Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. Friday, December 20th 2002 - 03:51:08 AM In The Beginning - Part 1 Those of you who have been reading the stories on this site for a while and have paid me the honour of following my scouting "adventures" will know that I spent part of my childhood (in the sixties) on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where my father, a British serviceman, was stationed. We arrived in this "paradise" maybe 6 months before the first of my adventures, recounted in "Evasion in the Woods" which you can find in the archives or on Jason's own site. I was somewhat over eleven years old and like my older brother Chris, had been an active Boy Scout for some time. Well, not entirely true - I became a full-blown Boy Scout only a few weeks before the family relocated, but had been a wolf cub for several years. With my scouting experience and my brother's support I had no difficulty in completing my "tenderfoot" in the short time available before our move and recall being immensely proud when I was invested as a full member of my old troop. Only one recollection of this time is relevant but I believe it proves substantially the belief held by many that providing a group of small boys (or presumably girls!) with a few lengths of rope will lead inevitably to one or more of them being tied up. This particular evening was devoted to knot work. This time was spent in our patrol groups and we were taught by the older boys. Two other boys had taken the step up with me, and a further newcomer had joined the troop at the same time. There were two of us new guys in my patrol and with my background I had no difficulty in assimilating this skill (it was hardly new to me) so after a while time was beginning to hang heavily. We had been practising placing a round turn and two half hitches around the outstretched wrist of one of the older boys. After examining our efforts and giving his approval, the patrol leader grasped the other boy's arm, still with the cord tied to it. I expected him to untie the knot and demonstrate another for our benefit so was taken completely by surprise when he took a hold on the boy's other wrist pulled it across and began wrapping the rope around both hands in a criss-cross fashion. The boy being trussed merely giggled softly but made no move to resist and a few moments later was sitting with his hands tied in front of him. I noticed the whole of our small group had closed in, watching attentively - suddenly everyone seemed much more interested in our knot work. For my own part, I had never seen a person tied before, other than on the movies. I was riveted with fascination as a flood of conflicting thoughts went through my mind. How did the boy feel having his hands tied together, was it uncomfortable or did it hurt, would he be able to free himself and if not, how long would it be before someone else untied him? More importantly, how would I feel if it were me? I felt a sense of relief that I was a spectator, strangely fearful of finding myself in the same predicament, and yet at the same time I felt an almost overwhelming curiosity to experience this for myself! Some at least of my questions were soon answered. Our leader had carefully tied his knots securing the lashing well out of reach of his victim's fingers, but after working his hands together for a few minutes the prisoner was able to obtain sufficient slack to enable him to get his arms in such a position as to be able to attack the knots with his teeth. I watched in fascination and finally the boy was able to pull his arms free from the encircling cords. I thought that would be an end to it but was mistaken. As soon as the first boy was free, someone commented, "That was pathetic! I could free myself in half the time, even if my hands were tied tighter than that!" A noisy debate ensued, some of my friends supporting our braggart, others doubting whether he could pull it off. The other newcomer and I remained silent, slightly overawed by our new, older friends. I noticed an almost imperceptible glance being exchanged by our leader and his second and then the former said, "OK, let's see if you are as good as you say!" We were sitting in a small circle on chairs and a giggle ran around the group in anticipation of what we were about to witness. Our boaster, not quite so confident now gave a slight groan, but grinned good-naturedly and said, "Why don't we make it a competition? Tie each member of the patrol up and see how long he takes to get free!" I was secretly shocked by this proposal. I felt the same rush of adrenaline I had experienced a few minutes earlier as I heard my buddies embrace this plan enthusiastically. Now I could see no possible way of escaping this fate. To refuse to participate would I was sure seem cowardly to these other guys, and besides, none of the other boys seemed perturbed by the prospect of being tied up. It seemed certain that I would have no alternative but to accept the inevitable. Whether I wanted to or not, in a few minutes I would have to accept being tied up. My heart pounded and my hands trembled slightly as I tried to imagine what it would be like? Did I really not want to do this or... Our braggart placed his own chair at the centre of the