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The High School Freshmen - Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and Sports by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
page 47 of 234 (20%)
over. But, which ever course was taken, it must be followed to
the end. Five minutes' start was allowed to the hares. Then
the hounds were sent after them in full yelp. By starting time
for the hounds the hares were sure to be out of sight. An official
of the first class, who followed the hares at the outset, gave
the call when the five minutes were up. Beginning with that call
the hares were obliged to scatter bits of paper, as they ran,
all the way to the finish of the run.

All three of the courses were somewhat parallel during the first
five minutes of the run, but, as the hounds had no means of knowing
which course was the right one, the hounds had to divide their
forces until the first of the paper trails was struck. Then the
"baying" of the hounds who found the trail brought the other two
parties of freshmen to them. Usually, four or five upper classmen
ran with the hounds to decide upon "captures" in case of dispute.
A hound overhauling a hare had to throw his arms around the prize,
stopping him fairly for at least fifteen seconds. Then the hare
was sent back, out of the race. Each hound was credited with
the hare he captured.

Twelve hares ran, also twelve hounds. If the hounds captured
seven or more of the hares ere the race was finished, then the
hounds won. If they captured less than six, the hares won. If
six hares were captured, then the race was a "tie." But, as will
be seen, with the five minutes' start, and the hares averaging
a year more of age, the sophomore class usually won this chase.

These rules had originated at Gridley, where the High School boys
considered their form of the game superior to the rules usually
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