The child who is caught takes the middle, and the frog joins the circle.
GREEN GRAVEL
Girls form a circle and dance around one of their number. The girl in the ring turns her head gravely as a messenger advances, while the rest sing to a pleasing air—
Green gravel, green gravel,
The grass grows so green,
The fairest of ladies,
Is fit to be seen.
Dear ——, Dear ——
Your true love is dead;
The king sends you a letter
To turn back your head.
The process is repeated calling each child by name until all of the children have so turned. Turning the head is the sign of sorrow. The game is continued by the following verse in which the lost lovers appear:
Dear ——, Dear ——
Your true love's not slain,
The king sends you a letter
To turn around again.
And the dancers who have all turned about, are one by one made to face the ring.
HUNT THE RING
For this game a long piece of string is required. On this a ring is threaded, and the ends of the string are knotted together. The players then take the string in their hands and form a circle, whilst one of the company, who is called the "hunter," stands in the center. The string must be passed rapidly round and round, and the players must try to prevent the "hunter" finding out who holds the ring. As soon as he has done this, he takes his place in the circle, whilst the person who held the ring becomes the "hunter."