Here a desperate effort was made by the poor Cakeseller to dodge past Paterfamilias and get at the boy, whom he eventually succeeded in carrying off.
Main Tul is a game somewhat resembling our own “Puss in the corner,” but with only one “home.” The “home” consisted of a stake planted upright, and the first “Puss” (orang tul) was selected by a species of divination depending upon repetition of the same formula as is used to select the blind man in Blind Man’s Buff (Main China Buta). There was (as I have said) only one home in this game, from which the players sallied forth to taunt the orang tul, and which they were obliged to touch in order to save themselves when closely pursued.
Main Sĕladang (Wild Bull game) is an excellent game for children with the shoeless feet of the East. A “wild bull” having been selected by repetition of the Ping hilang formula, went upon all fours, and entered into the following conversation between himself and one of the other players specially selected for the purpose. The latter opened negotiations with the clearly non-committal, if not very lucid remark, “Tam tam kul” to which the “Bull” replied, “Buat apa guna bakul” (What are you going to do with your basket?)
Boy: Mĕngisi arang. (To hold charcoal.)
Bull: Buat apa guna arang? (What will you do with the charcoal?)
Boy: Mĕnĕmpa (or masak) lĕmbing. (I shall forge a spear.)
Bull: Buat apa guna lĕmbing? (What use will you make of the spear?)
Boy: Mĕnikam sĕladang. (To stab a bull with.)
Bull (who is getting excited): Buat apa guna di-tikam? (What use will it be to stab him?)
Boy: Mĕngambil hati-nya. (To get his heart.)