circle and held out his bare arms with his hands palm together. Our PL now had the length of rope in his hands and smirked for a moment thoughtfully before saying, "No, I don't think we will do it like that. Turn around and put your hands behind your back". The atmosphere in the group now seemed to be almost electric. For my own part, I was even more shocked at this turn of events but despite my own fears, I was fascinated to see what would happen next and craned my neck for a better view. The self-appointed victim, realising at last that he had backed himself into a corner from which there was no escape stood up with a resigned air and sat down again, facing the back of the chair. Before he had time to change his mind the patrol second stepped forward, took a hold of the boy's arms and pulled them behind his back. In what appeared to be a well orchestrated move the other boy immediately started looping the rope around his crossed wrists, both vertically and horizontally. I particularly noticed that, as each turn was added, he deliberately hauled on the rope to tighten the lashing. With mounting excitement I watched him cinch the whole tight with further turns and finally knot the ends of the rope securely. This he did at the top and behind his prisoner's wrists - it was clear the latter would be incapable of reaching the knots unless he was able to get a great deal of slack in his bonds first. While the audience laughed, the victim was helped to his feet, turned around and placed on his chair the proper way round, but two more surprises were in store for him. First, as he sat down his bound hands were hauled up his back and outwards so that, as he sank down, his arms encircled the seat back, and second, before he had any time to avoid it, a second length of cord appeared and his ankles were deftly tied together. When this was completed there was a long length of rope remaining. Without pausing for a moment his persecutors pulled his bound ankles under the chair and tied this rope off to a cross bar so that his feet were doubled up under him and he was unable to place them on the ground. He was now securely bound to the chair, held to the seat back by his bound arms and unable to stand to free himself from his perch. Everyone laughed, myself included, as he began to struggle ineffectually and became redder in the face as it began to dawn on him that he was powerless and would remain tied up until someone freed him. Salvation was not far off, however. Our activities had clearly not gone unnoticed by the adult leaders although they held themselves aloof for awhile and the victim certainly was uncomplaining. Nevertheless, after our buddy had been trussed for nearly ten minutes one of them stepped across and said softly, "OK, you've proved your point now. I think it is time to let him go!" Without more ado his ankles were freed and he stood up gratefully before having the use of his arms restored. I was now apprehensive at the thought of the impending "competition" but was spared this experience by the formalities of the end of the meeting. Almost, I was disappointed. That frisson of fear that I have always felt at being tied up has never left me and yet I guess it is this that gives it that indefinable air. It would however be some time before I discovered for myself "what it would be like" and when that happened I would be given no opportunity to confront my fears in advance and thereby prepare myself... Richard UK Friday, December 20th 2002 - 03:48:56 AM In The Beginning - Part 2 I now need to move on to the scene that regular readers are more familiar with. We moved to our new home in late summer or early autumn, just as the new school term was commencing. Hopes of enjoying an extension to my summer vacation in the warm sunshine were quickly dashed by my parents and within two days of arrival I found myself in a new school surrounded by strange faces, so many of whom would be destined to share my adventures in the coming months. Scouting is portrayed as a world-wide fellowship and so it proved. My new classmates immediately recognised my lapel badge and within hours I had been persuaded of the advantages of joining one of the two scout troops over the other. Two days later I attended my first troop meeting accompanied by my brother who had not yet reached the age of advancement to the seniors, both of us conspicuous by our still wearing our old scarves. Now it was that I met many of the friends who have appeared in my tales. We were at once made to feel welcome and, by the end of the meeting, I was looking forward with anticipation to the next one. The only slight blemish on the horizon came from Chris, who warned me that it was quite common for young, new members of a troop to be given some form of initiation. This didn't worry me as such - it was common knowledge in our old troop that all new members went through some such ordeal at their first camp although the details were a closely guarded secret. Although I was something of a skinny kid I was more than willing to accept such a practice since I was convinced no one would physically hurt or injure me, and I guessed more or less correctly that everyone had been through it themselves. Let me take a moment to point out that such activities