V

I-OU’-TIN

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—­This game belongs to the class of guessing games.  The form here presented is adapted from the game as played by the Omaha, Otoe, Ponca and Pawnee tribes, among whom it is a favorite.

Properties.—­A standard, or the camp flagstaff can be used; a blanket or rug; three official scarfs, one blue, one green, one white; two wands, one decorated with blue and the other with green; eight tally-rods, ornamented at one end with red tassels; two small balls of a light, soft material, hair or wool; a drum; six decorated drum-sticks; rosettes of blue and of green; strips of blue and green paper.

[Illustration]

Directions.—­A fairly level open space large enough for a circle of from twenty to thirty feet in diameter is marked upon the ground, in the center of which the standard is planted.  Directly west and on a line with the standard the blanket or rug is spread.  In front of the rug and on a line with the standard the drum is set.  At a little distance on each side of the drum the two wands are thrust in the ground, the one decorated with blue to the north, the one with green to the south.  On the rug back of the drum the eight tally-rods are laid in a bunch, with the butts of the rods toward the east.  At the butts of the rods are placed the two little balls.

The players draw lots as to which side they are to belong.  This is done by putting the green and blue strips of paper in a receptacle and each one drawing a strip.  Those who draw blue belong to the north side; those who draw green, to the south side.  Each player must then fasten a rosette, of the color of the side to which he or she belongs, on the shoulder; those who belong to the north side must put the blue rosette on the right shoulder, and those who belong to the south side must put the green rosette on the left shoulder.

Officers.—­Two Judges; a Custodian; two Guessers; six Singers.

The players on the north side choose from among their number one who is to be their Judge; the players on the south side choose one for their Judge.  It is the duty of the Judges to select the Custodian, the six Singers, the two Guessers; to preserve order, decide when there are disputes, and to lead in the opening ceremony.

The Custodian has charge of all the properties, must place them as directed, move the drum from side to side, and at the close of the game gather all the articles required for the game and put them in a place of safe keeping for use at another time.  The Custodian wears the official white scarf tied about the waist.  This officer does not wear any rosette, as the Custodian does not belong to either side but to all who take part in the game.

The Judge on the north side must wear the blue official scarf.  This is crossed over the breast from the right shoulder, on which is the blue rosette, to the waist on the left side, where it is tied.  The Judge on the south side wears the green official scarf.  This is crossed over the breast from the left shoulder, where is the green rosette, to the waist at the right side, where it is tied.