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 A contest now takes place between the two persons chosen by the Judges to be the two Guessers, one for each side, to decide which shall begin the game.

The Judge for the north side calls the name of the person chosen to be the Guesser for that side and the Custodian escorts him to his place within the circle.

The Judge for the south side calls the name of the person chosen to be Guesser for that side, and the Custodian escorts him to his place within the circle.

The Custodian then gives to each the wand belonging to his side and also one of the small balls.
The Guesser from the north side hides his ball in one of his hands, shifting it behind his back, then he holds out both hands in front of him with all the fingers closed except the index finger, which is extended as if pointing to the other Guesser.

Both hands and forearms must be rhythmically moved up and down.