. The captains alternate turns in sending forth a man to
"force the city gates." The players taken from the opposing side must
thereafter work for the side to which they are taken captive, each
prisoner being placed in the line between two of the original team.
The side wins which eventually secures all of the opposing players.
The action may be made more rapid where a large number are playing by
sending out two or more players at once.

This is a Chinese game, recorded by Dr. Headland, who has
kindly supplied additional points to the author. Some
modifications for large numbers have been found advisable under
American school conditions.

FORTRESS

_10 to 100 players._

_Out of doors; gymnasium._

This is one of the very strenuous games based on the idea of
warfare. The underlying idea is exactly opposite to that of
Robbers and Soldiers, being a game of attack and defense rather
than of chase and capture.

[Illustration diagram: FORTRESS]

A fortress is marked on the ground, in the shape of a large square or
oblong, the size differing with the area at disposal and the number of
players. It should be not less than twenty-five by forty feet in
dimensions. One or more sides of this may be situated so as to be
inclosed by a wall or fence. A line should be drawn five feet inside
of the fortress boundaries and another five feet outside of it; these
mark the guard lines or limits for making prisoners. Each party
should also have its prison--a small square marked in the center of
the fortress for the defenders, and another at some distant point for
the besiegers.

The players are divided into two equal parties, each under the command
of a general, who may order his men at any time to any part of the
battle. One party of players are defenders of the fortress, and should
scatter over it at the beginning of the attack and keep a sharp
lookout on unguarded parts at any time. The other players, forming the
attacking party, scatter under the direction of their general to
approach the fortress from different directions. This may be done in a
sudden rush, or deliberately before attacking. At a signal from their
general, the besiegers attack the fortress.

The method of combat is entirely confined to engagements between any
two of the opposing players, and is in general of the nature of a "tug
of war." They may push, pull, or carry each other so long as they
remain upright; but