The Traditional Children's Games of England Scotland
& Ireland In Dictionary Form - Volume 1

With Tunes(sheet music), Singing-rhymes(lyrics), Methods Of Playing with diagrams and illustrations.

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	26 BEDS—BELL-HORSES
	shout "Relievo," and upon this signal the four boys standing by the side of the Den pursue them, leaving the Tenter in charge of the Den (fig. 2). When a boy is caught he is taken to the Den, where he is obliged to remain, unless the Tenter puts both his feet into the Den, or takes out the one foot which he ought always to keep in the Den. If the Tenter is thus caught tripping, the prisoner can escape from the Den. If during the progress of the game one of the boys out at field runs through the Den shouting "Relievo" without being caught by the Tenter, the prisoner is allowed to escape, and join his comrades at field. If one of the boys out at field is tired, and comes to stand by the side of the Den, he is not allowed to put his foot into the Den. If he does so the prisoner calls out, "There are two Tenters," and escapes if he can (fig. 3). When all the boys out at field have been caught and put into the Den, the process is reversed—the boys who have been, as it were, hunted, taking the place of the hunters. Sometimes the cry is "Delievo," and not " Relievo." One or two variations occur in the playing of this game. Sometimes the Tenter, instead of standing with one foot in the Den, stands as far off the prisoner as the prisoner can spit. The choosing of sides is done by tossing. Two boys are selected to toss. One of them throws up his cap, crying, " Pot! " or " Lid ! " which is equivalent to " Heads and Tails." If, when a prisoner is caught, he cries out " Kings ! " or " Kings to rest! " he is allowed to escape. The game is a very rough one.—Addy's Sheffield Glossary. Beds Jamieson gives this as the Scottish name for "Hopscotch ;" also Brockett, North Country Words. Bell-horses I. Bell-horses, bell-horses, what time of day ? One o'clock, two o'clock, three, and away! Bell-horses, bell-horses, what time of day ? Two o'clock, three o'clock, four, and away! Five o'clock, six o'clock, now time to stay! —Stanton Lacey (Burners Shropshire Folk-lore, p. 520).