from the luxurious and less saline grass produced on a more fertile soil.

The fat of the Bison is said to be far sweeter and richer, and generally preferable to that of the common

OX.

The observations made in relation to the Bison's flesh when compared to the flesh of the domestic ox, may be extended to almost all wild meat, which has a peculiar flavor and raciness, which renders it decidedly more agreeable than that of tame animals, although much coarser, and the fibre by no means so delicate.

Of all the parts of the Bison that are eaten, the hump is most famed for its peculiar richness and delicacy, because when cooked 'tis said very much to resemble

marrow.

The tongue and marrow bones are also highly esteemed by the hunters."

Before dismissing the subject of game, I must mention those animals that are taken principally for their fur. I cannot enter into a detailed account of these. The furs brought into the market by the Ojibways, have ever been considered the best. They consist for the most part of Beaver, Otter, Martin, Fisher and Lynx.

The interior of the Canadian country, between the shores of Ontario, Huron and Lake Superior, was once

well hunted for the beaver, but its pelt being here valueless, they are increasing in numbers.

These are some of the animals caught by the Ojibways on land. There is an abundance of fish in all their waters. The best of these is the sweet fish of the lakes, Sis-ka-way, which is esteemed a very great delicacy; and many others which I will not mention, lest I should weary my readers, but will allow them to swim from my sight.

CHAPTER IV.

PLAYS AND EXERCISES.

"Fantastic, frolicksome and wild,

With all the trinkets of a child "

COTTON.

I believe all the Indian nations of this Continent have

amusements among them. Those of the Prairie nations are different from those of the Ojibways, suitable to their wide, open fields. The plays I am about to describe are the principal games practised by the people of my nation. There are others; and chance games are considerably in vogue among them.

One of the most popular games is that of ball-playing, which oftentimes engages an entire village. Parties are formed of from ten to several hundred. Before they commence, those who are to take a part in the play must provide each his share of staking, or things which are set apart; and one leader for each party.

1

Each leader then appoints one of each company to be

stake-holder.

Each man and each woman (women sometimes engage in the sport) is armed with a stick, one end of which bends somewhat like a small hoop, about four inches in circumference, to which is attached a net work of raw-hide, two inches deep, just large enough to admit the ball which is to be used on the occasion.Two poles are driven in the ground at a distance of four hundred paces from each other, which serves as goals for the two parties. It is the endeavor of each to take the ball to his hole.

The party which carries the

ball and strikes its pole wins the game.

The warriors, very scantily attired, young and brave fantastically painted-and women, decorated with feathers, assemble around their commanders, who are generally men swift on the race. They are to take the ball either by running with it or throwing it in the air. As the ball falls in the crowd the excitement begins.The clubs swing and roll from side to side, the players run and shout, fall upon and tread upon each other, and in the struggle some get rather rough treatment.

When the ball is thrown some distance on each side, the party standing near instantly pick it up, and run at full speed with three or four after him at full speed.

The others send their shouts of encouragement to their own party. "Ha! ha! yah!" "A-ne-gook!" and

these shouts are heard even from the distant lodges, for children and all are deeply interested in the exciting scene. The spoils are not all on which their interest is fixed, but is directed to the falling and rolling of the crowds over and under each other. The loud and merry shouts of the spectators, who crowd the doors of the wigwams, go forth in one continued peal, and testify to their happy state of feeling.

The players are clothed in fur. They receive blows whose marks are plainly visible after the scuffle. The hands and feet are unincumbered, and they exercise them to the extent of their power; and with such dexterity do they strike the ball that it is sent out of sight. Another strikes it on its descent, and for ten minutes at a time the play is so adroitly managed that the ball does not touch the ground.

No one is heard to complain, though he be bruised severely, or his nose come in close communion with a club. If the last mentioned catastrophe befell him, he

is

up in a trice, and sends his laugh forth as loud as the rest, though it be floated at first on a tide of blood.

It is very seldom, if ever, that one is seen to be angry because he has been hurt. If he should get so, they