are frowned on today. I am however referring to a period many years ago and all my peers seemed to accept the inevitable in the same way I did. No one was ever hurt, other than perhaps their dignity. Subsequently I learnt to trust my mates implicitly and I am satisfied that, had any youngster objected to participating, his wishes would have been respected. Curiously, I don't recall this ever happening. One final point - I am certain in my own mind that, despite the activities of the PC police today, such things do still happen today. Boys will be boys (or girls, girls!) and I don't believe anything really changes. Many of the characters you are familiar with would only appear in the coming months but David and Robert welcomed me effusively to their patrol. David was about 6 months older than me; his brother (not yet our patrol leader) was a year older than that. Mike, Roger and Peter were all long-standing members of the troop, but otherwise only Matthew and Paul would be familiar to readers. At our second meeting none of the enjoyment of sharing our activities with these new friends had departed. As the meeting closed and we got ready to leave for home David casually mentioned that informal patrol meetings were often held on Saturdays. These were justly popular since the adult leaders were not present and were consequently much less formal. Such a meeting was being held next weekend and unusually, members of all four patrols were likely to be present. It sounded like enormous fun and I agreed without hesitation that I would be there. If the other boy exchanged a look of triumph with his brother I certainly did not notice it but my doom was settled at that moment (in parenthesis, I should point out that our "games" were not inaugurated until some months later). Later, when I asked my brother if he was planning to attend he surprised me by telling me that, unfortunately, he had other activities planned. He didn't enlarge on this but it was not unusual for him to do his own thing - while we were very close there was a reasonably substantial age difference between us. We did however share a bedroom and that evening, after we had gone to bed and the light was out he said softly to me, "On Saturday don't be surprised if things don't turn out quite as you expect!" His air of mystery was all the more infuriating since he flatly refused to enlighten me further despite it being quite clear that he knew something of what was planned. Some of my new found scouting pals were classmates and many more of us tended to congregate during break times, drawn together by a common bond. Everyone seemed to know already that I had told David I would be there and it appeared oddly important to them, but when asked about the planned activities they were all uncommonly evasive. I learnt nothing of any worth from any of them except that David's brother, Robert, sought me out at the end of classes on Friday and said, "I'm not sure if anyone has told you but these meetings are pretty informal. No need for uniform, in fact I would suggest something fairly rough - you don't want to mess up decent clothes!" This gratuitous comment merely heightened my curiosity further and that evening I tackled Chris again. At first he steadfastly refused to answer my questions but finally, in desperation, he said, "Whatever happens, just remember no one is going to hurt you!" He would say nothing further and, far from allaying my fears, my fertile imagination was left to feast on this snippet all night! By the morning I had come to certain conclusions. I was determined to face whatever was in store for me. It was clear now there was some sort of plot but that same fear I had experienced in that meeting some weeks ago left me once more wondering what was planned and determined to find out at whatever cost. The fear of the unknown contrasting with a desire for enlightenment I found strangely stimulating. After a light lunch I changed into a pair of white sports socks and trainers, a tee shirt and an old pair of blue cotton gym shorts. I have said before that I was a scrawny kid and these latter I held up on my sparse frame by the simple expedient of hitching the elastic waistband up behind a belt and tucking it over. My shorts would remain in place, but they were in consequence rather shorter, emphasised by my rather gangly legs and tighter than was intended. Thus attired I set out alone to meet my destiny. In the woods I discovered a disparate group of maybe fourteen boys from various patrols and I at once received a noisy and effusive welcome. Under Mike's leadership they were all engaged in improving their knotting technique! Inexplicably, for a brief moment I had a vivid picture of our boastful comrade of a few weeks earlier, his hands tightly bound behind his back, unable to move from his chair with his ankles tied to the lower crossbar, his feet clear of the floor. The picture faded and I took my place in the circle of enthusiastic boys, being handed a length of rope as I sat down cross-legged on the ground. We practised enthusiastically as Mike showed us new knots to add to our repertoire and then, after maybe half an hour, he told us he was going to move on to lashings. This was new territory for me and I would need to learn this