my best to recall the chief features of
the game as they presented themselves to me from my post, first at
cover-point, and (while our side was batting) from the tent and the
wickets.

The first few overs were not eventful. They rarely are. Our men had to
get used to the ground and the ball; and the batsmen chose to be
exceedingly careful how they hit out at first. In the third over a
single run was made, and of course the Westfield fellows cheered as if
the match were already won. Then gradually came one or two more
singles, a two, another one, a three, and then, just as the two batsmen
were getting into good humour and fancying they might lay about them a
little more freely, down went the first wicket amid the cheers of our
fellows, and we saw the figures 12 posted up on the telegraph, as
indicating the score so far standing to the credit of Westfield.

We had not long to wait for the next man in, and still less long to see
him out, poor fellow! for the very first ball sent his bails flying over
Steel's head, and he had to trudge back to the tent and take off his
pads almost before he had got used to the feel of them on his legs.

In the over following the arrival of his successor an easy catch by
point disposed of another wicket.

"This is something like!" I exclaimed to myself. "Three men out for
fourteen runs. If it goes on like this, we shall have it all our own
way"; and in my satisfaction I ventured to communicate my ideas to the
man fielding at point.

"Adams, will you attend to the game?" It was Steel who spoke, and at
the sound of his voice I started like one shot, and discovered that the
next man was in and ready to begin. I stepped back to my place in an
instant, and would sooner have had one of Hurley's swiftest balls catch
me on the bare shin than be thus publicly called to order before the
whole field. I can safely say that never in my life since that moment
have I caught myself talking during "play" in a cricket match.

I felt in disgrace, and got nervous; I dared not look at Steel, for fear
of meeting his eye. I wished myself a mile away, and repented of my
satisfaction of being in the first eleven. Most devoutly I hoped no
ball would chance near me, as I should assuredly miss it. As the
thought passed my mind the man who was batting cut a ball hard and low
in my direction. It was so hard and so low that under any circumstances
it would have been a most difficult ball to field, stil