While "it" is counting, with his eyes closed and his head bent, his
companions start off and conceal themselves in the neighborhood as
best they can. When the count is up, and it is all too soon for the
half hidden boys, "it" goes out to find them. Any hider who can run
and touch the goal before "it" shouts: "In free," and he is free. But
if "it" spies a boy, then shouts the boy's name and reaches home
first, that boy is caught.

The game continues till all are free or caught. If "it" fails to catch
any, then he must be "it" again for the next game. If he is
successful, then the first boy caught is "it."

The best time to play "I spy" is in the evening, for the dusk is the
best time to hide, and in the dim light it is harder to recognize the
boys. If "it" calls a boy by another's name, then he is free for that
game. To deceive "it" the other boys often change hats or turn their
coats--an act usually frowned down on, but quite permissible in this
game.

If the last hider gets in undetected and shouts "Freeings!" all go out
for another hide, and "it" stays in his old position.

There are some varieties in this game, but they are not so different
from the one given as to make them worth describing.

LEAP FROG

is distinctly an athletic game, but it nevertheless requires that
quality of brains called "judgment." The boy who does not know leap
frog has something good to learn, and it is for him I am writing this.