skill for my second class badge. I therefore looked up expectantly. Mike was explaining the purpose of lashings and the importance of ensuring their security. After a few moments he told the group he would need something to demonstrate on. I was totally engrossed in his words but even so I doubt if I would have realised what was coming. His words were clearly a prompt because, after a few moments, someone said, "You can demonstrate on Richard!" There was a general chuckle around the group and suddenly my mind was back with my companions. As these last few words slowly sank in I suddenly realised with a quickening of my pulse what some at least of these boys were proposing. I say some but in truth I believe that everyone there knew what was supposed to take place next. Two of my new friends had stood up and each had a length of rope dangling from his hand. I felt that by now familiar surge of fear as I realised that, if I didn't act swiftly, I was within moments of discovering what it would really be like to be tied up, and I guessed with a fair degree of certainty that all these boys would know how to carry this out comprehensively and effectively. If I remained where I was my fate was sealed - I was outnumbered both numerically and physically. In a split second I sprang to my feet and made a dash for the surrounding undergrowth. Even as I did so it occurred to me that the pursuit would be swift and apart from their numerical superiority they had the advantage of knowing the territory. In one respect at least I was mistaken. After crashing through the undergrowth for maybe 50 yards I stopped to listen. Oddly I could hear no sound of the chase although they would have little difficulty in knowing which way to go - I had made a noise much like a herd of stampeding Elephants. Time to slow down and try to evade capture. I began to move more stealthily, although I had not yet acquired the skills that would stand me in good stead in the months to come. At last I found some substantial cover from some low growing and overhanging bushes and crawled beneath them. I had time to take stock. My all too brief shorts had failed to protect me from the prickly Mediterranean plants and my bare legs were badly scratched as well as dirty. I would quickly learn to move carefully and avoid these painful encounters. Although I listened intently I couldn't hear a sound of any pursuit. I actually felt disappointed, and immediately realised that, had I not bolted, I might well by now have been trussed up for the first time in my short life. Once more I felt my heart racing as my alarm at such a prospect fought with my all too real desire to experience it, at least once. The woods remained as silent as the grave and after a few minutes my disappointment at the lack of a hue and cry combined with a new feeling of disappointment - evidently my new pals didn't think this rather weedy 11½ year old was worth chasing. Finally, I decided I would crawl out of my hiding place and sheepishly rejoin the others. I crawled out on all fours, more carefully this time (I was already learning the local vegetation had teeth!) and stood up. As I did so, there was a rustle behind me and before I had time to do a thing I was tackled to the ground with someone's arms around my knees. My fall slightly winded me so before I had time to put up any sort of resistance I was pinned down by a boy sitting on my shoulders. Twisting my head round I first saw the bare knees of my captor, planted firmly on the ground either side of my head, and then looked up into the grinning face of Robert. Moments later I realised he was not alone - I had actually been brought down by his brother, David, who now knelt before me and began to laugh softly. "Sorry about that," he chuckled, "We've been watching you for the last five minutes and were ready to grab you as soon as you moved!" Despite the pressure on my shoulders, I looked up and asked, "Where are the others? I really thought I had no chance of escape and would be caught in a few moments". David laughed once more, and replied, "Oh, no one else is chasing you. We knew which way you had gone and we all know these woods much better than you do! It was left to Robert and me to capture you". The word 'capture' made my pulse quicken again slightly, but then Robert spoke. "Look, you have rather been set up. The real reason for our meeting today was to give you your initiation. I can promise you no-one will hurt you and most of us have been through it before but if you really don't want to do it we won't force you and no-one will think less of you for it!" I thought for a brief moment and remembered Chris' warning. Once more I felt that slight prickle of fear of the unknown but I was sure Robert's words carried sincerity. Whatever was planned for me, I wasn't going to back out now and, in a slightly quavering voice, I told my captors so. Glancing up I saw the two boys grin at each other and David slapped me on my shoulder as he said, "Well done!" Robert was speaking again, issuing instructions. "OK, in that case you are now our prisoner and we will shortly take you back to the others. I am going to get up in a moment and I want you to take your tee-shirt off as it may get grubby. You are otherwise to remain lying