After one of the players is chosen to be "It" all the rest form a line by standing one behind the other, each placing his hands on the shoulders of the person in front of him. The long line of players represents the black cat and the last player in the line is the black cat's tail.
The object of the game is to have the one who is "It" tag the last player in line. The black cat (the line of players) tries in every way possible to prevent its tail from being tagged. The line can twist and twirl about in every conceivable manner in an effort to keep the tagger away from the tail. As soon as "It" succeeds in touching the last person in line that player takes "It's" place.
The player who was "It" takes his place at the head of the line and the game goes on as before. During all the twisting and maneuvering the players must keep hold upon each other. If a player loses his hold on the shoulders of the one in front of him, he must exchange places with "It" as a penalty for breaking the black cat in two.
From 1929 Party Book
