Volume I Part 27 (1/2)

Two boys join hands and feet over the back of a third, the which creeps away with them on hands and knees to a certain distance; and if able to do this, he, the Cuddy, must have a ride as one of the powks on some other's back.-Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopaedia_.

Cudgel

[Ill.u.s.tration: Change of sides]

[Ill.u.s.tration: A run]

Four or more boys can play this game, and sides are chosen. Two holes are made in the ground at a distance of about eight or ten feet apart. A ring about a foot in diameter is made round each hole. A boy stands at each hole with a stick, which he puts into the hole to guard it. Two other boys stand behind the holes, who act as bowlers. One of these throws a small piece of wood shaped like a Cat, and tries to pitch it into the hole. The boy guarding the hole tries to hit it with his stick.

If he succeeds, he and the boy at the other hole run to each other's places. Should the boy who throws the piece of wood succeed in getting it into the hole, the batsmen are out. Should the Cat fall into the ring or a span beyond, one of the bowlers picks it up, and both run to a hiding-place. They then agree as to which of them should hold the Cat.

This must be carried in such a way that it cannot be seen by the batsmen, both boys a.s.suming the same att.i.tude. Both boys then resume their previous places. They kneel down, still keeping the same att.i.tudes. The batsmen, keeping their sticks in the holes, then agree which of the two holds the Cat. One batsman runs across and puts his stick into the hole behind which the boy kneels whom they consider has the Cat, the other then running to his place. If they are right in their guess, the holder of the Cat throws it across the ground for the opposite bowler to put it in the hole before the second batsman reaches it. If they guess wrongly, the holder of the Cat puts it into the hole as soon as the batsman runs, and they then become the batsmen for the next game. If the batsmen leave their holes unguarded with the stick, the catsmen can at any time put them ”out,” by putting the Cat in a hole. If more than two boys on a side play, the others field as in ”Cricket.”-Barnes (A. B. Gomme).

See ”Cat and Dog.”

Curcuddie

I. Will ye gang to the lea, Curcuddie, And join your plack wi' me, Curcuddie?

I lookit about and I saw naebody, And linkit awa' my lane, Curcuddie.

-Chambers' _Popular Rhymes_, p. 139.

II. Will ye gang wi' me, Curcuddie, Gang wi' me o'er the lea?

I lookit roun', saw naebody; Curcuddie, he left me.

-Biggar (William Ballantyne).

(_b_) This is a grotesque kind of dance, performed in a shortened posture, sitting on one's hams, with arms akimbo, the dancers forming a circle of independent figures. It always excites a hearty laugh among the senior bystanders; but, ridiculous as it is, it gives occasion for the display of some spirit and agility, as well as skill, there being always an inclination to topple over. Each performer sings the verse (Chambers; Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Encyclopaedia_).

Mr. Ballantyne says that each one apart tried to dance by throwing out their feet and jumping sideways.

(_c_) The first syllable of this word is, says Jamieson, undoubtedly the verb _curr_, to sit on the houghs or hams. The second may be from Teut.

_kudde_, a flock; _kudd-en_, coire, convenire, congregari, aggregari; _kudde wijs_, gregatim, catervatim, q. to curr together. The same game is called _Harry Hurcheon_ in the North of Scotland, either from the resemblance of one in this position to a _hurcheon_, or hedge-hog, squatting under a bush; or from the Belg. _hurk-en_ to squat, to _hurkle_.-Jamieson.

See ”Cobbler's Hornpipe,” ”Cutch-a-Cutchoo.”

Curly Locks

[Music]

I. Curly locks, curly locks, Wilt thou be mine?

Thou shalt not wash dishes Nor yet feed the swine; But sit on a fine cus.h.i.+on And sew a fine seam, And feed upon strawberries, Sugar and cream.

-Earls Heaton (Herbert Hardy).

II. Bonny la.s.s, canny la.s.s, Wilta be mine?

Thou's nowder wesh dishes Nor sarra the swine: But sit on thy crippy, &c.

-d.i.c.kinson's _c.u.mberland Glossary_.

(_b_) Two children, a girl and a boy, separate from their fellows, who are not particularly placed, the boy caressing the girl's curls and singing the verses.