180 THE COMPLETE SPORTSMAN 



governing the conduct to be adopted by a bats- 

 man whose innings is at an end and who wishes 

 to return to the pavilion or tent with ease and 

 dignity. Should he have scored, say, a dozen 

 runs he may walk calmly away from the wicket, 

 unbuttoning his glove as he goes. If his score 

 has reached twenty, his return to the tent will be 

 greeted with wild applause, when he should break 

 into a slow trot as he approaches the spectators, 

 touching his hat every few yards in acknowledg- 

 ment of their cheers. Should he have compiled 

 fifty runs he may start running directly he leaves 

 the wicket and sprint briskly and with bared 

 head to the shelter of the tent. If, however, he 

 has made what is technically known as a " duck's 

 egg," he should avoid all expressions of annoy- 

 ance, should never throw his bat away with an 

 oath or attempt to break it across his knee, but 

 he may pardonably creep on all fours from the 

 v^dcket to the back entrance of the " Bull and 

 Kingfisher," and there drown his woes in the only 

 satisfactory fashion possible. 



5. 



There are certain minor rules of etiquette to 

 which the village bowler should conform if he 

 wishes to command the respect of his peers. It 

 is usual, for instance, when the captain of your 



