nary won the toss, and by the advice of Jim Fleming sent the
Columbians in, and there was no Seminary lad nor any Muirtown man, for
the Frenchman did not count--who denied that the strangers played a
good, clean game--pretty form, and brave scoring; and on their part the
Columbians were not slow to acknowledge that the Seminary knew how to
field, wherever they had learned it. No ball sliding off the bat, could
pass Dunc Robertson, and as for byes they were impossible with Speug as
long-stop, for those were the days when there were long-stops. Cosh had
his faults, and they were not few, but the Seminary thought more of him
after a miraculous catch which he made at long-off; and Bauldie, at
square-leg, might not be able to prevent a two occasionally, but he
refused to allow fours. Jock Howieson was a graceless bowler and an
offence to the eye, but his balls were always in the line of the middle
stump, and their rate that of an express train; and Nestie not only had
a pretty style, but a way of insinuating himself among the wickets which
four Columbians had not the power to refuse. There was a bit of work at
long-field, which even the Columbians could not help cheering, though it
lost them a wicket, and the way in which a ball was sent up from
cover-point to Dunc Robertson, and so took another wicket, wrung a word
of private praise from the Columbian umpire. Still, the Seminary was
fighting against heavy odds, an uphill, hopeless battle, and when the
visitors went out with a hundred and one to their score, Mr. McGuffie
senior was doubtful of his sovereign; and only the Count prophesied
triumph, going round and shaking hands individually with every one of
his "dogs," and magnifying their doings unto the sky. Bailie
MacConachie, by this time was lost in the crowd, working his way
gradually to the front, and looking as if he would have liked to cheer,
but thinking it better not to call attention to his presence. Then the
Seminary went in, and there is no question but that they had hard times
at the hands of the Columbians, who were well trained and played all
together. Robertson, who was the hope of the Seminary, went out for
twenty, and Bauldie for ten; Nestie played carefully, but only managed
twelve, and the other fellows were too easily bowled or caught out, each
adding something, but none doing much, till at last the score stood at
sixty-nine; with the last two of the Seminary in. Things were looking
very black, and even t