If this be done, he changes places with the guard. The guard
may only tag a player, however, within the limits of the square
surrounding the stake, beyond which he may not go; and he may do this
only after he has replaced his own bag on top of the stake.

[Illustration diagram: STAKE GUARD]

Any player failing to recover his bag at once will watch for an
opportunity to do so when the guard is next occupied in replacing his
own bag. Any player thus waiting for his bag may linger near the
boundaries of the center square.

Should the guard succeed in tagging a player within the square, that
player must at once place his own bag on the stake; and the guard must
try to get his bag and escape from the square before this new guard
can place his bag and tag him. As soon as a player recovers his bag
and escapes from the center square, he should go at once to the
starting line, and may throw again immediately for the center bag. The
game progresses better, however, if all of the throwing be done
simultaneously, the returning players waiting for a signal from the
leader before throwing.

As players become proficient, the game may be made more
skillful and interesting by increasing the distance between the
throwing line and the stake, and also by lessening the size of
the square drawn around the stake, in which the guard is
confined.

STEALING STICKS

(See also _Prisoner's Base_.)

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

The ground is divided into two equal parts, with a small goal marked
off at the rear of each part, in which six sticks are placed. Each
player who reaches the enemy's goal safely may carry one stick back to
his own goal, and may not be caught while carrying it back. If caught
in the enemy's territory before reaching the goal, a player must
remain a prisoner in the goal until touched by one of his own side;
neither may be caught while returning. Any player may catch any
opponent, except under the rules just stated. No stick may be taken by
a side while any of its men are prisoners. The game is won by the side
gaining all of the sticks.

[Illustration diagram: STEALING STICKS]

This game is known also by the name of Scots and English and
probably originated in border warfare. The players sometimes
contribute some article of wearing apparel to the pile of
property that is to be stolen instead of using sticks for the
purpose. Caps a