42 The Course, the Camp, the Chase 



which goals are almost unknown, and one of the most 

 triumphant moments of my life was when I once kicked 

 a goal at the " tree " end. It was only in a small 

 match. My usual place was " flying man " or " short 

 behind," and on many occasions did I have a try to hit 

 the " tree " or the " door " which constitute the respective 

 goals at either end. There was never any time to take 

 a steady kick, for the " bully " was always very close ; 

 and whenever the ball did come out, my usual experi- 

 ence was that I kicked the ball, and somebody else 

 kicked me, which invariably resulted in my falling on 

 to the flat of my back. On the occasion referred to, 

 we were so far away from the tree end that, though I 

 had more time than usual, I thought it useless to try 

 for a goal, and kicked simply in that direction, without 

 taking any particular aim. It is always the unexpected 

 that happens, however. Away the ball sped, and I think 

 that our opponents were almost as pleased as we were 

 to see the ball hit the tree, for it was the only oppor- 

 tunity most of us ever had of seeing a goal obtained 

 in a match at the wall. It was a glorious moment, 

 although the pleasure of anticipation had been wanting ! 



