Chapter 11

Where more than thirty players are engaged, the game should start with two or more foxes.

This game has sometimes been called Lame Goose.

It is admirable for players of all ages, but, like all "dare" games, is especially good to overcome timidity. Timid children should be encouraged to venture near the fox and to take risks in giving their challenge.

LAST COUPLE OUT

(Widower; Last Pair Pass)

_11 to 31 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

An odd number of players is required for this game. One is chosen for catcher, who stands at one end of the playground with his back to the other players. The other players stand in couples in a long line behind him, facing in the same direction that he does. The catcher should be not less than ten feet in front of the first couple.

The catcher calls, "Last couple out!" when the last pair in the line runs toward the front, the right-hand one on the right side of the double line, and the left-hand one on the left side, and try to join hands in front of the catcher. The catcher may not chase them before they are in line with him, and may not turn his head to see when or from where the runners are coming. They should try to gain their end by varying the method of approach, sometimes both circling far out beyond him on either side, or one of them doing this and the other running in close toward the lines.

If the catcher succeeds in catching one of the players before that player can clasp hands with his partner, these two, catcher and caught, form a couple and take their places at the head of the line, which should move backward one place to make room for them, and the other player of the running couple becomes catcher. If neither be caught, they are free; _i.e._ out of the game.

In the Scotch and Swedish forms of this game, the title is "Widow" or "Widower," the catcher supposedly taking the part of the bereaved one and trying to get a mate. It has been suggested that the game has descended from old methods of marriage by capture.

LAST MAN

_10 to 60 players._

_Schoolroom._

This is a schoolroom adaptation of the game usually known as "Three Deep," or "Third Man." It is one of the most interesting and popular schoolroom games.

One player is chosen to be runner and another chaser. The remaining players are seated. The game starts with quite a distance between runner and chaser. The first object of the game is for the chaser to tag (touch) the runner. Should he do this, they immediately change parts, the previous chaser having to flee instantly for safety with the previous runner, now chaser, after him. The greatest sport of the game comes in, however, in the way the runner may save himself at any time from being tagged by the chaser by standing at the rear of any row of seats and calling "Last man!" As soon as he does this, the one sitting in the front row of that line of seats becomes liable to tagging by the chaser, and must instantly get up and run. As soon as he has left his seat, the entire line moves forward one seat, leaving a seat at the rear for the "last man." There may be no moving of this kind, however, until the runners are out of the aisle.

As in all running games in the class room, the seated players must keep their feet under the desks and out of the aisles.

It will be seen that all of the players must be very alert to watch the actions of the runner, but especially those sitting in the front seats, as at any moment one of them may have to become runner. The last man must never fail to call out the words "Last man!" when he takes his stand at the rear of a row of seats. He is not considered to have taken refuge until he does this.

LEADER AND FOOTER

_50 to 60 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

This is a leapfrog game. One player is chosen to be "back," and he chooses a leader, generally the poorest jumper, and a "footer"--the best jumper. A starting or "taw" line is drawn on the ground and the back stands with his side parallel to it. The other players line up in single file at some distance, with the leader at the head and the footer at the rear of the line. The footer dictates the way in which the back is to be cleared and his distance from taw. For instance, he may, having put a long distance between the back and the line, require a run of a limited number of steps, or a hop and skip (specifying the number), before the jump. The leader makes the first jump as prescribed by footer, and the others, in turn, including the footer. Any player failing in the feat becomes back. Any player who is doubtful of success may call upon the footer to perform the feat. If the footer fails, he becomes the back. If the challenge be successfully met, the one making the challenge becomes back.

LEAPFROG

The back.--Any player who bends over to make a back for others to leap over is called the "back." He must rest his hands on his knees or near them to make a firm back. It is against the rules for any player making a back to throw up his back or bend it lower while a player is leaping over it; but each player, before jumping, may say "High back!" or "Low back!" which the one who is down must adjust before the jumper starts. He then must do his best to keep the back perfectly level and still, unless the game calls for a different kind of play. In some games the back stands with his back toward the jumpers, and in others with his side toward them. If he is to stand on a certain line, he must "heel it" if with his back toward them, or, if his side be toward them, stand with one foot on either side of the line.

The jumper.--The player who leaps must lay his hands flat on the back at the shoulders and not "knuckle," _i.e._ double under his fingers. Any player transgressing this rule must change places with the back. The back must be cleared without touching him with the foot or any part of the body except the hands. Such a touch is called "spurring," and the transgressor must change places with the back if the latter stands upright before the next player can jump over him. If he does not stand upright in time, he remains back. When a leap is made from a starting line or taw, the jumper may not put his foot more than half over the line. Good jumpers will land on the toes with knees bent and backs upright, not losing the balance.

The leapfrog games here given in alphabetic order include:--

I. WITH ONE BACK: II. WITH TWO OR MORE BACKS:

Leader and Footer Bung the Bucket Leapfrog Johnny Ride a Pony Leapfrog Race Cavalry Drill Par Saddle the Nag Spanish Fly Skin the Goat

LEAPFROG

_2 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

The first player makes a back, standing either with his back or his side toward the one who is to leap over. The next player runs, leaps over the back, runs a few steps forward so as to allow space for a run between himself and the first player, and in his turn stoops over and makes a back. This makes two backs. The third player leaps over the first back, runs and leaps over the second, runs a short distance and makes a third back, etc., until all the players are making backs, when the first one down takes his turn at leaping, and so on indefinitely.

VARIATION.--This may be made much more difficult by each player moving only a few feet in advance of the back over which he has leaped, as this will then leave no room for a run between the backs, but means a continuous succession of leaps by the succeeding players.

LEAPFROG RACE

_10 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

The players are lined up in two or more single files, as for the simplest form of leapfrog, but the game is a race between the different files.

The first player takes his place on the starting or taw line and makes a "back," with his head away from the file. The next player immediately jumps over and makes a back one pace forward of the first player. The third jumps over the backs of the two and makes a third back, and so on until all are down, when the first player jumps over all in succession, but steps one side when he has vaulted over the last back. The others all follow.

The line wins which is first reduced to one player in the position of "back." In other words, when every player in the line has jumped over the back of every other player.

A burlesque on this game, which has in it some good sport and exercise, consists in crawling between the feet of the players instead of jumping over their backs. This may be done for every player in the line, or the two methods alternated, leaping over the back of one, crawling between the feet of the next, etc.

LETTING OUT THE DOVES

_3 to 30 players._

_In doors or out of doors._

This game is particularly suitable for young children. The players stand in groups of three. One in each group, usually the smallest, represents a dove; one a hawk, larger than the dove or a swifter runner; and the third the owner of the birds. The dove stands in front of the owner, holding her by the hand. The hawk stands behind, also held by the hand. The owner throws the dove from her with a gesture of the hand, first toward herself and then away, as a dove might be tossed for flight in the air, and the little dove sails away, with arms floating like wings. When the dove has a sufficient start, so that the larger and swifter hawk may not get her too easily, the owner throws the hawk in the same way. The hawk runs with outstretched arms also as though flying, and tries to catch the dove, but is obliged to run over exactly the same route as the dove. At her discretion the owner claps her hands as a signal for the two pet birds to return to her, the dove trying to get back without being caught by the hawk. The clapping for the return of the birds is always done with hollowed palms to make a deep sound. The owner gives this when the dove has reached the farthest point to which she thinks it best for her to go, the judgment for this being determined sometimes by the gaining of the hawk on his prey. The dove may not turn to come home until the signal be heard.

It is well to make an imaginative atmosphere for little children for this game by telling them of the way doves and hawks are trained as pets.

This game is played by little girls in China, and is one reported by Dr. Headland in his charming book on the _Chinese Boy and Girl_. Some additional points are given here, kindly supplied by Dr. Headland to the author.

LOST CHILD (THE)

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Schoolroom; parlor; playground; gymnasium._

This is a quiet game designed to test the memory, and makes an interesting variation when players are tired of active games. The players are all seated, with the exception of one, who is sent from the room. Or if the game be played in an open playground, this one player may blind his eyes in a corner of a wall or fence or behind a bush. When this player is well out of sight and hearing, the leader or teacher beckons one of the players, who leaves the group and hides. If in the schoolroom, this may be done under the teacher's desk or in a wardrobe. The rest of the players then change their seats, and the one who is blinding is called back and tries to tell which player is hidden. When successful, this first guesser may be seated and another chosen to blind. Otherwise the first guesser blinds again.

MASTER OF THE RING

_2 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

A circle is drawn on the ground. The players stand shoulder to shoulder inside the circle, with arms folded either on the chest or behind the back. The play starts on a signal, and consists in trying to push one's neighbor with the shoulders out of the circle. Any player overstepping the line drawn on the ground drops out of the game. Any player who unfolds his arms or falls down is also out of the game.

The Master of the Ring is he who in the end vanquishes all of the others.

MAZE TAG

(Line Tag; Right Face)

_15 to 100 players._

_Playground; gymnasium; house party._

All but two of the players stand in parallel lines or ranks, one behind the other, with ample space between each two players and each two ranks; all the players in each rank clasp hands in a long line. This will leave aisles between the ranks, and through these a runner and chaser make their way.

