CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
If there was any one thing I dearly loved, it was a good game--a regularwell-fought struggle--at cricket. Oddly enough, I used to like to be onthe losing side, with the eleven who were so far behind that their fightwas becoming desperate, and every effort had to be made to steal a runhere and another there, slowly building up the score, with theexcitement gradually increasing, and the weaker side growing strongerand more hopeful hour by hour, till, perhaps, by the clever batting ofone boy, who has got well to work, and who, full of confidence, sets atdefiance the best efforts in every change of bowler, the score is liftedright up to the winning-point, and he comes back to the tent with thebat over his shoulder, amidst the cheers of all the lookers-on.
I suppose I got on well with my education at Doctor Browne's. I know Igot on well at cricket, for whenever a match was made up for someholiday, I was in so much request that both sides were eager to have me.
The Doctor had promised us a holiday to play the boys of a school atHastings. They were to come over on an omnibus, and a tent was to beset up in our field, where, after the game, a high tea was to beprovided for the visitors before they returned to Hastings in theevening.
I need hardly say that the day was looked forward to with the greatesteagerness, and that plans were made to give our visitors a thorough goodthrashing.
Burr major, as captain of the eleven, rather unwillingly, I'm afraid,but for the sake of the credit of the school, selected Mercer and me forthe match. I was to be wicket-keeper, and Mercer, from his clever andenduring running, and power to cover so much ground, was made long fieldoff.
Burr major and Stewart were to bowl, with Dicksee as a change whennecessary, for he had a peculiar knack and twist in handling a ball, andcould puzzle good players by sending in an innocent-looking,slowly-pitched ball, which looked as if it was going wide, and, when ithad put the batsman off his guard, and induced him to change hisposition, so as to send the ball flying out of the field, it wouldsuddenly curl round and go right into the wicket.
All went well. We practised every evening, and again for an hour beforebreakfast each morning, and, as I warmed up to my task, I easily stoppedall Stewart's or Burr major's swiftest balls, and got to know how todeal with what Mercer called "old Dicksee's jerry sneaks." The tentcame from Hastings the day before, and was set up ready, and the nextday was to be the match.
But, as Burns says, "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang afta-gley." So it was here; our plans went very much "a-gley," for I awokeon the morning of the match with a headache, which I knew wouldcompletely upset me for the day.
I did not know then, but I know now, that it was Polly Hopley's fault,and that her turnovers and cake were far too rich to be eaten inquantity by two boys sitting up in bed, and going to sleep directlyafter, in spite of the crumbs and scales of crust. I just remember thatI had a bad night, full of unpleasant dreams, all connected with thecricket match in some way. Now I was being horribly beaten; now I wasrunning after the ball, which went on and on, far away into space, andwould not be overtaken, and it was still bounding away when I awoke witha start. Then I fell asleep again, and lay bound and helpless, as itseemed to me, with Burr major taking advantage of my position to comeand triumph over me, which he did at first by sitting on my chest, andthen springing up to go through a kind of war-dance upon me, while Istared up at him helplessly.
Then Dicksee came with his face all swollen up, as it was after thefight, but he was grinning derisively at me, and while Burr major seemedto hold me down by keeping one foot pressed on my chest, Dicksee kneltby my side, and began to beat my head with a cricket bat.
_Bang, bang! bang, bang_! Blows that fell with the regularity of thebeats of a pendulum, and it seemed to me that he beat me into a state ofinsensibility, for both Burr major and he faded from my eyesight, thoughthe blows of the bat were still falling upon my head when I awoke in themorning; that is to say, they seemed to be falling, and it was someminutes before I fully understood that I was suffering from a badbilious headache.
"Now then, why don't you jump up?" said Mercer, as I lay with my eyesshut, and at this I got up slowly, began to dress, and then, feeling toogiddy to stand, sat down by my bed.
"What's the matter?" cried Mercer.
"So ill. Head's so bad."
"Oh, that will be all right when you've had your breakfast. Mine achestoo. Look sharp. It's ever so late."
