Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1898

page_text: Two sides of four each (or lesser equal number, if desired) are to be chozen,
either by drawing lots or by choice, and every player having been supplied with a
shooting ball, the sides retire behind their respective fortresses, from whence all
the players must fire their first shot. The players now proceed to number,"
according to the figure on their ball, the alternate numbers being on opposite
sides. A referee having been appointed, he takes the "One-foot measure
(Fig. 10) in hand, and standing at the half-way flag, gives the signal to start.
"
On the signal being given, the player who has "No.1") ball, starts off with a shot
at the octagonal ball, or anywhere else he thinks better for scientific purposes; he
is followed by "No. 2" and so on until all the players are in the field. Then the
battle proceeds in accordance with the following rules,-victory resting with
whichever side first drives the octagonal ball over the enemy's bridge and into the
fort.
I.) Every player must fire his first shot from behind his fortress.
II.) The second and subsequent shots are to be taken from the spot where the
ball is resting, when the player's next turn comes.
III.) If any ball hits the octagonal, and turns up a number different from the
one already up, then, the referee shall measure that (or lesser if desired) number of
feet towards the enemy's fort, (or in any other direction the player choozes) and
move the octagonal ball accordingly.
IV.) If any player, during the term of his operation, touches, or even causes
to move, any other shooting ball whatsoever, he cannot claim. any score for that
venture, with the exception, perhaps, of a few inches which the octagonal ball may
have rolled.
V.) If the octagonal, when hit, does not definitely show a number, then the
referee, who represents "The Powers," shall, with the ball which is in play,
have one or more shots, until doubt no longer exists. (In the absence of a referee,
the number "four" should be agreed upon, to be the score in such cases, it being
half the highest number on the ball.)
VI.) If the octangular should happen to roll right round once, turning up the
same number again, it shall be counted a different number and may be claimed by
the player.
VII.) In the event of any ball going off the field of play, the next shot of the
owner must be taken from the point on the edge of the ground, nearest to the spot
where it stopped rolling.
VIII.) The moat extends to the entire length of the fort frontage, and it is only
possible to gain access to the fort, by crossing the bridge.
IX.) If, in the attempt to cross the bridge, (or in any other endeavour, provided
the octagonal ball is on the fort side of the Red-Cross flag) the player's ball shall
fall into the enemy's moat, it shall be taken out and placed three feet from the
mouth of the bridge, and there await its next turn. Should a similar accident befall
the octagonal ball, it shall, in every such case, be placed directly opposite the
entrance to the bridge, at a distance of twelve inches therefrom.
X.) The moat is an impediment to the attacking force only.
XI.) If it shall happen that the octagonal ball rests on the bridge, and one of
the defenders of that fort knock it through the gate; this shall not be counted
victory for the attacking force, but the ball must be brought out, as before, and
placed twelve inches from the bridge.
XII. The score which carries the octagonal ball as far as the enemy's moat, shall
only extend to the mouth of the bridge, and on this position being reached, all
measuring is suspended until the defending party have driven the octagonal back
as far as the Red-Cross flag. The bridge must be crossed by physical force.
XIII.) The Red-Cross" Institution is recognised and upheld by both Turks
and Greeks, and there are certain privileges connected with it: if therefore, any of

page_text: the attacking force, shall seek the shelter of the the Red-Cross flag, and go into
the ring; each and every player, so doing, shall have two consecutive shots instead
of one, when his turn comes round again; and further, he may come out of the ring
at any point he wishes.
XIV.) The shelter of the red cross is not available in front of your own fort.
XV.) Under no circumstances whatsoever is it allowable to repeat a shot; and if
a player moves his ball, intentionally, out of turn, it shall count as his next shot.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(i.) An out-door game of skill, as minutely described above, based on the
fortunes of warfare; the various obstacles, facilities, successes and reverses being
supplied by means of the rules to be observed, in the execution thereof.
(ii) The introduction of a Red-Cross Institution into out-door games of skill.
Dated this 11th day of January 1808
GEORGE KNAGGS