The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-08-10

my visitor I answered that could not think Of
going to the Sault after the arrival OF
my clerks Finding himself unable to prevail
with me, he withdrew for that day; but early
the next morning he came again, bringing with
him his wife and present OF dried meat. AT
this interview, after stating that he had several
packs of beaver, for which he intended to deal
with me- he expressed second time his appre-
tensions from the numerous Indians who were
around the fort and earnestly pressed me to
consent to an immediate departure for the Sault.
AS reason for this particular request. he as
sured me that all the Indians proposed to come
In body that day to the fort to demand liquor
of the commandant, and that he wished me to
be gone before they should grow intoxicated
had made, at the period to which am now re-
ferring, much progress In the language In
which Wawatam addressed me, as to be able to
hold an ordinary conversation Ia the language In
1t but the Indian manner OF speech Is so
travagantly fgurative that 1t Is only for very
perfect master to follow and comprehend 1t en-
tlrely Had / been further advanced In this re
spect i think / should have gathered SO much
information from this, my friendly monitor as
would have put me into possession Of the de-
signs OF the enemy, and enabled me to save
others as well as myself; as 1t was 1t unfortu-
nately happened that I turned deaf ear to
long and patient, but Intellectual efforts, to
depart alone, with detected countenance and
not before they had each let fall some tears.
THE next day being the fourth of June. was
the kings birthday. The morning was sultry
Chippewa came to tell me that his nation
was going to play at baggatiway, with the Sacs
another Indian nation, for a high wager. He
invited me to witness the sport, adding that the
commandment was to be there, and would be on
the side of the Chippewas. In consequence or
this information, went to the commandant, and
expostulated with him little, representing that
the Indians might possibly have some sinister
end In view; but the commandant only smiled
at my suspicious.
1.-THE game OF baggatway which the Indians
played upon that memorable occasion LIS the most
exciting sport In which the red man could en-
gage 1t was played with bat and ball. The
bat so-called was about four feet In length and
an inch In diameter. 1t was made Of the tough
est material that could be found. At one end
1t was curved. and terminated In sort OF rack
ct or perhaps more properly ring, In which a
network of cord loosely woven The play
ers were not allowed to touch the ball with the
hand but caught 1t in this network at the end
of the bat AT either end of the ground a tall
post was planted. These posts marked the sta
ton OF the rival parties, and were sometimes
mile apart. The object OF each party was TO
defend its own post and carry the ball TO
that OF the adversary.
AT the beginning OF the game the main body
of the players assembled halfway between the
two posts. Every eye sparkles and every cheek
Is already agow with excitement The bali is
tossed high into the air and a general struggle
ensues to secure 1t as 1t descends He who sue
ceeds starts for the goal OF the adversary hold
Ing 1t high above his head The opposite party,
with merry yells, are swift to pursue. His course
Is intercepted and rather than see the ball taken
from him. he throws It, as the boy throws the
stone from the sling, as far toward the goal OF
the adversary he can. An adversary In the
game catches Ii, and sends 1t whlzzing back
In the opposite direction. Hither and thither 1t
goes: now far to the right. as far to the
left: now near to the one, now as near to the
other goal; the whole band crowdng continual
Iy after 1t In the widest confusion, until finally.
some agile figure, more fleet OF foot than the
others, succeeds In bearing 1t to the goal OF the
opposite party.
"In the heat OF the contest, when all are
running at their greatest speed IL one stumbles
and falls fifty or hundred who are in close
pursuit and unable to STOP pile over him. form
Ing mound OF human bodies, and frequently
players are so bruised as to be unable TO pro-
coed in the game.
"This game with It's attendant noise and ylo-
lence, was we'll calculated to divert the attention
OF officers and men and thus permit the Indians