Defense and Attack Games Robbers And Soldiers
( Defense and Attack, Hide and Seek, Hunting, Team Wars and Battle )This game is best played in the country where there are woods in which the robbers may hide.
The players are divided between robbers and soldiers there being about ten robbers to fifty soldiers (the proportion of one to five). The larger and stronger players are usually selected for the robbers. The soldiers have one General who directs their movements and the robbers a Captain. The robbers are given five or ten minutes start from the prison. The soldiers stand at this place marked as their fort or prison until the General gives the command for the search to begin. The object of the robbers is to hide so that the soldiers may not find them and when found to resist capture if possible. They may hide by climbing trees or dodging behind them conceal themselves in underbrush under dead leaves etc. If played aright the game should be a very strenuous one the resistance offered by the robbers requiring several soldiers to overcome. A robber may resist all of the way to prison. A guard is appointed by the General for the prison and prisoners may run away at any time if not prevented by the guard.
The soldiers in attempting to locate the robbers will use many devices besides a simple hunt. For instance they will form a large circle and gradually work in toward the center thus surrounding any robbers who may be hidden within the territory so covered. The game is won when all of the robbers have been made prisoners. Old clothes are quite in order for this game.
The soldiers will find whistles of advantage for signaling each other for help.