The javelin is made of three parts, the shaft and the two barbs.  The shaft is of wood, four feet long, round and smooth.  An inch from one end a section three inches long is cut into both sides of the shaft a quarter of an inch deep, and the bottom and sides made smooth.  The barbs are formed from two small branches cut from a tree or shrub so as to preserve three inches of the stem from which the branch forks; the branch is cut so as to be five inches long and is made flat on the inner side.  The stem is made flat on both sides; a flange is made on the outer side.  Several pieces of leather are cut, a quarter of an inch wide and an inch long; these are bound for half their length to the inner and flat side of the branch so as to leave the ends free, which are bent up and stand like teeth along the barb.  The stems of the barbs are now fitted into the sections cut on both sides of the shaft so that the barbs point backward on each side of the shaft, and are firmly bound in place on the shaft.  About three inches from the other end of the shaft a band is cut around the shaft but not very deeply.  The two javelins are made as nearly alike as possible in justice to the players.

Directions.—­A level course from North to South and from fifty to one hundred feet long.  Four players; two stand at the north end of the course and two at the south end.  The one whose place is toward the East on the north and the one who stands toward the East on the south end are partners.  Both of these players should wear a red band about the head, as red is the color of the East.  The two players who stand toward the West at the two ends are partners, and these should wear yellow bands about their heads, yellow being the color of the West.  The opponents in the game, therefore, stand side by side.  Partners cannot help each other in the playing, but both players count for their side all the points they make.

The javelin is grasped by the middle, the barbed end toward the back, and the plain rounded end is shot toward the hoop.

The number of points that will constitute the game should be decided upon before beginning the game.  Ten is the usual number among the Indians.  Lots should be drawn as to which of the four players should be the first to throw the hoop.  The one who draws the hoop then takes one of the javelins, and the player whose place is beside him takes the other javelin.

THE GAME

At a signal, the players with the javelins and the hoop start on a run along the course; the one with the hoop throws it a little upward with all his force and both players watch the course of the hoop, having their javelins ready to hurl at the hoop the instant they think they can reach it.  If the javelin passes through the hoop and stops it so that it falls on the shaft below the band that was cut thereon, that throw counts two.  If the hoop is caught on one of the barbs, that counts one.  If the shaft