Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/90

the crowd and spread out over the plain. A single post was planted for goal; and without further ceremony, one of the chiefs advanced to the centre, flung up the ball, and at once retreated. Immediately a wild scene of struggling and confusion ensued, as the little bone of contention was struck at, caught, carried and thrown from one side to the other. Every player yelled at the top of his voice, and with frantic leaps and dashes, chased and fought for the ball, tumbling over each other, kicking, and wrestling with might and main. The spectators roared with laughter; the garrison forgot all else but watching the sport. Several times the ball shot high into the air, and descending fell inside the pickets, much to the delight of the garrison, who then had a near view of the struggle. Gradually the body of players neared the fort, pell-mell after the ball. Suddenly it again soared into the air, and fell near the pickets of the fort, while the players made a rush to the gate, followed by the warriors who were spectators; the war whoop rang over the plain; the ball-sticks were flung away; the squaws threw open their blankets, and the players snatched the tomahawks and other weapons they had concealed