236 IDLEHURST : 



wicket and seven runs still to be got. Then arrives 

 to Sam Veness, the last man in, that lucky hour which 

 awaits the feeblest bat, once perhaps in a season. 

 While Bob plays beautifully, Sam makes wonderful 

 strokes from the handle or tip of his bat, puts up easy 

 catches which no one can reach, and hits the only 

 really good-length ball of the match into the road for 

 five. He is too much astonished at himself to think 

 about running, and the strain upon Bob must be 

 serious while he exhorts and implores and advises for 

 five or six overs, until a generous overthrow gives us 

 the match, and we thump the benches lustily to 

 relieve our feelings. One over more, and Bob, fall- 

 ing by 



" A mortal stroke 

 What time the foeman's line is broke," 



puts up one in the slips, and trots into the tent the 

 hero of the day. 



The horses are caught, and away we go for home, 

 swaying and jolting through the honeysuckle lanes, 

 with song and chorus and compliments to Bob ; and 

 to him the negative compliment of wholesomer talk 

 than is customary in these outings, and perhaps of the 

 shortened stoppage at the Compasses on the way. 



