also, many other 

 plays and diversions, which enable them to pass 

 away the greater part of their leisure time, gaily. 



