The ball should not be allowed to touch the ground from the time the Umpire throws it into the air until it falls at the pole after a point has been made by the ball striking the post.  It is the duty of the Umpire to go to the pole, mark the score, return with the ball to the center of the field, where he again sends it up into the air, and the game starts afresh for a second point to be made.

This game is good sport; it develops and requires skill, agility and strength.

II

TA-BE

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—­This ball game was known to a number of tribes that formerly lived on the prairies, and called by different names.  The game as here given is as it was played among the Omaha.  The opening of the game was ceremonial.  The person who performed the opening ceremony had to belong to the tribal group that had charge of the rites pertaining to the Wind, for the figure outlined on the ground by the movements of the ball in the opening ceremony was one of the symbols of the Wind.  The Wind when spoken of ceremonially was called the Four Winds, one for each of the four points of the compass.  These Four Winds were regarded as the messengers of the Giver of Life, known as Wakon’da by the Omaha and kindred tribes.  The recognition of man’s connection with the forces of Nature did not disturb the pleasure of the Indian when entering upon a game; on the contrary, it tended to enhance his happiness by bringing to his mind his dependence upon Wakon’da, together with the feeling of being in accord with the power represented by the Wind.

Properties.—­A ball about three or four inches in diameter; the Omaha and kindred tribes made the ball out of the root of the wild-grape vine.  As many sticks as there are players, the sticks to be about three feet long and crooked over at one end.  Each stick should be marked by some design invented by its owner, so that each player can identify his stick.

[Illustration:  DIAGRAM OF THE TA-BE

1 Circle showing lines made by the ball

2 Goals

3 Guardians

4 Players at the opening of the game]

Directions.—­A wide open field is best for this game.  Two goals, one at the East, the other at the West.  The goals are each made by two posts with a cross piece on top.  The path of the ball is East and West.

The officers of the game are:  an Umpire, four Guardians of the Path.  Two of the Guardians of the Path stand at the eastern goal and two at the western goal.  The two Guardians at a goal represent the two sides; one wears a yellow streamer or badge, the color of the West; the other wears a red streamer or badge, the color of the East.  A red streamer is tied to the goal at the East and a yellow streamer to the goal at the West.  It is the duty of the one who wears the color of the goal by which he stands to try and help the ball through the goal when it comes in that direction, and it is the duty of the one who wears the color of the opposite goal to prevent the ball from going through and to send it back into the field or toward the other goal.