INDIAN CHILDREN PLAYING "BUFFALO."—Drawn by W. M. Cary.
THE GAME OF "BUFFALO."
In inventing games, and playing them heartily too, the Indian children of the western plains are fully as active as their little white brothers and sisters of the east.
One of the favorite games among the boys of the great Sioux nation is that of "Buffalo," a game that may be played by any number; but while as many as choose may act as hunters, only two, and they the largest and strongest, can be buffaloes. These two procure a couple of buffalo-robes as nearly perfect as possible, and, going a short distance from camp, put them on, get down on their hands and knees, and pretend to be feeding. Then the hunters, each armed with a bow and a quiver of blunt-headed arrows, creep cautiously toward their game, taking pains to keep on the leeward side of the feeding animals.
Taking advantage of every hummock and tuft of grass to conceal their approach, the hunters finally get within bow-shot of the make-believe buffaloes. At a signal a flight of arrows is discharged at the hairy monsters, and they in turn, apparently maddened by the pain of their wounds, charge upon the hunters, bellowing with rage, and knocking down with their heads any whom they happen to overtake.
Finally the buffaloes are supposed to be killed; they roll over and lie perfectly still, while the hunters, with loud rejoicings, remove their skins, which they bear in triumph to camp. Then all, hunters and buffaloes, unite in a wild dance in imitation of their fathers when they return from a successful hunt, and the game is ended.