All the birds in the air,
All the fishes in the sea,
Come pick me out
A brewer or a baker,
Or a candlestick maker,
Or penknife maker.
If the Dog guesses the right one, he takes that girl on his side, she standing behind him. Then they draw a line and each side tries to pull the other over it.—Sheffield (S. O. Addy). The game, it will be seen, differs in several ways from the other games of “Fool, Fool, come to School” type. The “fool” becomes a definite Dog, and the players wish for any thing they choose; the Dog has apparently to find out their wishes.
See “[All the Birds],” “[Fool, Fool].”
Lobber
There are three or more players on each side, two stones or holes as stations, and one Lobber. The Lobber lobs either a stick about three inches long or a ball—(the ball seems to be a new institution, as a stick was always formerly used)—while the batsman defends the stone or hole with either a short stick or his hand. Every time the stick or ball is hit, the boys defending the stones or holes must change places. Each one is out if the stick or ball lodges in the hole or hits the stone; or if the ball or stone is caught; or if it can be put in the hole or hits the stone while the boys are changing places. This game is also played with two Lobbers, that lob alternately from each end. The game is won by a certain number of runs.—Ireland (Folk-lore Journal, ii. 264).
See “[Cat],” “[Cudgel],” “[Kit-Cat],” “[Rounders].”
Loggats
An old game, forbidden by statute in Henry VIII.’s time. It is thus played, according to Stevens. A stake is fixed in the ground; those who play throw Loggats at it, and he that is nearest the stake wins. Loggats, or loggets, are also small pieces or logs of wood, such as the country people throw at fruit that cannot otherwise be reached. “Loggats, little logs or wooden pins, a play the same with ninepins, in which the boys, however, often made use of bones instead of wooden pins” (Dean Miles’ MS.; Halliwell’s Dictionary). Strutt refers to this game (Sports, p. 272).