Page:Hornung - Fathers of Men.djvu/291

 "Well caught, old fellow!" cried Evan from mid-off before any of them. "I was afraid I'd baulked you."

The others were as loud in their congratulations, and the field rang with cheers. But Evan kept Jan button-holed at mid-off, and they had a whisper together while the new batsman was on his way out.

"What about bowling them all out by lunch? You might almost do it after all!"

"I mean to, now."

"Six wickets in three quarters of an hour?"

"But there's not another Wilman or Swallow." "We shan't get him in a hurry."

"Even if we don't I believe I can run through the rest."

"You're a wonder!" exclaimed Evan, then drew still nearer and dropped his voice. "I say, Jan!"

"What is it? There's a man in."

"If you did get them I might still go by myself this afternoon!"

"Rot!"

"I'd have time if you put me in as late as I deserve. I can fight my own battle. I really"

"Shut up, will you? Man in!"

The "telegraph" now read: 65 4 33

Two overs later it was: 79 5  2

The new batsman had succumbed to Jan after an airy couple through the slips; but A. G. Swallow had begun to force the game in a manner more delightful to watch