This game can be played by any number of kids, who must all join hands. The game is begun by the outside players at each end of the line holding the following dialogue:
“How many miles to Babylon?”
“Threescore and ten.”
“Can I get there by candle-light?”
“Yes, and back again.”
“Then open the gates without more ado, and let the king and his men pass through.”
Excerpt from the book: / EVERY BOY’S BOOK: A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF SPORTS AND AMUSEMENTS. / EDITED BY EDMUND ROUTLEDGE. / With more than Six Hundred Illustrations / FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS. / LONDON: GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, / THE BROADWAY, LUDGATE. / NEW YORK: 416, BROOME STREET. / 1869.
The player and the one next to him at the end of the line opposite the last speaker then elevate their joined hands as high as they can, to allow the speaker to run under, and the whole line follows him, still holding hands.
This should be done, if possible, without breaking the line by letting the hands go, and is styled “threading the needle.”
When all the boys have passed through, the same conversation begins again, excepting that the respondent in his turn becomes the inquirer, and runs between the opposite players, the others following as before.
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