"The ball is mine, and none of thine, So you, proud queen, may sit on your throne, While we, your messengers, go and come." No. 99. _The Wandering Dollar._ A coin is passed about the circle, and the central player is to guess who has it. The dollar is held in the palm, then passed about the ring by each player alternately clapping his hands together, and then extending his arms so as to touch the hands of his neighbor. For this purpose the right hand should be held downward, and the left turned upward, as the arms are extended. The coin is to be _palmed_ from hand to hand, and the rhythmical motions being accompanied with song (to almost any tune) make a very pretty game, but one which requires much practice to master. The verse sung is, Dollar, dollar, how you wander, From the one unto the other! Is it fair, is it fair, To leave Miss [Anna] so long without a chair? _Cincinnati._ The game is a modern translation from the German, presumably by the children themselves. No. 100. _Thimble in Sight._ Among games of search may be mentioned the present, in which, the greater part of the company being sent out of the room, a thimble must be placed so as to escape notice, and yet in such a position as to be visible when the attention is once directed to it. As each of the party discovers the thimble, he indicates his success by saying "Rorum torum corum," or some such formula, and then takes his seat. In other games, in which some small object is hidden, there are various ways of assisting the seeker when at fault; thus, it is said you _freeze_, you are _cold_, you are _warm_, you _burn_, according as the object is approached; or the search is directed by _magical music_, which grows louder as the person comes nearer to his object. These usages belong also to other countries. More original is a practice, common in Massachusetts, according to which the height of the concealed object above the floor of the room is indicated by the words "So high water," addressed by one of the company to the person who has been sent out, as he enters and begins his search. FOOTNOTES: [95] "Chinquapin (_Castanea primula_), an ovoid, pointed, sweet nut, half the size of a common chestnut." [96] "Bucca, bucca, quot sunt hic?" XI. _GAMES OF CHASE_. The spring clade all in gladness Doth laugh at winter's sadness, And to the bag-pipes round, The maids tread out their ground. Fy, then, why are we musing, Youth's sweet delight refusing? Say, dainty nymph, and speak, Shall we play Barley Break? _Old Song._ No. 101. _How many Miles to Babylon?_ A party of young people stand at each end of a space, such as a portico, a field, etc., and a single player is stationed in the middle. The former address the latter: