Part 9 (1/2)

If the last hider gets in undetected and shouts ”Freeings!” all go out for another hide, and ”it” stays in his old position.

There are some varieties in this game, but they are not so different from the one given as to make them worth describing.

LEAP FROG

is distinctly an athletic game, but it nevertheless requires that quality of brains called ”judgment.” The boy who does not know leap frog has something good to learn, and it is for him I am writing this.

One boy turns his back to the player and, bending his head low, rests his hands on his knees. This is called ”Giving a back.” The other boy places his hands on the first boy's back and leaps over him, by straddling his legs wide apart on each side like a frog. The second boy then a.s.sumes the stooping posture, and the third boy leaps over the first and second, and the fourth over all three, one at a time, of course.

This goes on until there is no boy left who is not stooping. Then the first boy's back straightens up and he goes leaping over his fellows and again gives a back, while the second follows, and so on until they are all tired and the game ceases.

FOOT-AN'-HALF

The foot mentioned in this t.i.tle is not the foot marked on a United States standard rule, but a boyish foot enclosed in a rusty shoe and owned by the leader in the game. The boy who is ”it” is known as First Back. He stands in the proper position at a taw.

The leader tells the First Back how and where to stand, then lays his hands on the stooping shoulders and straddles over When the leader strikes, he makes a mark to show the place, and the First Back takes his place on this line. All the other boys must clear First Back from the taw line, not always an easy task if the leader is a good jumper.

When the leader's turn comes around again he marks a new taw line about a foot and a half--he uses his own foot for a measure--about eighteen inches or ”foot-an'-half” in advance of the old one. On the second jump he marks where his heels strike, and the First Back moves to that place, and the others make the leap.

So the game goes on till a player fails to clear First Back, a failure that usually results in tumbling both over. The player who fails is ”it” for the next game, which begins at once.

A variation of this game is known as ”Foot-an'-half,” with a Leader and a ”Foot-an'-half.”

In this game the First Back, who must always select the leader, picks out, instead of the best, as in the former case, the very poorest jumper. He chooses for Foot-an'-half a better player. His object in doing this is to have Foot-an'-half, who is his ally, set tasks that are beyond the ability of the boy chosen as leader.

When all is ready First Back takes a position, with one foot on either side of the taw line and his side toward the players. Foot-an'-half is the last to jump, and knowing what is expected of him, he leaps as far as he can. Where his heels come down another line is drawn. To this line First Back moves, placing a foot on either side. Now comes the test of the leader. He can now take a foot and a half, using his own foot for a rule, and jump from that point, but if any other boy can make the leap from the old taw line, the leader becomes ”it” and a new game is started.

SPANISH FLY

I have been unable to learn where the boys got this name. It is started just like the preceding game. Some player, usually one who has confidence in himself, shouts as he makes the leap, and just before his feet touch the ground: ”Spanish Fly!”

At once the fun begins in wild earnest. The boy who just shouts is regarded as leader. The second time he makes the leap he cries: ”Torchlight” and makes the jump with only one hand on First Back's shoulders, while he waves his hat in the other.

The player that fails to follow the leader's example becomes ”it.” On the third turn the leader shouts: ”Hats on deck,” and he places his cap on First Back's shoulders and goes over without knocking it off.

The next player places his cap on top of the leader's and goes over.

If there are many boys the hats pile up and the last jumper has a hard proposition to face, but if he succeeds he has a second try when he removes his own hat or cap without knocking the others off; and so it goes on till all the hats are removed.

If this trick is successfully completed, and it rarely ever is, the leader goes over again, this time shouting: ”Hats full of water.” As he leaps, he turns his hat so that it rests upside down on his head.

If all the players succeed in doing this without losing their hats, the next cry is ”Hats in the water.” As the leader goes over he shakes his hat off and all the others must follow his example.

When the hats are all in the water the leader must jump over First Back and alight on one foot without touching the hats. Then, without touching his raised foot to the ground, he must hop to his own hat, and kneeling down, pick it up with his teeth, turn his back to taw and, with a head toss, throw the hat over First Back.

If any error should be made, the one making it becomes ”it.” Each player must take his turn at every change made by the leader.

There is good sport in this game, if it is played in the right spirit.