I tried to look sharp, but I'm afraid I looked very blunt, and it tookme a long time to get dressed and down-stairs, and out in the freshmorning air, where I walked up and down a bit, and then suffered myselfto be led into the play-field to see what a splendid tent had beenraised, with its canvas back close up to the hedge which separated theDoctor's grounds from the farm, with the intervening dry ditch, whichalways seemed to be full of the biggest stinging nettles I ever saw.
It was a glorious morning, the turf was short and beautifully level, theboys having joined hands the previous night to drag the great rollerwell over it. But the sunshine, the blue sky, and the delicious greenof the hedges and trees were all nothing to me then, and I let Mercerchatter on about the chances of the other side, which, as far as I wasconcerned, promised to be excellent.
The breakfast-bell rang, and we went in, but that morning meal did notfulfil Mercer's prophecy and carry off my ailment, for I could not toucha bit.
"Oh, you are a fellow!" cried my comrade. "Well; perhaps you are right.My father says it's best not to eat and drink when you have a badheadache. But look sharp and get well; the chaps will be over in goodtime."
By and by the news reached the captain of our eleven, and he came to meall smiles and civility, for all Burr major's ideas of revenge seemed tohave died out, as I thought, because I never presumed upon my victory.
"Oh, I say, Burr junior," he cried, "this won't do! You must look sharpand get well."
"I want to," I replied dolefully; "but I'm afraid I shan't be able toplay."
"But you must. If you don't, they'll be sure to beat us, and that wouldbe horrid."
"You mustn't let them beat you," I said, wishing all the while that hewould go, for my head throbbed more than ever, and varied it with asensation as of hot molten lead running round inside my forehead in away that was agonising.
"But what are we to do for a wicket-keeper?"
"You must take my place," I said feebly. "You are the bestwicket-keeper we have."
"No," he cried frankly, "you are; but I think I'm the best bowler."
"Well, you will be obliged to keep wicket to-day," I said, with a groan."I shall never be able to stir, I'm sure."
"Well, you do look precious mouldy," he cried. "It's a nuisance, and nomistake. I suppose we must make shift, then?"
"Yes; let Dicksee and Hodson bowl all the time."
"And I can put Senna on now and then for an over or two."
"I can't bowl well enough," said Mercer.
"Oh yes, you can when you like," said Burr major. "And, I say," hecried, taking out his watch, "it's getting close to the time."
Mercer's eyes glistened as the watch was examined, and it seemed to methat my companion sighed as the watch was replaced.
Just then Hodson came up.
"How is he?"
"Too bad to play, he says. Isn't it beastly?"
"Do you mean it, Burr junior?"
"Yes," I said. "I'm very, very queer. I couldn't play."
"You ain't shamming, are you?"
"Look at me and see," I replied faintly, and directly after I felt acool hand laid on my burning forehead.
"There's no gammon about it," said Hodson. "We must do the best we can.Look sharp, Senna."
"Yes," said Burr major; "he'll have to take a turn at the bowling."
"I shan't play if Frank Burr don't," said Mercer stoutly.
"What?" cried the two boys together.
"You must put some one else on instead of me; I've got a headache too."
"Oh, I say," cried Ho
dson, and he and Burr both tried hard to shakeMercer's sudden resolution. I too tried, but it was of no use; he grewmore stubborn every minute; and after Burr major had again referred tohis watch, the two lads went off together, disappointed and vexed.
"You might have gone and played with them, Tom," I said.
"I know that," he replied; "but I wasn't going without you. I'm goingto stop and talk."
"No, no, don't," I said. "I only want to be quiet till--Oh, my head, myhead!"
"Why, Burr junior, what's this?" cried Mr Hasnip, coming up andspeaking cheerily. "Bad headache? not going to play?"
"No, sir, I feel too ill."
"Oh, come, this is a bad job. Hi, Rebble!"
The latter gentleman came up.
"Here's Burr junior queer. Does he want a doctor, do you think?"
