By Sheer Pluck | Page 2

bowling is collared."
Frank obeyed orders. In the next twenty minutes he only scored six
runs, all in singles, while Thompson, who was also playing very
carefully, put on thirteen. The game looked more hopeful for the Town
boys. Then there was a shout from the House, as Thompson's middle
wicket was sent flying. Childers, who was the last of the team, walked
out.
"Now, Childers," Thompson said, "don't you hit at a ball. You're safe to
be bowled or caught if you do. Just lift your bat, and block them each
time. Now, Frank, it's your turn to score. Put them on as fast as you can.
It's no use playing carefully any longer."
Frank set to to hit in earnest. He had now got his eye well in, and the

stand which he and Thompson had made together, had taken the sting
out of the bowling. The ball which had taken Thompson's wicket was
the last of the over. Consequently the next came to him. It was a little
wide, and Frank, stepping out, drove it for four. A loud shout rose from
the Town boys. There had only been one four scored before, during the
innings. Off the next ball Frank scored a couple, blocked the next, and
drove the last of the over past long leg for four. The next over Childers
strictly obeyed orders, blocking each ball. Then it was Frank's turn
again, and seven more went up on the board. They remained together
for just fifteen minutes, but during that time thirty-one had been added
to the score. Frank was caught at cover point, having added
twenty-eight since Thompson left him, the other three being credited to
Childers. The total was eighty-one--not a bad score in a school match.
"Well, you've redeemed yourself," Thompson said, as Frank walked to
the tent. "You played splendidly, old fellow, when you did come. If we
do as well next innings we are safe. They're not likely to average eighty.
Now get on your wicket-keeping gloves. Green and I will bowl."
The House scored rapidly at first, and fifty runs were put on with the
loss of four wickets. Then misfortune fell upon them, and the
remaining six fell for nineteen. The next innings Frank went in first, but
was caught when the score stood at fifteen. Thompson made fourteen,
but the rest scored but badly, and the whole were out for forty-eight.
The House had sixty-one to get to win. Six wickets had fallen for
fifty-one runs, when Thompson put Childers on to bowl. The change
was a fortunate one. Ruthven's stumps were lowered at the first ball.
Handcock was caught off the second. The spirits of the Town boys rose.
There were but two wickets more, and still ten runs to get to win. The
House played cautiously now, and overs were sent down without a run.
Then off a ball from Childers a four was scored, but the next ball
leveled the outside stump. Then by singles the score mounted up until a
tremendous shout from the House announced that the game was saved,
sixty runs being marked by the scorers. The next ball, the Town boys
replied even more lustily, for Childers ball removed the bails, and the
game ended in a tie. Both parties were equally well satisfied, and
declared that a better game had never been played at Dr. Parker's. As
soon as the game was over Frank, without waiting to join in the general
talk over the game, put on his coat and waistcoat and started at a run for

home.
Frank Hargate was an only son. His mother lived in a tiny cottage on
the outskirts of Deal. She was a widow, her husband, Captain Hargate,
having died a year before. She had only her pension as an officer's
widow, a pittance that scarce sufficed even for the modest wants of
herself, Frank, and her little daughter Lucy, now six years old.
"I hope I have not kept tea waiting, mother," Frank said as he ran in. "It
is not my beetles and butterflies this time. We have been playing a
cricket match, and a first rate one it was. Town boys against the House.
It ended in a tie."
"You are only a quarter of an hour late," his mother said, smiling,
"which is a great deal nearer being punctual than is usually the case
when you are out with your net. We were just going to begin, for I
know your habits too well to give you more than a quarter of an hour's
law."
"I'm afraid I am horridly unpunctual," Frank said, "and yet, mother, I
never go out without making up my mind that I will be in sharp to time.
But somehow there is always something which