"Five down is a big handicap," said Bob. "Still the match is young yet."
"He's had beastly luck at the last two holes," grumbled Dick Tresize, who was evidently deeply chagrined.
The next hole was halved in bogey. Bob got his four easily, but
Trevanion only halved his by a long and uncertain putt.
"Five up at the sixth," shouted the Admiral. "Come, Bob, that's better, you've halved a hole at last."
Bob said nothing, but cast a look at Nancy, who was pale with excitement. He could see how anxious she was, and noted the confident air with which Trevanion approached the next tee. Although his position seemed almost hopeless, a feeling of confidence came into his heart. He had measured his opponent by this time, and he knew he had got to his old mastery of his clubs. He felt sure, too, that he could play the stronger game, even although he had lost hole after hole in succession.
Trevanion again drove, but this time his ball was off the line and landed in a huge basin of sand. Bob's, on the other hand, was perfectly straight. It carried the bunker a hundred and forty yards from the tee, and was well on its way to the green. As a consequence, although the bogey was five, Bob did it in four and won the hole.
"You played that well, Nancarrow," said Trevanion.
"The wind helped me," replied Bob.
The next hole was also a five bogey; but again Bob, who reached the green in two, got out in four, while Trevanion took five. He had reduced the difference between them to three. The ninth hole was halved.
"Three up at the turn for the Army," shouted the Admiral.