o is departing with a rueful countenance.

[38] #Swiping#: not a scientific hit.

"I knew how it would be," says Tom, rising. "Come along; the game's
getting very serious."

So they leave the island and go to the tent, and after deep
consultation Arthur is sent in, and goes off to the wicket with a last
exhortation from Tom to play steady and keep his bat straight. To the
suggestions that Winter is the best bat left Tom only replies: "Arthur
is the steadiest, and Johnson will make the runs if the wicket is only
kept up."

"I am surprised to see Arthur in the eleven," said the master, as they
stood together in front of the dense crowd, which was now closing in
round the ground.

"Well, I'm not quite sure that he ought to be in for his play,"[39]
said Tom, "but I couldn't help putting him in. It will do him so much
good, and you can't think what I owe him."

[39] #His play#: his skill.

THE FINISH.

The master smiled. The clock strikes eight, and the whole field
becomes fevered with excitement. Arthur, after two narrow escapes,
scores one; and Johnson gets the ball. The bowling and fielding are
superb, and Johnson's batting worthy the occasion. He makes here a two
and there a one, managing to keep the ball to himself, and Arthur
backs up and runs perfectly; only eleven runs to make now, and the
crowd scarcely breathe. At last Arthur gets the ball again, and
actually drives it forward for two, and feels prouder than when he got
the three best prizes, at hearing Tom's shout of joy, "Well played,
well played, young un!"

But the next ball is too much for a young hand, and his bails fly
different ways. Nine runs to make, and two wickets to go down--it is
too much for human nerves.

Before Winter can get in,[40] the omnibus which is to take the Lord's
men to the train pulls up at the side of the close, and Mr. Aislabie
and Tom consult, and give out that the stumps will be drawn after the
next over. And so ends the great match. Winter and Johnson carry out
their bats, and, it being a one day's match, the Lord's men are
declared the winners, they having scored the most in the first
innings.

[40] #Winter can get in#: before Winter can get a chance to
play.

But such a defeat is a victory; so think Tom and all the School
eleven, as they accompany their conquerors to the omnibus, and send
them off with three ringing cheers, after Mr. Aislabie had shaken
hands all round, saying to Tom, "I must co