The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1917-12-06
Neidhborhood War Game
Bv BOOTH HARRINGTON

During the daylight hours Of several
autumn Saturdays there had been Sc
we're outbreaks Of cavalry in the Scho-
field neighborhood. The sabers were
of wood; the steeds were imaginary,
and both were employed in a game
called "bonded pris'ner" by it's in
ventors, Masters Penrod Schofeld and
Samuel Williams. The pastime was
not intricate. When two enemies met,
they fenced spectacularly until the
person of one or the other was touched
by the opposing weapon; then, when
the ensuing claims Of foul play had
been disallowed and the subsequent
argument settled, the cOmbatant
touched was considered to be pris-
oner until such time as he might be
touched by the hilt of sword belong
ing to one of his own party, which af-
fected his release and restored to him
the full enjoyment of hostile activity.
Pending such rescue, however, he was
obliged to accompany the forces of his
captor whithersOever their strategical
necessities led them, which included
many strange places. For the game
was exciting, and, at its highest
pitch, would sweep out Of an alley
into a stable, out of that stable and
into a yard, out Of that yard and into
b house, and through that house with
the sound (and effect upon furnlture)
Of trampling herds. In fact, this very
similarity must have been in the mind
Of the distressed colored woman in
Mrs. Williams kitchen, when she de-
clared that she might "jes' as well try
to cook right spang in the middle O.
the stock yards.'
All up and down the neighbOrhOod
the campaigns were waged, accom-
panied by the martial clashing of
wood and by many clamorous argu-
ments.
You're a pris'ner, Roddy Bitts!"
II am notv'
"You are, tool I touched you"
"Where, I'd like to know"
ION the sleeve"
"You did notl I never felt 1t. I
guess I'd a felt it, wouldn't ~
'What If you didn't? touched you.
and you're bonded. I leave it to Sam
Williams"
"Yah! Course you would! He's on
your sidel leave it to Herman"
mo, you won't! If you can't show
any sense about it, we'll do It over,
and I guess you'll see whether you
feel it or notl There! Now, guess
you"
Jaw, squash!"
Strangely enough, the undoubted
champion proved to be the youngest
and darkest of all the combatants,
one Verman, colored, brother to Her
man, and substantially under the size
to which his nine years entitled him.
Verman was unfortunately tongue
tied, but he was valiant beyond all
others, and, in spite Of every handi-
cap, he became at once the chief sup
port of his own party and the despair
of the opposition.
On the third Saturday this opposi-
ton had been worn down by the sue
cessive captures Of Maurice Levy and
George Bassett until it consisted Of
only Sam Williams and Penrod.
Hence, it bchooved these two to be
wary, lest they be wiped out altogeth-
er; and Sam was dismayed, indeed,
upon cautiously scouting round a cor
ner, of his own stable, to find himself
skillful Verman, who was acting as
an outpost, or picket, of the enemy.
Verman Immediately fell upon Sam,
horse and foot, and Sam would have
fed but dared not, for fear he might
be touched from the rear. Therefore,
he defended himself as best he could,
and there followed lusty whacking,
In the course of which Vermans hat,
a relic and too large, fell from his
head, touching Sans weapon In fall
ing.
"Therel" painted Sam, desisting i'm
mediately. THAT counts! You're
bonded, Verman.'
"Aim meewerW Verman protested.
Interpreting this as "Ain't NEITHER
Fam invented law to suit the occa-
sion. Eyes, You are; that's the rule,
verman. I touched your hat with my
sword and your hats just the same
as you"
"Imm mop!" Verman insisted.
Eyes, it u.s." said Sam, already
warmly convinced (by his own state
ment) that he was in the right. Ills
ten herel If I hit you on the shoe,
it would be the same as hitting you,
wouldn't it, guess it'd count If I
hit you on the shoe, wouldn't it7 Well,
q hats just the same as shoes. Hon.
est, that's the rule, Verman, and you're
q pris'ner."
Now, in the arguing part Of the
game, Vermanss impeachment co-operat-
ed with native amiability to render
him far less effective than In the
actual combat. He chuckled, and
coded the point.
- Jaw VII" he said, and cheerfully
followed his .captor to a hidden place
among some bushes in the front yard,
where PenrOd lurked.