THE JAUNTINGS OF JASON:

Gun Flash, Issue XXII, 29 May 1943, Page 3

THE JAUNTINGS OF JASON:

(Contd)

And "many merry days .passed, while i . Jas on dew It in the pleasant surroundings of Sleepy Hollow until it came 1 to pass that the warriors laid aside' their amusements of the summer months and there began many palavers and' much talk of a new game called " F ootball". It was a game played also by the feet with the distended bladder of a pig encased in a covert ing of hide, and like'unto the shape of an eye. On the day of the first trials Jason was escorted to a large pasture at each end of which were 'erected' two high poles'. joined by a thin spar. .The warriors would then run between them throwing this loath er- ball one to the other - or it would be pro jected into the skies 1 by a sharp blow of the foot and on . landing would continue to jump of its own- accord. Greatly puzzled was Jason by this strange game but from the struggles for its possession Jason came to believe 'that the object of this vigorous sport was to g@in the ball and defend it from the attackers or to throw it to one favoured man.

And it came to pass that the many tribes sent their warriors to Sleepy Hollow to participate in these games. The opposing parties gathered on the field and a‘judge having emitted a shrill whistle lie game started. The judge produced this shrill whistle' . • many more times during the course of the game and each time the game would .stop and much talk and arguing would ensue,

It seemed to Jason that some warriors were more desirous of posses - ling the coveted bail than others for they were constantly chasing it, though more often than not it would wlude them, and many and fierce were the' melees when the ball did come to rest. Th© tribesmen gathered around

did cheer mightily for their chosen ;';-?' •ones and hurl-many and varied epithets (at those who opposed them. Soon •the -contestants grew tired and hot 1 / ‘from the chase, but this would appear :to ..be to deceive the onlookers, for I suddenly one of the warriors, having ‘secured the ball and escaped the grasp ■of other players, did run at great (speed until ho found sanctuary behind :the tall poles at one end of the field.

At this some of the onlookers were 'most jubilant while others were down(cast and the successful warrior was L showered with varied remarks and api plause. . . ’ And so the contest progressed while the warriors* partook of much fighting land rolling on the ground. Many times he who whistled would make them help I each ,other in trampling the leather (ball under their feet by forming a ;wedge and bending their backs until their heads would lock one with the

other'. Jason thought that the ball might have been very hot, for often, warriors would quickly pass it to other-warriors or would kick it high into the air to cool it off.

j After the play had progressed for 'some time longer, the whistle was heard and everyone stopped'to talk J-and rest and argue amongst.them- • ('selves.' Great was the abuse hurled iback and forth 'from one player to the other’ so that it appeared to 'Jason that ,the game would be even (more hotly contested than'hitherto (when the play was resumed. And indeed this was so foi 1 .the ball was ;thrown and kicked about with renewed jenergy until at las Jr, when all the ! players appeared exhausted, the jjudge blew a long blast on his (whistle and the game ended, much to [the relief of all the players who 'voiced their approval by giving three 'loud shouts. < A soothsayer then moved about amongst the various warriors and jtended their wounds with a lotion (which caused much loud talk and many •caurs6 l s' r to be called down upon. ' the ihead of this slave. But the apothecary, however, bore all this in goed part ' Marvelling at the stoicism and ispirit- of men who would take part jin so war-like a sport, Jason' ; joined Avunculus Robertas and they, I in the company of several others, moved off to find solace in a comfort- • able couch and a cool drink. (to-be continued) w /