-of-fact way
as to lead one to wonder at the halo of heroism that surrounds most
cases of life-saving. Hardly a player but has several rescues to his
credit, which he looks upon as a series of trifling services rendered to
a fellow mortal, and no more.

As a pastime water polo is among the leaders. Hard and exhausting it
may be, but there is an exhilaration in dashing about the pool, fighting
one's way to goal, that no other game gives. And it has a feature that
appeals strongly to the man who has attained manhood and its numerous
responsibilities--the rarity of accidents. Bruises and knockouts one
gets a-plenty, but those serious injuries which mar football, hockey and
lacrosse are totally unknown.

ITS EVOLUTION IN AMERICA

There is a belief that a game similar to water polo was played by the
ancients, but no actual proof of it has been found. Rules were first
formulated in England in 1870, and we adopted them in America about
1890, but our present game bears absolutely no resemblance to the one
that was then played. In the latter, points were scored by throwing an
inflated rubber ball nine inches in diameter through an open goal marked
by uprights and a cross-bar; and passing was the feature of the game.
Americans found it unsuited. The few available tanks were so small that
there was no place for action, and the outdoor season was too short to
be satisfactory.

The idea was then conceived of changing the goal into a solid surface,
four feet by one in size, and to oblige the scorer to touch the ball to
the goal while holding it, instead of passing it.

The innovation met ready favor, but, as may be imagined, transformed the
game. From an open passing one water polo became one of close formations
and fierce scrimmages. These, at first, were disorderly scuffles, where
weight and brute strength reigned supreme, but little by little strict
rules were formulated to eliminate rough tactics, and then science
became an important factor.

In 1897 a man entered the field who was destined to revolutionize the
system of play.

Harold H. Reeder, of the late Knickerbocker Athletic A.C., besides being
a good leader and a brilliant individual player, knew how to handle men.
He realized that in a growing sport new ideas would mean development,
and he made it possible for the members of his squad to experiment with
those they had. The system he used is worth a few words of explanation,
because it was accountable for the won