If the hounds captured seven or more of the hares ere the race was finished, then the hounds won.

If they captured less than six, the hares won.

If six hares were captured, then the race was a "tie." But, as will be seen, with the five minutes' start, and the hares averaging a year more of age, the sophomore class usually won this chase.
These rules had originated at Gridley, where the High School boys considered their form of the game superior to the rules usually followed.
This year, as in previous years, the sophomores felt confident of winning.

The freshmen hounds averaged rather small in size, though little was known as to the freshmen running powers or wind.

The sophomores were all good runners.
The contestants for positions on both teams had been tried out three days before, by a committee of men from the first class.
The sophomores had not been allowed to see the freshmen run at these trials.
The start was to be made at three o'clock on this Monday afternoon.
All the runners were now here, Reade and Dalzell having been among the last of the freshmen to come up.