In Scotland there is a game nearly the same in denomination as
“Barley-break,” though differently played. It is termed
“Barla-breikis,” or “Barley-bracks.” Dr. Jamieson says it is generally
played by young people, in a corn-yard about the stacks; and hence
called _Barla-bracks_, “One stack is fixed as the _dule_ or goal, and
one person is appointed to catch the rest of the company, who run out
from the _dule_. He does not leave it till they are all out of his
sight. Then he sets out to catch them. Any one who is taken, cannot run
out again with his former associates, being accounted a prisoner, but is
obliged to assist his captor in pursuing the rest. When all are taken,
the game is finished; and he who is first taken, is bound to act as
catcher in the next game. This innocent sport seems to be almost
entirely forgotten in the south of Scotland. It is also falling into
desuetude in the north.”[11]
[9] It may be doubted whether in the rude simplicity of ancient times,
this word in the game of Barley-break was applied in the same manner
that it would be in ours.
[10] _Fremeb_, (obsolete,) strange, foreign. _Ash._ Corrupted from
_fremd_, which, in Saxon and Gothic, signified a stranger, or an
enemy. _Nares._
[11] Mr. Archdeacon Nares’s Glossary.
* * * * *
~Scraps.~