Those sitting on one side of the table constitute team “A”, those opposite them, team “B”.  The two captains should be sitting opposite each other.  At one end of the table place a dish containing ten to twenty oysterette crackers, in front of the men on the opposite end of each line from the captain, and an empty dish in front of every other man.  The opponents having the dish of crackers in front of them are given a spoon, and at the signal to “go” they pass the crackers by means of the spoon from their dish to that of the next on their team.  When the last cracker has been transferred, the spoon is handed to the next man on the team, who repeats the performance of the first. (Dishes cannot be moved from their original position).  The team first succeeding in getting the crackers to the dish of the captain wins.

Passing the Drink

Teams are arranged as in No. 1.  A glass of water is given to the man at one end of the table.  The glass should be filled to the brim.  With the signal to “go” it is passed to the far end of the table and immediately returned.  The glass which returns first to the one who started the passing determines the winner, provided that the glass has as much or more water in it at the finish than the opponents’ glass.  If the winning team has less water in it, the result is a tie game.

Rat-a-Tat-Tat

Teams arranged as in previous games.  A plate or glass must be placed in front of each contestant.  Two spoons are handed to contestants at the head of each line.  At the signal to “go” the opponents beat on the plate rat-tat-rat-tat-tat, as a drum beats.  He then passes it on to the next.  Rat-tat-rat-tat-tat is passed on to the far end of the line and back.  When the one who started the race has beaten his last rat-tat-rat-tat-tat, he stands up holding both spoons above his head.

Earth, Air, Fire and Water

Teams are arranged as in previous games.  A member of team “A” is given an object, which can be conveniently passed or tossed across the table.  The game starts by his passing the object to any member of the opposing team.  In passing the object, he says one of the four words:  “Earth, air, fire or water.”  If the word “earth” is used, he must name some animal; if the word “air” is used, the one receiving the object must name some bird; if the word “water” is used, he must name some fish, and keep quiet if the word “fire” is used.  If the word used requires an answer, the one to whom the object is passed must give the name before the one who has passed the object can count ten.  Failing to do this, one point is scored by team “A”.  The one on team “B” to whom the object was passed, passes same back to any member of team “A” and says any of the four words.

Note.—­If the word “Air” is used, the opponent must name some bird, such as robin, thrush, etc.  If “water” is used, shad, salmon, etc.  If “earth” is used, lion, cow, etc.