ball almost wide to the off;[20] the batter steps
out and cuts it beautifully to where cover-point is standing very
deep; in fact, almost off the ground. The ball comes skimming and
twisting along about three feet from the ground; he rushes at it, and
it sticks somehow or other in the fingers of his left hand, to the
utter astonishment of himself and the whole field.

[18] #Byes#: runs on balls that have passed the wicket-keeper.

[19] #Team#: one of the parties or sides in a game.

[20] #Off#: to the right of the batsman.

Such a catch hasn't been made in the close for years, and the cheering
is maddening. "Pretty cricket," says the captain, throwing himself on
the ground by the deserted wicket, with a long breath; he feels that a
crisis has past.

I wish I had space to describe the match; how the captain stumped the
next man off a leg-shooter,[21] and bowled small cobs[22] to old Mr.
Aislabie, who came in for the last wicket. How the Lord's men were out
by half-past twelve o'clock for ninety-eight runs. How the captain of
the School eleven went in first to give his men pluck, and scored
twenty-five in beautiful style; how Rugby was only four behind in the
first innings[23] What a glorious dinner they had in the fourth-form
School, and how the cover-point hitter sang the most topping[24] comic
songs, and old Mr. Aislabie made the best speeches that ever were
heard, afterward. But I haven't space, that's the fact, and so you
must fancy it all and carry yourselves on to half-past seven o'clock,
when the School are again in, with five wickets down, and only
thirty-two runs to make to win. The Marylebone men played carelessly
in their second innings, but they are working like horses now to save
the match.

[21] #Stumped off a leg-shooter#: perhaps to put a man out of
play by knocking down his wicket.

[22] #Cobs#: balls peculiarly bowled.

[23] #Innings#: turns for using the bat.

[24] #Topping#: wonderful.

SOME OLD FRIENDS.

There is much healthy, hearty, happy life scattered up and down the
close; but the group to which I beg to call your special attention is
there on the slope of the island, which looks toward the
cricket-ground. It consists of three figures: two are seated on the
bench, and one on the ground at their feet. The first, a tall, slight,
and rather gaunt man, with a bushy eyebrow, and a dry, humorous smile,
is evidently a clergyman. He is carelessly dressed,