on the ground - don't try to stand up". The word 'prisoner' caused my pulse to race - I was sure these two boys must be able to hear my heart pounding as I lay on the ground - but after easing myself onto my knees and removing my shirt as instructed, I lay down again to await developments. Despite my heightened awareness I swear that I had no inkling at all of what was about to follow, so as David folded my shirt carefully, Robert's next words cut through my naivety like a whiplash. "That's fine; now put your hands behind your back!" I had seen no rope, which had maybe lulled me into a false sense of security, but with a blinding flash of insight I suddenly realised I was about to confront my worst fear. These boys were about to tie my hands together behind my back and there really was precious little I could do about it. Slowly, and somewhat reluctantly, I complied with the request, placing my hands together palm to palm behind me. "No, not like that," I heard Robert say and then I felt his hands on my arms as he gently pulled my hands apart and placed them with my wrists crossed. I didn't have to wait more than a moment before I felt a turn of rope being looped around my wrists followed by several more. As they worked on me I realised that each turn was being pulled tight, just as I had seen it done weeks earlier in my old troop. Even as I took this in more turns were added vertically across my wrists and then the ends of the rope were being knotted at the back of my wrists and finally I felt the loose ends being tucked away. As I felt my captor's hands finally release my own arms I tried experimentally to twist my arms around in an instinctive attempt to get some slack. A forlorn hope - while not uncomfortable, my hands were most securely tied together, I could not reach any knots, indeed I couldn't even reach my bonds with my fingers, and it was clear I would remain bound until it was decided to set me free. My captors now helped me to my feet, but not before my trainers and socks had been removed and they began to escort me back to the main group. The ground was fairly sandy and covered in loose pine needles so the absence of shoes was not really a problem but I felt very vulnerable with my hands tied behind my back and now dressed in nothing but my very brief shorts. Nevertheless, I was curious as to what would happen next. After a very short walk we were surrounded by the others and I was surprised to see that something of a transformation had taken place. Many of the boys had removed their own shirts and were bare-chested and some had placed feathers in their hair, supported by headbands. They now looked for the entire world like a tribe of Indians and with a slightly sinking feeling I realised I was to be their prisoner. Even with my limited experience I realised that attempting to run was out of the question. My bound hands would severely restrict my movements and in any case I was wholly dependent upon them for my ultimate freedom. I was slightly taken aback by several of them cheering my reappearance and one or two slapped me on the back in a congratulatory fashion but Mike, who was clearly the leader in all of this quickly took control. Without speaking a word he pointed to a pine tree a few yards away and I was quickly hustled in that direction. Moments later I felt hands working at the knots binding my hands and breathed an inward sigh of relief. My anticipation of freedom was, however, a mite premature. As my hands were freed I made an instinctive move to rub some circulation back into my wrists, but was pre-empted by strong hands seizing my arms and pulling me backwards against the trunk of the tree. Before I had time to realise what was happening my arms had been pulled together behind the trunk and once more I felt the ropes being applied to my wrists. When they had finished I was held immovably against the trunk, but to add to my constraint, while my hands were being tied someone else had obligingly tied my ankles together before making the lashing fast behind the tree. I found myself thinking this was largely unnecessary - it would be impossible for me to free my hands without assistance and I certainly wasn't going any place with them tied behind the trunk of a tree! When they were satisfied that their prisoner was wholly secure, Mike stepped forward and asked if I wished to join the tribe. This took me a little by surprise - I guess it was my last opportunity to avoid whatever was in store - but I nodded my assent. Mike then said, "We shall need to blindfold you for the ceremony but no-one will hurt you. However, if you speak or call out from now until we give you permission you will also have to be gagged. Is that clear?" This was a shock. I had never ever considered a gag and for a moment wondered how they would do that, but I was quite clear I would prefer to co-operate rather than find out. "Yes, that's quite clear," I said. Even as I uttered the words I felt I could have bitten my tongue out. Mike's face took on a look of despair, he signalled to a boy who stepped forward with a cloth. This latter, to my amazement, instructed, "Open wide!" in that moment I realised that, in replying to Mike I had done precisely what I had been instructed not to do - I had