A match or small piece of wood is lighted and when well afire blown out. It is then passed from one player to another with the words, “Jack’s alive,” and may be handed about so long as a live spark remains. The trick is to dispose of Jack while he is still alive but no player needs to take him unless the words, “Jack’s alive” are quoted. Jack may not be handed along after he is dead but the player in whose hands he dies must pay a forfeit or have a mustache drawn on his face with the end of the burned stick.
Games for All Occasions by Mary E. Blain