Mr Rebble looked at me attentively for a few moments, and then saidquietly,--
"No; only a bilious headache, I should say. Go and lie down for an houror two, my lad, and perhaps it will pass off."
I gladly crawled up to our dormitory, took off my jacket and boots, andlay down on the bed, when I seemed to drop at once into a doze, fromwhich I started to find Mercer seated by the window looking out.
"Better?" he said, as I stirred.
"Better! No; I feel very ill. But what are you doing here?"
"Come to sit with you," he said stolidly.
Just then there was a burst of cheering, and the crunching noise made bywheels.
"Here they are," cried Mercer excitedly. "Oh, I say, I do wish you werebetter! I should like to lick those Hastings chaps."
"Then why don't you go?" I said pettishly. "Go and bowl."
"Shan't, without you," was the only reply I could get, and I lay turningmy head from side to side, trying to find a cool spot on the pillow, tohear every now and then a shout from the field, and then a burst ofplaudits, or cries of, "Well run!"
"Bravo!"
"Well fielded!" and more hand-clapping, all borne faintly in at thewindow, where Mercer sat with his arms folded, gazing out, but unable tosee the field from where he was.
After a time I once more dropped off into a doze and woke again with astart, under the impression that I had been asleep all day.
My head was not quite so bad, and, after lying still, thinking, andlistening to the shouts from the cricket-field, I said weakly,--
"Have they nearly done, Tom?"
"Done! No, of course not."
"What time is it?"
"Don't know. Haven't got a watch."
"Well, what time do you think it is?"
"'Bout two. They've just gone to the wickets again after lunch."
"Why don't you go and join them now?"
"You know. How's your head?"
"A little better, I think."
"Well enough to come down and look on?"
"Oh no," I said, with a shudder; "I feel too sick and ill for that."
"Have another snooze, then, and you'll be better still."
"But it's too bad to keep you out of the fun," I said.
"I didn't grumble. Go to sleep."
I determined that I would not, but I did, and woke again, to repeat myquestion about the time, and receive the answer that my companion hadnot got a watch.
"How long have I been asleep, then?" I asked.
"'Bout an hour. Here! hi! what are you going to do?"
"Get up, and go down in the field," I said.
"Hooray! Then it's all right again?"
"No," I replied; "but it's a little better, and I should like to go andlie down under the big hedge, and see our fellows win."
"Come, I do like that," cried Mercer eagerly, as I went to thewash-stand, well bathed my temples, and then, feeling very sick andfaint, but not in such pain, I put on my jacket and boots, and we wentslowly down-stairs, and out into the field, where every one was toointent to take much notice of us, as Tom led me up to the big hedge,where I lay down on the grass about fifty yards from where the tentstood close up; and from time to time I saw the boys who were about togo in to bat, go to the tent to take off their jackets and vests, andcome out ready for the fight.
Our boys were in, and I saw Dicksee change and go to the wicket to comeback with a "duck's egg," as we called it. Then Hodson went in and madea stand, but a quarter of an hour later, the boy who faced him wascaught, and Burr major walked up to the tent, disappeared, and came outagain all in white, with a brand-new bat over his shoulder.
Just then Mercer, who had been round to the scorers, came back, andstood watching Burr major as he marched off.
"Oh, I say," he said, "don't you wish you were in it, Frank?"
"Yes," I said, with a sigh. Then--"How's the game now?"
"We're a hundred behind 'em, and our fellows can't stand their bowling.If Eely and Hodson don't make a big stand, we shall have a horridlicking. Better?"
"Yes, a little," I said faintly, and then I lay watching the game, whileMercer walked about--now going up to the empty tent where the boys'clothes were, now coming back to me to talk about the game. Once hewent and lay down near the tent. Another time he went by it out ofsight, but he was soon back to see how I was, and off in the otherdirection, this time to go right round the field and come back by thetent, and throw himself down by my side.
"What do you think of it now? Oh, look! Hooray! hooray! Run! run!run!" he roared, and then joined in the hand-clapping, for Hodson hadmade a splendid leg hit, which brought us in four, and two more from anoverthrow.
