European observers remarked that the Indians were excellent swimmers. Their style was designed for endurance, approximating what we would call a side stroke.[370] Children learned to swim while very young. Like swimming, running was a matter of balancing endurance against speed; the runner had to be able to keep jogging along easily for a day or more.[371] Gambling was less active but no less competitive. Two types of gambling games were played. One, called _Puim_, was played with 50 or 60 reeds, each about a foot long. These were shuffled and dealt out to the players in such a way that different numbers fell to each; whoever had the most was counted ahead. A man that was a skillful player at this game wore some of the reeds through his ear as a challenge to anyone who might like to try to beat him.[372] The other game was called _Hubbub_. It involved placing five bone dice, painted black on one side and white on the other, in a wooden platter, hitting the platter hard on the ground to make the dice jump up, and betting on the outcome of the color combination.[373] When this game was a contest between communities, a special arbor was built for the players who represented each group. Four poles of 16 to 20 feet high were set into the ground in a square to make this structure, and it was draped with the large quantity of wampum that was bet on the game. Hundreds of spectators would be present at an inter-tribal contest, described as having been a solemn affair. The spectators would chant “Hub Hub Hub” as the dice were being thrown, and the noise carried for a quarter of a mile.[374] Not all gambling was a great public spectacle. It was a common activity of men at all times. It was pursued with great diligence and for high stakes; a group of men might sit for twenty-four hours without interruption for sleep, drink or food, until all had systematically gambled away the totality of their possessions—including even their moccasins.[375] Gamblers invoked supernatural good will, sometimes by carrying a rock crystal charm. These were thought to be pieces of thunderbolts.[376] Gambling was usually a serious undertaking. In most cases players parted company in peace, however occasional disputes arose which led to violence and might ultimately result in killings.[377] ENTERTAINMENT Occasions for entertainment were usually activities aimed at purposes other than mere diversion. Songs, dances, and even public games had a ceremonial cast to them. A close tie-in with magic and the manipulation or propitiation of the supernatural is suggested in most cases.[378] At various times of the year great public gatherings were held, in which the members of several local groups met for feasting, dancing, and playing games. At least two such public gatherings were held each year. One was in the spring, when large numbers of people had already congregated at certain fishing places.[379]