Boys' Column. Indian Games.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1809, 9 February 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Boys' Column. Indian Games.

I. —AMAIYOTTA3I ; OR THK TORTOISE RACK. 'Two or more boys sit down in a line, with their knees touching their chins, And crossing their hands, hold their feet, the right with tho left hand, and thp left with the right hand. Thus contracted, they move toward a fixed goal. Should any lot go his hold with either hand, he " dioV and remains motionless on the spot where he fails. Ho that reaches the goal successfully returns in the same manner to the person who had lagged behind, and says, " Dead tortoise, what are you doing?" He replies," I am waiting for some one that would give mo life." Instantly tho victor gOP3 round him in the same posture, when the other is said to " revive." The two move back, as before, and reach the point from which they had started, and the gamo is concluded. The essence of the game consists in holding hard, often under very trying oircumstances. lI. —KOOTHAIUI ATTAIt ; Oil, THE HORSELLAr GAME. In this the sport consists in one boy jumping over another, who puts himself successively in various postures, in which the height incieases in gentle gradiation, as described below : 1. Sitting down, with his legs stretched out before him side by side. 2 With one foot over the other vertically, in the same posture. 3. A span over the second foot, the palm being stretched out, and the tip of the thumb resting over the tip of the toe. 4. Another span over it similarly. 5. Standing up and bending down, touching his toes with his thumbs. 0. Increasing the height by holding the calves of his legs, in the same posture. 7. Then the knees. 8. Then tho thighs, bending his head, to keep it out of the way, like a horse under curb and rein. He who jumps over has to increase his distance and speed in proportion; and should he touch the other in any attempt, he has to sit down and let others jump over him in the same hanner. * lll. —NalumuiiAi Thatchi ; ok, The Fourcorner Gvue. Three boys stand at three corners of a large square, while one keeps within, moving round ajiong them. Availing themselves of the vacant corner, tho three constantly change places, taking special care not to be touched by the fourth while in actual motion from" one corner to another. Should any be so touched, he has to give up his place to the victor, and go round like him.