Libbety, Libbety, Libbety-lat.
A game of a very different character, which pleases young children. The child stands before a hassock, and as if he were going up stairs; he puts on it first his right and then his left foot, gradually quickening his steps, keeping time to the words:—
"Libbety, libbety, libbety-lat,
Who can do this? and who can do that?
And who can do anything better than that? "
This ends the games in which children of both sexes join. I must next give those exclusively for boys. I will begin by a very old one.
Ship Sail.
Is a game usually played with marbles; one boy puts his hand into his trousers pocket and takes out as many marbles as he feels inclined; he closes his fingers over them, and holds out his hand with the palm down to the opposite player, saying, "Ship sail, sail fast. How many men on board?" A guess is made by his opponent; if less he has to give as many marbles as will make up the true number; if more, as many as he said over. But should the guess be correct he takes them, and then in his turn says "Ship sail," &c.
Buck shee, buck.
Is another game of chance, and is generally played by three boys in the following way. One stands with his back to a wall, the second stoops down with his head agamst the stomach of the first boy, "forming a back," the third jumps on it, and holds up his hand with the fingers distended, saying,—
"Buck shee, buck shee buck,
How many fingers do I hold up? "
Should the stooper guess correctly, they all change places and the jumper forms the back. Another and not such a rough way of playing this game is for the guesser to stand with his face towards a wall, keeping his eyes shut.
