306 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL* 



lost that touched it with any other Part but his 

 Hip, which was look'd upon among them as the 

 greatest Dexterity ; and to this Effect, that the Ball 

 might rebound the better, they fastned a Piece of 

 stiff Leather on then* Hips. They might strike it 

 every time it rebounded, which it would do several 

 Times one after another, in so much that it looked 

 as if it had been alive. They play'd in Parties, so 

 many on a Side, for a Load of Mantles, or what the 

 Gamesters could afford, at so many Scores. They 

 also play'd for Gold, and Feather-work, and some- 

 times play'd themselves away, as has been said be- 

 fore. The Place where they play'd was a ground 

 Room, long, narrow, and high, but wider above 

 than belovt^, and higher on the Sides than at the 

 Ends, and they kept it very well plastered and 

 smooth, both the Walls and the Floor. On the 

 side Walls they jixd certain Stones,, like those of a 

 Mill) with a Hole quite through the Middle, just as 

 big as the Ball, and he that could strike it through 

 there won the Game ; and in Token of its being an 

 extraordinary Success, which rarely hapned, he had 

 a Right to the Cloaks of all the Lookers-on, by an- 

 tient Custom, and Law amongst Gamesters ; and it 

 was very pleasant to see, that as soon as ever the 

 Ball was in the Hole, the Standers-by took to their 

 Heels, running away with all their Might to save 

 their Cloaks, laughing and rejoicing, others scouring 

 after them to secure their Cloaks for the Winner, 

 who was oblig'd to offer some Sacrifice to the Idol 



