and whose taste I seemed to distinguish then.

"Oh yes, you'll be all right in the morning," said Mr Hasnip. "Well,
Mercer, how are we getting on?"

"I haven't been to the scorers' table, sir," said Mercer, who had just
come back from a spot near the tent, where he could get a better view of
the field than from where I lay under the big oak tree.

"Run and ask, my lad," said Mr Rebble, and he and Mr Hasnip sat down
near me, and chatted so pleasantly that I forgot all about the way in
which they tortured me sometimes with questions.

In due time Mercer came back to announce that Hodson and Burr major had
put on sixty-one between them, and that there were hopes that the game
might be pulled out of the fire even then.

Mercer sat down now beside me, and, the ground in front clearing a
little, we had a good view of the game, which grew more and more
interesting as the strangers fought their best to separate our two
strongest men, and stop them from steadily piling up the score; the loud
bursts of shouting stirring them on to new efforts, which resulted in
the ball being sent here, there, and everywhere, for twos, threes, and
fours, till the excitement seemed to have no bounds.

Then came a check, just as the servants had been busy carrying urns,
teapots, and piled-up plates into the tent, for it was getting late in
the afternoon.

The check was caused by a ball sent skying by Hodson and cleverly
caught, with the result that one of our best cricketers shouldered his
bat and marched off the ground, but proudly, for he had had a splendid
innings, and quite a jubilation of clapping hands ran round the field.

Another took his place, and helped Burr major to make a little longer
stand, but the spirit had gone out of his play, which became more and
more cautious. He stole one here and sent the ball for one there, but
made no more brilliant hits for threes and fours.

At last after a good innings the fresh man was clean bowled, and another
took his place.

"Last of 'em," said Mercer. "Oh, if they can only do it! We only want
five to win."

But during the next quarter of an hour these five were not made. The
new-comer contented himself with playing on the defensive, and with the
knowledge to trouble him of the game resting entirely on his shoulders,
Burr major grew more and more nervous, missing excellent chances that he
would have jumped at earlier in his innings.

"Four to win." Then the fresh boy got a chance