The scene of the accompanying sketch is laid in winter, when the game is played on the ice or frozen snow. It is begun by two of the players, one from each side, running abreast of one another, and rolling in advance a ring, which is cut out of stone, and is from two to four inches in diameter. The players follow it up with their tchungkees, spears or sticks about six feet long, with little projections of leather an inch and a half in length placed at intervals on the sides. These implements they throw before them as they run, sliding them along the ground beside the ring, and endeavoring to place the stick in such a position that the ring will fall upon it when it stops rolling, receiving one of the leather projections through it. They count for game one, two, or three, etc., from the point, according to the number on which it has fallen. The winner rolls in the next run, and the loser is counted out, while another from his side takes his place.
Thus the game proceeds until the sides have had their innings, the largest count being the game. They sometimes become so excited that they bet away everything they possess, and have even been known to sell themselves into slavery for a given period.
The game of tchungkee originated with the Mandans, a race now almost extinct. Prince Maximilian, in his travels among the North American Indians, called them the "gentlemen of the plains," from their courteous manners and gallantry to strangers.
MR. BARNUM'S GREAT SHOW IN WINTER-QUARTERS.