RED LINE

In this game, also called Red Lion, the goal must be a straight line, such as the crack in a sidewalk or the edge of a road.  The one who is “it” runs after the rest as in tag, and when he has captured a prisoner he brings him into the “red line,” and the two start out again hand in hand and another is captured, then three together, and two pair, and so on until all are prisoners.  The first prisoner is “it” for the next game.

ROLEY BOLEY

This game is also called Roll Ball and Nigger Baby, and is played by children all over the civilized world.  A number of depressions are hollowed in the ground corresponding to the number of players and a hole is chosen by each one.  A rubber ball is then rolled toward the holes, and if it lodges in one of them the boy who has claimed that hole must run in and pick up the ball while the rest scatter.  He then attempts to hit one of the other players with the ball.  If he succeeds a small stone called a “baby” is placed in the hole belonging to the boy struck.  Otherwise the thrower is penalized with a “baby.”  When any boy has five babies he must stand against the wall and be a free target for the rest to throw the ball at.

ROQUE

This game may be called scientific croquet.  A roque mallet has a dogwood head 9-1/2 inches long, with heavy nickel ferrules.  Roque balls are made of a special composition that is both resilient and practically unbreakable.

A skilful roque player is able to make shots similar to billiard shots.  The standard roque court is 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, with corner pieces 6 feet long.  The playing ground is of clay and should be as smooth as it is possible to make it.  A very light top dressing of sand is used on the clay.  The wickets, or “arches,” are driven into blocks of wood to secure firmness and buried into the ground with the top of the arch 8 inches above the surface.

The roque balls are 3-1/4 inches in diameter and the arches only 3-1/2 wide, which gives an idea of the difficulty of playing this game.  To be an expert requires an accurate eye and a great deal of practice.

There is a National Roque Association, and an annual championship tournament is held to determine the champion.  The home of roque is in the New England States.

ROWING RECORD

The best amateur intercollegiate record for the eight-oared race of four miles is 18 minutes 53-1/5 seconds, made by Cornell, July 2, 1901.

RUBICON