Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-11-02
Hare and Hounds.

This game is played chiefly by school-boys
from ten to sixteen years old. though often
boys who do not belong to the school are
members of the "hunt" ard very often, too,
the little fellows are the best runners in the
party.
The boys divide themselves into two par
ties. each having its champion runner" and
lots are drawn as to which of these runners
shall be the 'hare" III the first hunt of the
season, afterward they go by turn.
The rest of the boys are the hounds, and
the other champion is the huntsman who
marshas them to the meet" (Which is usual
ly the school play-grounds), gives the signal
for the start. calls them of by shrill whistle
when they get on the wrong scent, and, in
fact. is master of the hounds, par ercclthce.
The hare is provided with small, open
satchel or pouch, slung across his shoulder,
and filed with bits of white paper about all
inch square-heavy paper that the wind will
not carry away. 1t is the privilege of the
small boys who are too little to take part in
the hunt to prepare these bits Of paper, and
for day or two before a run" they have
great fun in preparing scent" they call
it.
The hare is also allowed five minutes head
start, and is allowed to choose his own course,
but is obliged to scatter the bits of white pa
per at short intervals all along the way he
follow. The five minutes given him he usual
ly spends in seeking for some obsure place at
which he leaves little package of yetOW or
blue paper to denote the starting-point.
This may be some blocks away, or up
side street. or Just around the corner he has
his choice, and a free opportunity to seek it,
rs the hounds" 90 within doors till the five
minutes are up. Then the huntsman cries
'whoop! halloo! :" and away they all bound
hi4l,.r 4 tIitbar caEEipe, fill thav find the
package of colored paper (Which they are
obliged to do before they can start) the find
er must cry ''hark forward then off they
I go, on the scent.
Sometimes so long time is taken up in
finding the starting point that the hare makes
famous Roadway, and Gun double" on his
followers-that is, retrace his way for block
or two on the other side of the street Qeaving
the Lifts of paper all along of course), go
round block, or, if they are in the country
he probably makes for the woods, goes in
some distance. then turns back, perhaps, till
he finds some leafy tree, up which he climbs
and hides himself till the hounds" have gone
by; anything to put them off the track.
When the hare has gone far enough, and
wishes to return, especial care must be taken,
rs, if he is seen. the hounds can rush after
him, cross lots" and woe betide him if he is
caught He is no longer champion, but has
3
er," and cannot even be one of the hounds
till he has paid q certain forfeit demanded by
rule-usualy something good to eat.
If the hare gets successfully home to the
y-ground, the opposite party has TO stand
treat !" so you may imagine how hard each
side strives to win. 1t is a capital game when
really played according to rules, and English
boys think the rules half the sport. 1t has
been played for several generations, an old
nnlx in, EnulanH lnf w
English boys have gone, or English games are
known.
| should not wonder if some of the boy
readers of St. Nicholas already know about
this game, since so many of their English
cousins come to this country. If so, this ac'
count must be for those who have not heard
of it.
In Scotland think boys enjoy the game
fully as much as in England, keep closer tC
the rules. and welcome each hunting-day as
eagerly as the first one of the season. Wednes
day and Saturday afternoons are usually
chosen for hunts though sometimes an in
dulgent teacher, will give the whole school NJ
extra half-hohday for ''hunt'
Does it seem strange to think of having only
a half of Saturday for play?' 1t is almost {
universal custom. at least in Scotch country
places, to have school on Wednesday ant
Saturday mornings till noon, giving the res
of those days for holiday, and boys ther'
seem to like it so. 1 suppose that is because
they have never known any other way.
But they get a great deal of enjoyment ou
of their ''halfies' (as they call those holidays)
and after school-hours as well, though schoo
does not usually close till four O'Clock. Tha
is late, isn't it? But Scotch summer day
hardly seem to have any end. All through
June, July and August (on the west coas
principally, it is as light at ten O'Clock in tn
evening as it is in our country at seven, 81
games go on all through the ''gloamin'," til
tired feet turn gladly homeward, where wea
ried heads seek downy pillows, and brigh
eyes close in the sound, healthful sleep tha
! comes so quickly to happy childhood after
long. joyous day spent in the pure, fresl
summer air.-St. Nicholas