spoken! Nevertheless I guessed that unless I opened my mouth they would be unable to put the cloth in it, so I clamped my jaws tight closed. I had much to learn. I was tied to a tree, my hands tied securely, not only behind my back but also around the trunk, and with my ankles also tied I was immobile. Another boy stepped forward and to my surprise clamped my nose in his finger and thumb. Even had I had time to take a deep breath, in a short while I would have been spluttering. Taken completely off guard I was gasping for air within seconds. The first boy kindly gave me a moment to draw breath into my lungs and then I felt fingers stuffing the cloth loosely into my mouth. Although I twisted my head away I was unable to avoid the searching digits and in no time at all the whole had been bound in place with a second cloth forced between my teeth and knotted tightly behind my neck. Protest was of course now out of the question and within seconds I was deprived of my sight as the threatened blindfold was added to complete my bonds. I felt a little aggrieved at this treatment, particularly after I had agreed to co-operate but any complaint on my part would now have to wait until my persecutors had finished their game. Besides, the loss of my speech as well as sight was oddly exciting and I was suddenly aware that this would be abundantly obvious to anyone who chose to use their eyes. It says much for these boys who were to become my closest of pals in the coming months that no one did pass a comment, which I would have found utterly mortifying. Everything became very quiet around me and I became convinced I had been left alone. After several minutes my shoulders were beginning to ache slightly. I tried wriggling my bare feet but they were as securely bound as my hands. I craned my neck upward in an attempt to see under the cloth covering my eyes. Futile - it had been tied so tightly I was unable actually to open my eyes. Despite my earlier struggling my gag had been applied so carefully that it would be impossible to shout for help. The best I could achieve was a soft mmmpppfh, which was severely muffled by the wad of cloth in my mouth. I was embarrassed to realise I was beginning to drool and this was running down my bare chest. I believe I was left tied in this fashion for maybe fifteen minutes. Psychologically it was the most frightening part of the whole ordeal although common sense should have assured me I would not be left like that. I had been assured (twice) that I would not be hurt (and in truth I hadn't) but standing in total silence, blindfold, with no means of escape and no means of summoning help is strangely disturbing. I had begun to try to work out just how I could obtain my freedom (in reality quite impossible without help) when my reverie was rudely interrupted. The cold, wet soggy mess hit me square on my bare chest. I had no idea what it was, or where it had come from, and instinctively reeled from it. Well at least, I tried. My bonds held me immobile and a moment later I was struck again, this time on the forehead. Moments later, I was aware of being surrounded by some at least of my captors and they were rubbing my chest, face, arms and legs. What they were doing I had no means of telling. The attentions came to an end and once more I was left alone for several minutes. Less worrying this time - the assault I had suffered, although unexpected, had had the effect of reassuring me that I was not alone and I decided against struggling. I had already discovered this merely made my wrists sore and my shoulders ache, and I knew in the depths of my heart that it had not benefited me in any way. I was still as securely bound s when I had first been placed against the tree. Time passed and once more I sensed someone approach. This time I felt a soft cloth being placed around my neck and secured loosely in place at front. What was happening I could not begin to imagine. Once more I was left to ponder my destiny for a few minutes (afterwards my persecutors referred to it as "the ordeal of silence!") and then without warning I felt fingers untying the knot securing my blindfold. I blinked for a few moments in the bright light and so relieved was I to have my sight restored that I completely forgot my gag. Looking down I was first appalled to see that my chest and legs (and presumably my arms - I couldn't actually see them) had been covered in an odious mixture of what appeared to be sand, mud and red clay. This had been allowed to dry and was now caked to my body (it was now clear why I had received such careful instructions about clothes and why Robert had insisted on removing my tee shirt). But suddenly my eye was held by what had been placed around my neck. It was a brand new scarf, neatly folded and secured with a carefully formed reef knot ('square knot' for all you readers west of the Atlantic!) in the absence of our usual woggle. Mike stepped forward and, with a huge grin, said, " Welcome to the troop! How do you like your new scarf?" After a brief silence he burst out laughing and continued, "Sorry, I forgot. You can talk now. Someone take his gag off, please!" Without a moments hesitation a couple of boys stepped forward, untied the securing cloth and deftly pulled out the wad of cloth