The sport of the game consists in sudden changes in the direction of the aisles, brought about by one player who is chosen as leader and stands aside, giving the commands, "Right face!" or "Left face!" at his discretion. When one of these commands is heard, all of the players standing in the ranks drop hands, face in the direction indicated, and quickly clasp hands with the players who are then their neighbors on the right and left. This brings about a change of direction in the aisles, and therefore necessitates a change of direction in the course of the two who are running.

The success of the game depends largely upon the judgment of the leader in giving the commands, "Right (or left) face!" They should be given quickly and repeatedly, the leader often choosing a moment when the pursuer seems just about to touch his victim, when the sudden obstruction put in his way by the change in the position of the ranks makes necessary a sudden change of direction on his part. The play continues until the chaser catches his victim, or until a time limit has expired. In either case two new players are then chosen from the ranks to take the places of the first runners.

It is a foul to break through the ranks or to tag across the clasped hands.

MENAGERIE

_10 to 60 or more players._

_Indoors._

This game may be one of the funniest possible for a house party. The players sit around the room or in a circle. One player who has ready wit is chosen to be ringmaster, or there may be different showmen or ringmasters for each group of animals. The ringmaster takes his place in the center, and will be more effective if furnished with a whip. He shows off in turn different troops of animals, pointing out from two to eight players for each troop, according to the number who are taking part. These must come forth into the center of the ring and go through their paces as indicated by the showman. He may thus display the growling and clawing bear, the hopping and croaking frog, the leaping kangaroo, the roaring and ramping lion, the humped camel, the stubborn and braying donkey, the screaming and wing-flapping eagle, the hooking and mooing cow, the neighing and galloping horse, etc.

For instance, the ringmaster may say: "Ladies and gentlemen: I will now exhibit to you a marvelous troup of snorting hippopotami. Such graceful carriage has never before been seen in these ponderous animals. They have learned to gambol in our Northern clime with even greater grace than they showed in their native jungles. They show almost human intelligence. Sit up there!" (cracking his whip) "Snort to the right! Snort to the left!" etc.

When all of the animals in the menagerie have been displayed, they may all join in a circus parade, each retaining his distinctive character.

MIDNIGHT

(Twelve O'clock at Night)

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium; classroom._

One player is the fox and the others sheep. The fox may catch the sheep only at midnight. The game starts with the fox standing in a den marked in one corner of the playground, and the sheep in a sheepfold marked in the diagonally opposite corner. The fox leaves his den and wanders about the meadow (playground), whereupon the sheep also come forth and scatter around, approaching as close to the fox as they dare. They keep asking him, "What time is it?" and he answers with any hour he chooses. Should he say "Three o'clock," or "Eleven o'clock," etc., they are safe; but when he says "Midnight!" they must run for the sheepfold as fast as possible, the fox chasing them. Any sheep caught changes places with the fox, and the game is repeated. When played in a class room, only a few children should be selected for sheep.

This game is enjoyed by children of almost any age.

It affords an excellent opportunity for daring and for finesse. Timid children should be encouraged to take risks, approaching near the fox, and surrounding him on all sides. All should be taught to make the chase varied and difficult for the fox, instead of running in a straight line for the goal. The fox has opportunity for much stratagem in choosing for the moment when he says "Midnight!" one in which the players are standing where he could easily catch or corner them. He may also gain advantage by appearing to start in one direction and suddenly changing to another. These elements add zest to the game, cultivate prowess, and make the children brighter and more alert.

MOON AND MORNING STARS

_5 to 20 players._

_Out of doors._

This game is played when the sun is shining. One of the players is the moon, and takes her place in a large area of shadow, such as would be cast by a large tree or a house. As the moon belongs to the night, she may not go out into the sunshine.

The other players are morning stars, and as they belong to the daylight, their place is in the sun. The morning stars dance around in the sunlight, venturing occasionally into the shadow where the moon is, saying--

"O the Moon and the Morning Stars, O the Moon and the Morning Stars! Who dares to tread--Oh, Within the shadow?"

The moon tries to catch or tag them while they are in the shadow. Any star so caught changes places with the moon.

This game is played by the little Spanish children.

MOTHER, MAY I GO OUT TO PLAY?

This is one of the old traditional dramatic games and is found in many countries.

One player represents a mother, and the rest are her children, and stand in front of her in a line. One or all of them ask the mother the following question, the mother answering as indicated:--

"Mother, may I go out to play?"

"No, my child; it is such a wet day."

"Look how the sun shines, mother."

