Two Equal Forces
which take their places at opposite ends of the table. Each player is provided with a fan and the egg-shell is placed directly in the centre of the table on the dividing line. At the word "Ready" all begin to fan, the object of each side being to send the egg to its goal across the line at the opposite end of the table, and to prevent its being rolled into the goal at its own end.
On no account must the egg be touched except in placing and replacing it on the centre line, which is done whenever a score is made, and when the egg rolls off the table; in all other cases it may be moved only by fanning. Each time the egg enters a goal it counts one for the side at the opposite end of the table, and when the score is marked the egg must be replaced in the centre; then, at the given signal, the fanning is renewed.
The winning score may be ten, fifteen, or twenty-five, but it is best not to make it too large, for several short games are more enjoyable than one long one.
CHAPTER XXI
MAY DAY AMUSEMENTS
MINGLING with the festivities of May day in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were certain games intended to represent the adventures of Robin Hood, that bold forest chieftain who with his band of merry men, all clad in Lincoln green, held many a contest with bow and arrows; and though most of them were masters of the sport, none could quite equal the leader, Robin Hood.