| Question.—What will it take to build it up? (With repeats.) Answer.—Needles and preens will build it up. Question.—Needles and preens will rust and bend. Answer.—Silver and gold will build it up. Question.—Silver and gold will be stolen away. Answer.—Build it up with penny loaves. Question.—Penny loaves will tumble down. Answer.—Bricks and mortar will build it up. Question.—Bricks and mortar will wash away. Answer.—We will set a dog to bark. Question.—Here's a prisoner we have got. |
At the words "a prisoner," the two forming the arch apprehend the passing one in the line, and, holding her fast, the dialogue resumes:—
| Answer.—Here's a prisoner we have got. Question.—What's the prisoner done to you? Answer.—Stole my watch and broke my chain. Question.—What will you take to set him free? Answer.—A hundred pounds will set him free. Question.—A hundred pounds I have not got. Answer.—Then off to prison you must go. |
Following this declaration, the prisoner is led a distance away from the rest by her jailers, where the questions are put to her, whether she will choose "a gold watch," or "a diamond necklace." As she decides she goes to the one side or the other. When, in like manner, all in the line have chosen, a tug-of-war ensues, and the game is ended.
"The Jolly Miller."—In this the players take partners—all except the miller, who takes his stand in the middle, while his companions walk round him in couples, singing:—
| There was a jolly miller, who lived by himself, As the wheel went round he made his wealth; One hand in the hopper, and the other in the bag, As the wheel went round he made his grab. |
At the word "grab," every one must change partners. The miller then has the opportunity of seizing one: and if he succeeds in so doing, the one necessarily left alone must take his place, and so on.