The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GAME MUMBLEY PEG

PARTS: A BUCK KNIFE OR ANY KNIFE WITH AT
LEAST A THREE-INCH BLADE.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: TWO ONLY
OBJECT OF GAME: TO MAKE OPPONENT PLAYER EITHER LOSE HIS BALANCE
OR BE UNABLE TO REACH THE KNIFE.
RULES: TWO PEOPLE STAND ABOUT FOUR FEET AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER
AND FACE EACH OTHER.
ONE PLAYER GOES FIRST. HE TRIES TO THROW THE KNIFE ABOUT A FOOT TO
THE LEFT OR RIGHT OF THE SECOND PLAYER,S RIGHT OR LEFT FOOT.
THE SECOND PLAYER PLACES HIS FOOT NEXT TO THE KNIFE.
THIS CAUSES HIS FEET AND LEGS TO SHIFT OPEN.
THE SECOND PLAYER THEN THROWS THE KNIFE NEAR THE FIRST PLAYER,S FOOT.
HE MUST ALSO MOVE HIS FOOT NEXT TO THE KNIFE.
THIS GOES ON UNTIL ONE PLAYER FALLS FROM OVER EXTENDING HIS LEG REACH
OR IS UNABLE TO GRASP THE KNIFE FOR ANOTHER TURN.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS USUALLY PLAYED OUTSIDE ON THE GRASS.
THE PLAYERS USUALLY WORE COWBOY BOOTS TO PROTECT THIER FEET
FROM A BAD THROW.
PLAYERS CAN ALSO KEEP A POINT RECORD OF MATCHES.
BETTING ON THIS GAME IS ALSO COMMON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM