person must have physical powers for it; he must study the
principles of the game; why he should stand in certain positions, and
why his bat should be kept in a particular way; and also he should
practise it frequently, so as to make his hands and arms thoroughly
obedient to the will. Buttar and Bouldon first went in. They made some
capital hits. Bouldon scored twelve by as many runs from four hits in
succession.

"Bravo, Tom!--bravo, Bouldon!" resounded on all sides. Bouldon got into
high spirits; he felt as if the whole success of the game depended on
him, that he could work wonders. He made one or two more capital hits,
but every instant he was growing vainer and more confident. He began to
hit wildly; to think more of hitting far than of where he sent the ball,
or of how he guarded his wicket. Proper caution and forethought is
required at cricket as well as in all the other affairs of life. A ball
came swiftly and straight for his wicket. He hit it--off it flew, but
the watchful eye of one of the other side was on it, and ere it reached
the ground it was caught. Tom threw down his bat, and declared that he
was always out of luck; that having done so well he hoped to have stayed
in to the end. Another boy took his place. He also did good service to
his side, but at length was bowled out. Buttar, who always played
coolly, remained in. He got several runs, but seldom more than two at a
time at the utmost. Ernest now went in. He had become a first-rate
cricketer. He possessed strength, activity, eye, and judgment, all
essential requisites to make a good player. Great things were therefore
expected from him. He, of course wished to do his best. He quietly
took up the bat, weighed it for a moment, and finding that he had a
proper grasp, threw himself into the position ready for the ball. His
first hit was a telling one. Often had he and Buttar played together,
and they well knew what each could do. They ran three without risk.
They looked at each other, to judge about trying a fourth one, but it
was too much, they saw, to attempt. Had they, Ernest would have been
out. Hit after hit was made, several, however, without getting runs,
for the field was exerting itself to the utmost. If they could put
these two players out quickly they might win easily; if not, they would
have a hard struggle to beat them. Buttar played capitally, but at last
he was growing weary, and a new bowler was sent in. The ve