[Illustration: INDIAN CHILDREN PLAYING "BUFFALO."--DRAWN BY W. M. CARY.]
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.
[Begun in No. 58 of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, December 7.]
When Toby awoke, it was nearly dark, and the bustle around him told very plainly that the time for the departure was near at hand. He rubbed his eyes just enough to make sure that he was thoroughly awake, and then jumped down from his rather lofty bed, and ran around to the door of the cage to assure himself that Mr. Stubbs was safe. This done, his preparations for the journey were made.
Now Toby noticed that each one of the drivers was clad in rubber clothing, and, after listening for a moment, he learned the cause of their water-proof garments. It was raining very hard, and Toby thought with dismay of the long ride that he would have to take on the top of the monkeys' cage, with no protection whatever save that afforded by his ordinary clothing.