The six Singers, three for each side, sit in an open group on the ground near the ends of the rug, those wearing blue rosettes on the north and those wearing green rosettes on the south side.  The players take their seats on the ground on the line of the circle, those wearing blue rosettes on the north half, those wearing green rosettes on the south half of the circle.

When all are in their places the Custodian leads the two Judges to the rug, on which they are to sit a little back of the wands—­blue to the North, green to the South.  The Custodian then takes up the tally-rods, gives four to each of the Judges and retires to stand back of the rug, behind the Judges, ready for duty.

Up to this moment laughing and talking goes on among the players, but as the Custodian divides the tally-rods and hands them to the Judges instant silence falls on all present.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

The two Judges rise in their places.  The north side Judge holds the four tally-rods in his right hand, the south side Judge holds the four tally-rods in his left hand; the two then walk abreast to the standard.  There they face the North, move forward a few steps, pause, and each Judge holds up his tally-rods to the North, while all the players on both sides of the circle sing the following song: 

Song

1

  Hail!  O North!  Thy wind send
    To blow care away,
    To bring joy to-day;
      Makes Eyes keen,
  Make Hands swift for play.

[Music]

At the close of the stanza the two Judges lower their tally-rods, turn, walk toward the East, pause, then elevate their tally-rods, and all the players sing the second stanza.

2

  Hail!  O East!  Thy wind send
    To blow care away,
    To bring joy to-day;
      Makes Eyes keen,
  Make Hands swift for play.

At the close of the stanza the two Judges lower their tally-rods, turn, walk toward the South, pause, again elevate their tally-rods, while all the players sing the third stanza.

3

  Hail!  O South!  Thy wind send
    To blow care away,
    To bring joy to-day;
      Make Eyes keen,
  Make Hands swift for play.

At the close of this stanza the two Judges lower their tally-rods, turn, walk toward the West, pause, once more elevate their tally-rods, and all the players join in singing the fourth stanza.

4

  Hail!  O West!  Thy wind send
    To blow care away,
    To bring joy to-day;
      Make Eyes keen,
  Make Hands swift for play.

At the close of the song the Judges lower their tally-rods and walk to the rug, where they take their appointed seats behind the respective wands.  They then lay all the tally-rods on the space between them.

THE CONTEST