chalk the arrow n Also chalk (and) arrows
= chalk corners n.
1917 Boy Scouts Amer. Official Hdbk. 409, Chalk the Arrow—This is usually played in the city streets, one player running and trying to keep out of sight of the others who follow. The runner is given time to disappear around the first corner before the others start after him, and at every corner he turns he marks (with chalk) an arrow pointing in the direction he takes. Those pursuing follow by the arrow, the first one seeing him being the runner for the next time. 1924 Hope Dispatch (Hope KS) 27 Mar 1/5, The [Boy Scout] meeting was followed by a lively game of “chalk the arrow.” 1930 Albuquerque Jrl. (NM) 16 Mar 9/1, [Minutes of Boy Scout meeting:] After discussing some business matters, we went outside and played “Chalk and Arrows” for about twenty minutes. 1976 Des Moines Register (IA) 29 Feb sec C 9/3, Chalk arrows—Four other readers sent in variations on the same game, called “Follow the Arrow,” “Chalk the Rabbit,” and “Chalk the Corner.” In all four games, one side, equipped with pieces of chalk, would be given a five-minute head start. The other side would then follow them. The first side gave clues to their route by chalking arrows on the pavement that the other side had to find. The chase went all over town, until the first side drew a circle with four arrows pointing in different directions, or a similar mark. This signified that the chalking side had gone to ground and it was up to the following side to find them.