(Caerosse.

ACROSSE in its origin is an Indian game, being played by
them, especially in Canada, when this country was first dis-
covered. In its old simplicity whole tribes took part, each
brave carrying two curious looking sticks with which he caught,
stopped and threw the ball with wonderful skill. The squaws

aided ina way that enabled them to taste the sweets of authority, and gave an
opportunity to pay back some of the indignity heaped upon them by their
husbands and brothers, as it was their duty to attend the players and apply the
lash to the wearied or weak-hearted who lagged behind. For miles and miles
over the prairie the game went on, and fast and furious was the fun. The
game as played by the Indians was a simple one.as compared with its present
form. Then there were fewrules. Each man was a law unto himself, and
team work was unheard of. The game is played with twelve players on a side,
each armed with astick in the shape of a shepherd’s crook. Thestick is strung
from the crook half-way down the side with string usually made of strong
leather. This forms a net by which the ball is caught and thrown; in fact, the
ball must not be touched by the hand of a player during the game.

There is also a captain, who gives directions to his men, but who is not
allowed to interfere with the ball or carry a stick. The men are arranged and
named as follows: Goal-keeper, point, cover point, three defence fielders,
center fielder, three home fielders, outside home and inside home. The game
is started by the two center fielders kneeling in the center of the field facing the
opposing goals. Their sticks are laid flat upon the ground with the backs to
each other and the ball between the crooks. The umpire gives the command
to “Play!” and the fielders strive for the ball, the one getting it throwing it to his
side, where some one is ready to stop it, and then the fun begins. The object
is to get the ball past the opponents’ goal, which consists of two upright posts
six feet high and six feet apart. The goals are 120 feet apart. A score is
counted when the ball is driven through the goal, no matter whether it be done
by an opposing player or by the defence. The ball is about three-fourths the
size of a base-ball, is made of solid sponge rubber, and is a dangerous missile
in the hands of an inexperienced player. Each side is entitled to an umpire,
or referee, who is the sole judge of all points in dispute in his field, each ampire
being allotted one-half of the ground. No runner is allowed to wear spikes in his
shoes, as, at its best, the game is a dangerous one. Lacrosse has not gained
much of a foothold among the Americans, though nearly every large city has