This excited Tom Mercer to such an extent that he could not lie still,but went off again in the direction of the tent, while I began to knowthat I was better, from the interest I was able to take in the game.
Then, after seeing Burr major and Hodson make hit after hit, for theywere now well in, and punishing the bowling to a tremendous extent, Ibegan to think about how good-companion-like it had been of Mercer tospoil his own pleasure so as to stay with me, and I lay there resting onmy elbow, watching him for a few minutes, as he stood close up to thetent.
"Well, Burr junior, how's the head?" cried Mr Hasnip, strolling up withMr Rebble.
"A good deal better, sir," I replied, "but very far from well."
"You'll have to take a long night's rest before it will be quite right,"said Mr Rebble. "By the way, Mrs Browne said I was to report how youwere, so that she could send you something to take if you did not seembetter."
"Oh, I'm ever so much better, sir!" I cried hastily, for I had a keenrecollection of one of the good lady's doses which she had prescribed,and whose taste I seemed to distinguish then.
"Oh yes, you'll be all right in the morning," said Mr Hasnip. "Well,Mercer, how are we getting on?"
"I haven't been to the scorers' table, sir," said Mercer, who had justcome back from a spot near the tent, where he could get a better view ofthe field than from where I lay under the big oak tree.
"Run and ask, my lad," said Mr Rebble, and he and Mr Hasnip sat downnear me, and chatted so pleasantly that I forgot all about the way inwhich they tortured me sometimes with questions.
In due time Mercer came back to announce that Hodson and Burr major hadput on sixty-one between them, and that there were hopes that the gamemight be pulled out of the fire even then.
Mercer sat down now beside me, and, the ground in front clearing alittle, we had a good view of the game, which grew more and moreinteresting as the strangers fought their best to separate our twostrongest men, and stop them from steadily piling up the score; the loudbursts of shouting stirring them on to new efforts, which resulted inthe ball being sent here, there, and everywhere, for twos, threes, andfours, till the excitement seemed to have no bounds.
Then came a check, just as the servants had been busy carrying urns,teapots, and piled-up plates into the tent, for it was getting late inthe afternoon.
The check was caused by a ball sent skying by Hodson and cleverlycaught, with the result that one of our best cricketers shouldered hisbat and marched
off the ground, but proudly, for he had had a splendidinnings, and quite a jubilation of clapping hands ran round the field.
Another took his place, and helped Burr major to make a little longerstand, but the spirit had gone out of his play, which became more andmore cautious. He stole one here and sent the ball for one there, butmade no more brilliant hits for threes and fours.
At last after a good innings the fresh man was clean bowled, and anothertook his place.
"Last of 'em," said Mercer. "Oh, if they can only do it! We only wantfive to win."
But during the next quarter of an hour these five were not made. Thenew-comer contented himself with playing on the defensive, and with theknowledge to trouble him of the game resting entirely on his shoulders,Burr major grew more and more nervous, missing excellent chances that hewould have jumped at earlier in his innings.
"Four to win." Then the fresh boy got a chance, and made one which sentour lads nearly frantic.
"Three only to win," and there seemed to be not a doubt of our successnow,--for it was "our" success, though I had had nothing to do with theresult.
And now Burr major had a splendid chance, but he was too nervous to takeit, and the over proved blank, as did the next. But in the one whichfollowed, the fresh boy sent a ball just by mid-wicket, a run wasstolen, and I, too, grew so excited that I forgot my headache and roseto my knees.
It was a fresh over, a change had been made in the bowling, and thefirst ball was delivered and stopped.
The second ball went rushing by the wicket, but it was not wide; and nowthe third ball was bowled. It seemed to be an easy one, and in themidst of the most profound excitement, Burr major gathered himselftogether for a big hit, struck out, and--the ball went flying out of thefield?
No; Burr major just missed it, the off-bail was bowled clean and fell adozen yards away.
We were beaten.
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