"Well, make three round courtesies and be off away."

The children thereupon make three "round courtesies" by whirling around and dipping down suddenly to spread the skirts out. They then run away and pretend to play. Soon they return and knock at the door. The mother asks:--

"What have you been doing all this time?"

"Brushing Jennie's hair and combing Jennie's hair."

"What did you get for it?"

"A silver penny."

"Where's my share of it?"

"The cat ran away with it."

"Where's the cat?"

"In the wood."

"Where's the wood?"

"Fire burnt it."

"Where's the fire?"

"Moo cow drank it."

"Where's the moo cow?"

"Sold it for a silver penny."

"What did you do with the money?"

"Bought nuts with it."

"What did you do with them?"

"You can have the nutshells, if you like."

The last words being rather disrespectful, the mother at once chases the children, calling, "Where's my share of the silver penny?" The players being chased, reply, "You may have the nutshells!" The mother thus catches the children, one after another, and pretends to punish them.

MOTHER, MOTHER, THE POT BOILS OVER!

_5 to 11 players._

_Indoors; out of doors._

This is a traditional dramatic game.

One player represents an old witch, another a mother, another the eldest daughter, another a pot boiling on the hearth, and the balance are children, named for the days of the week, Monday, Tuesday, etc.

The old witch hides around the corner of a house or other convenient place, and peeps out, while the mother says to her eldest daughter, "I am going away, and I want you to let nothing happen to your sisters." To the others she says, "Monday, you take care of Tuesday, and Tuesday, you take care of Wednesday," etc., until she comes to the last child, when she says, "And Saturday, take care of yourself." Then to the eldest, "Be sure and not let the old witch take any of your sisters. You can also get the dinner, and be sure not to let the pot boil over."

The mother then goes away and stays at a distance out of sight. As soon as the mother has gone, the old witch, stooping, lame, and walking with a stick, comes and raps with her knuckles on the supposed door. The eldest daughter says; "Come in! What do you want?"

_Old Witch._ Let me light my pipe at your fire; my fire is out.

_Eldest Daughter._ Yes, if you will not dirty the hearth.

_Old Witch._ No, certainly; I will be careful.

The eldest daughter lets her in and goes about her work, setting the table or looking on the shelf, when the old witch suddenly stoops down and blows the ashes on the hearth; whereupon the pot makes a hissing sound as though boiling over, and the old witch catches hold of Monday and runs away with her.

The eldest daughter cries out, "Mother, mother, the pot boils over!"

The mother calls back, "Take the spoon and skim it."

"Can't find it."

"Look on the shelf."

"Can't reach it."

"Take the stool."

"Leg's broken."

"Take the chair."

"Chair's gone to be mended."

Mother, "I suppose I must come myself!"

The mother then returns, looks about, and misses Monday. "Where is my Monday?" she demands of the eldest daughter.

The daughter says, "Under the table." The mother pretends to look under the table, and calls "Monday!" then says, "She isn't there." The daughter suggests various places, up on the shelf, down in the cellar, etc., with the same result. Finally, the eldest daughter cries and says: "Oh, please, mother, please! I couldn't help it, but some one came to beg a light for her pipe, and when I looked for her again she had gone, and taken Monday with her."

The mother says, "Why, that was the old witch!" She pretends to beat the eldest daughter, and tells her to be more careful in the future, and on no account to let the pot boil over. The eldest daughter weeps, promises to be better, and the mother again goes away. The old witch comes again, and the same thing is repeated until each child in turn has been taken away, the old witch pretending each time to borrow a different article that is used around the fire, as the poker, the kettle, etc. Finally, the eldest daughter is carried off too.

The pot, which has boiled over with a hissing sound each time the old witch has come to the hearth, now boils over so long and so loudly that the mother hears it and comes back to see what is the matter. Finding the eldest daughter gone too, the mother goes in search of them to the witch's house. On the way she meets the old witch, who tries to turn her from her path by speaking of various dangers.

The mother asks of her, "Is this the way to the witch's house?" and the witch replies, "There is a red bull that way."

"I will go this way."

"There is a mad cow that way."

"I will go this way."

"There is a mad dog that way."

Finally, the mother insists on entering the witch's house. The witch refuses to let her in, saying--

"Your shoes are too dirty."

"I will take them off."

"Your stockings are too dirty."

"I will take them off."

"Your feet are too dirty."

The mother grows angry at this, pushes her way into the house, and calls her children. The witch is supposed, prior to this, to have cooked the children, made them into pies, and put them in a row, naming them apple pie, peach pie, etc. They stand or sit with their faces or heads covered.