. Indian history for young folks . arn-ings of his danger, but disregarded them all. On the morning of June 4th, the kings birthday, the discipline of thegarrison was somewhat relaxed, and many of the soldiers, without theirarms, were outside the fort, watching a game of ball between the Ojibwasand the Sacs. The gates of the fort were open, and the officers themselveswere witnessing the sport. A number of Canadian residents, traders, andfishermen, and many Indian squaws wrapped in blankets, were among thelookers-on. Indian chiefs and warriors were also apparently watching thegame—in reality th
. Indian history for young folks . arn-ings of his danger, but disregarded them all. On the morning of June 4th, the kings birthday, the discipline of thegarrison was somewhat relaxed, and many of the soldiers, without theirarms, were outside the fort, watching a game of ball between the Ojibwasand the Sacs. The gates of the fort were open, and the officers themselveswere witnessing the sport. A number of Canadian residents, traders, andfishermen, and many Indian squaws wrapped in blankets, were among thelookers-on. Indian chiefs and warriors were also apparently watching thegame—in reality their thoughts were very differently occupied. Severalbands of Ojibwas and Sacs who had recently arrived were encamped inthe woods near by. In front, the field was filled with the players. The game, called bag-gat t a way by the Ojibwas, and lacrosse by the Canadians, is an exciting one,and is a favorite with the tribes. A tall post at cither extremity of theground was the goal, or station, of the rival parties. The object of each. PONTIArs WAR. 279 was to drive the ball to the post of the opposing players. Each playerhad a bat about five feet long, with a hoop-net at the end large enough tohold the ball. All were nearly naked. The game was opened, as usual, by the ball being thrown into the airby some disinterested person in the centre of the field, when the contestfor its possession began. Sometimes, while struggling for the ball, theplayers would close together in a dense mass, then they would scatter overthe field in pursuit of it, all the while yelling and shouting at the top oftheir voices. Pushing and tripping their antagonists, or throwing themdown, they kept up the contest, the spectators applauding and enjoying italmost as much as the players. Suddenly the ball was thrown towards the fort and fell near it. Thiswas no accident, but a part of a prearranged plan for the surprise andcapture of the fort. Rushing on as if for the ball, the noisy throngcrowded through the ga
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade191, booksubjectindiansofnorthamerica
