Diagrams II, V.)

III. The main part of playground neutral territory, with home
goals for both parties at the same end, attached or separate,
and prisons at the opposite end, either (1) on the same side of
the ground as the home goal, or (2) on the enemy's side of the
ground. (Diagrams III-IV.)

The rules for play for the second and third types of ground are
fundamentally the same, though differing in details, and they
differ from those for Diagram I. The playing qualities of the
games for the last three diagrams, however, are very distinct
because of the different methods of the enemies' approach to
each other (which make differences in the risk of "dares"), and
because of the differing risks in rescuing prisoners and taking
the enemy's goal by entry.

It has seemed best to make a selection of the typical forms,
and leave the leader of games free to choose his own. The first
form is the simplest for beginners and younger players, and
makes a good introduction to the game for such players.

Stealing Sticks is still another form of Prisoner's Base. The
main difference lies in the carrying away of the enemy's
property.

Prisoner's Base and related games are supposed to have
descended from the days of border warfare. They are very old,
and Strutt mentions a "Proclamation at the head of the
Parliamentary proceedings early in the reign of Edward the
Third, ... where it [Prisoner's Base] is prohibited in the
avenues of the palace at Westminster during the sessions of
Parliament, because of the interruption it occasioned to the
members and others in passing to and fro." The game at that
time was played by adults.

PRISONER'S BASE--I

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

[Illustration diagram: PRISONER'S BASE--I]

The ground is divided into two equal parts, with a small base or
prison marked off at the farther end of each division. From five to
fifteen players guard each side. They venture into the enemy's ground,
and, if caught, are put into the prison, where they must remain until
tagged by one of their own side who is free. Both prisoner and rescuer
may be tagged and brought back to prison before reaching their own
ground. The game is won when one side makes prisoners of all of its
opponents, or when a free man enters the opponents' prison, but