one
or two of the schoolhouse seniors instead, and with their help kept up
the courage and hopes of the young Welchers, wisely taking care,
however, by a little occasional judicious snubbing, to prevent them from
becoming too cocky or sure of the result.

It was quite an event to see the Welchers' flag hoisted once more on the
cricket-ground. Indeed, it was such an event that the doctor himself
came down to watch the play, while the muster of schoolboys was almost
as large as at a senior house match.

Among all the spectators, none were more interested in the event than
the seniors, who had taken upon themselves the responsibility of
"coaching" their respective teams.

Riddell was quite excited and nervous as he watched his men go out to
field, while Bloomfield, though he would have been the last to own it,
felt decidedly fidgety for the fate of his young champions.

However, Parretts, who went in first, began better than any one
expected. Parson and King went boldly--not to say rashly--to work from
the outset, and knocked the bowling about considerably before a lucky
ball from Philpot got round the bat of the former and demolished his
wicket.

Wakefield followed, and he too managed to put a few runs together; but
as soon as his wicket fell a dismal quarter of an hour followed for the
Parretts. Boy after boy, in all the finery of spotless flannel and pads
and gloves, swaggered up to the wicket, and, after taking "middle" in
magnificent style, and giving a lordly glance round the field, as though
to select the best point for placing their strokes, lifted their bats
miserably at the first ball that came, and had no chance of lifting it
at another.

It was a melancholy spectacle, and far more calculated to excite pity
than amusement. Bloomfield chafed and growled for some time, and then,
unable to stand it any longer, went off in disgust, leaving the young
reprobates to their fate.

Scarcely less remarkable than the collapse of Parrett's was the
steadiness of Welch's in the field. Although they had little to do,
they did what there was to do neatly and well, and, unlike many junior
elevens, did it quietly. The junior matches at Willoughby had usually
been more famous for noise than cricket, but on this occasion the order
of things was reversed, and Riddell, as he looked on and heard the
compliments from all quarters bestowed on his young heroes, might be
excused if he felt rewarded for all the labour and pat