which had been stuffed into my mouth. While they were doing so Mike added conversationally, "Do you know everyone falls for the old trick of answering the question after being told to remain silent! We haven't not had to gag a victim yet!" I stretched my jaws luxuriously, then looking down at my mud caked chest burst out laughing, before exclaiming, "You bastards! I'll get even for this". For some reason everyone just fell about laughing! Mike grinned again and then said, "It may have escaped your notice but you are still tied up and therefore hardly in a position to make threats!" This did rather bring me down to earth but without a pause he continued, "Before we set you free there is just one more thing you have to do. This ceremony is a closely guarded secret. Many of us here have been through it" - I saw both David and Robert nodding solemnly - "but details may not be revealed to the uninitiated. You will get your chance for 'revenge' the next time we induct a new member into the troop. Do you so swear?" I did so without hesitation. As I had been promised, I had not been hurt and I guess the prospect of seeing someone else in the same predicament had a certain boyish appeal. Immediately a couple of boys set about untying my ankles and hands. As they worked I enquired why Chris had not been subjected to such a rite. I was told that enquiries had been made as soon as we arrived but that Chris had been able to give details of his own initiation at a camp with our last troop. My new pals had a strict rule of not subjecting a new member to a "repeat performance". Free at last, I was given a bucket of hot water and a sponge, and withdrew behind the bushes to clean myself up and dress. As I did so I had time to reflect. After waiting so long I had at last been tied up and undoubtedly those who had carried this out were experts. What I realised was that, despite my fears, which would never really desert me, I had in reality rather enjoyed the experience. I rather hoped that I might find myself in the same position again one day (little did I realise!) and also I hoped soon to be the one doing the tying. I just hoped that, when that day came, I would acquit myself as well as my captors had today. Richard UK Friday, December 20th 2002 - 03:55:28 AM In The Beginning - Conclusion That concludes the events leading up to my first being tied up. Jason also asked how our "games" came into existence. This can be answered quite simply. The "wide game" was a popular scouting activity with all of us, and I guess remains so today. Briefly, a team would be given an objective to achieve (for example, delivering a message, or reaching a base camp - the possibilities are endless) and a second team would be responsible for stopping them. The teams might be of similar size or alternatively a small group of boys would try to evade capture while attaining their objective. It was usual for both sides to wear a length of wool tied around their arm representing their "life" and if this was removed by the opposition they were either out, or had to return to a designated spot for it to be renewed. These games were justly popular at our troop meetings, often being played after dark and many of us became adept at moving silently in true "scout" fashion to accomplish our objective. At the same time, our informal weekend patrol meetings became more and more popular and, with several patrols in attendance we would often have sufficient numbers to organise such a game ourselves without adult supervision. A few months after my arrival a big discussion took place one Saturday afternoon about improving the realism of these games. The removal of a piece of wool from a sleeve held little appeal to an active group of boys and someone proposed that we should be allowed to take prisoners. We suspected that this might be frowned upon by the adult leaders and consequently this only happened at our unsupervised informal meetings. From here, it was inevitable that someone should propose that we be allowed to tie our prisoners up (and gag them if necessary - it almost always was!). The trusty water pistol was introduced, and the "torturing" of prisoners (by tickling) to extract information suddenly made its appearance. Gradually we moved towards "formalising" our rules of engagement (an attempt, I guess, to keep it as safe as possible for everyone) and thankfully no one was ever hurt physically. No boy was ever coerced into participating but we were never short of willing contestants. As time went on it became clear that our leaders had a fair idea of what went on behind their back, particularly when it spilled over at camp, but they were astute enough to turn a blind eye, merely checking on us from time to time that no one individual was being singled out (bullied) and that no injuries occurred. The only ones to be "singled out" were my two closest friends and myself - we most certainly deserved it in view of some of the deeds we perpetrated, and our leaders seemed to have a particular blind-spot if James, or Stuart or I had been involved in mischief. We for our part were never injured in any way although our dignity suffered on many occasions - a small price to pay for the fun we had and the havoc we wrought amongst our buddies! Richard UK