What our captain is about to say no one ever hears, for at that moment the ball is delivered, and Ned blocks it dead.
There is just time for one ball more, and on that all our hopes depend.
It comes, and Ned bangs at it! It’s a run! No, it isn’t! yes it is! The fielder has missed it. Hurrah! we are equal!
Actually they are running another! They won’t do it. Up comes the ball to the wicket-keeper, and forward darts Ned’s bat over the crease.
“How’s that, umpire?” cries the wicket-keeper.
“Not out!”
“Time’s up!”
Oh, how we cheer! How we rush forward and shoulder Ned home to the tent. Never was such a close shave of a match!
Ned himself by no means shares in the general excitement.
“Why, what a hurry you fellows were in!” he says. “Look here, George, I’ll show you now what I meant about the springs on the pads.”