296 The Book of Woodcraft 



Jellypot (two miles o£f) and will have him bring again an 

 answer within the space of three hours; and hereby 

 challenge any twenty picked warriors of the Flying Eagles 

 of New Jersey to capture or hinder the deHvery of said 

 letter. On this the messenger will stake his scalp or any 

 other agreed forfeit according to the rules of the game of 

 Scout Messenger. 



TREE THE COON 



This is an indoor game, founded on the familiar "Hunt 

 the Thimble." 



We use a little dummy coon; either make it or turn a 

 ready-made toy rabbit into one, by adding tail and black 

 mask, and cropping the ears. Sometimes even a little 

 rag ball with a face painted on it. 



All the players but one go out of the room. That one 

 places the coon anywhere in sight, high or low, but in plain 

 view; all come in and seek. The first to find it sits down 

 silently, and scores i. Each sits down, on seeing it, giving 

 no clue to the others. 



The first to score 3 coons is winner, usually. Sometimes 

 we play till every one but one has a coon; that one is the 

 booby. The others are first, second, etc. 



Sometimes each is given his number in order of finding 

 it. Then, after 7 or 8 coons, these numbers are added up, 

 and the lowest is winner. 



NAVAJO FEATHER DANCE 



An eagle feather hung on a horsehair, so as to stand up- 

 right, is worked by a hidden operator, so as to dance and 

 caper. The dancer has to imitate all its motions. A 

 m?^Ionette may be used. It is a great fun maker. 



