ould be in position after
croqueting, it may prefer to decline the run and make it again. It must
be remembered that it is not in position if placed under the arch to
croquet, and that the roquet must have been legitimate at the time of
contact, otherwise the run is the only point made, for the right to
re-roquet cannot be antedated.

CASE.--A ball makes roquet and runs a bridge at the same shot. After
croqueting, he attempts to run the bridge and fails. Can he adopt the
previous run? No. The attempt to run the bridge shows that he elected to
decline the bridge. If he wishes to play in the direction of the bridge
without declining he should signify his election, and then an accidental
run will not constitute a point. If he plays in another direction, the
bridge is not declined unless he so signify. He has the option at the
time, but must make his choice at once; and if he says nothing before he
plays, he is committed to that alternative which his play seems
naturally to indicate.

39. _A step on the round made by a ball through concussion, croquet, or
roquet-croquet from another ball, cannot be declined, and the next step
becomes proper._

40. _A step on the round made by flinch, accident, or misplay, is valid
or not at the option of the enemy of the party in fault, who must make
their decision at once._

In case of accident or displace through a misplaying ball, it depends
upon whether the ball is left or replaced. In case of the misplayer's
ball, or a flinching ball, the option is with the enemy. In the cases of
Rule 39 there is no option, and in Rule 36 it rests with the player
himself.

41. _If a ball makes two successive steps on the round with one blow of
the mallet, and does not decline the latter, it may take ground up to a
standard mallet's length before continuing its tour._

The first step cannot be declined from the nature of the case; the
second may, but then there is no ground for the premium. The second
point will be declined if it is possible to make very good position for
the second bridge by roquet, or to glance off from the stake to
advantage. If the mallet's length allows a ball to take ground on the
reverse side of its proper bridge this will not count as a run, nor will
the ball be in position if placed under the arch. Up to a mallet's
length of course includes everything less.

42. _A step on the round is not declined if it be made the ground for
continuance of tour, re-roquet, or taking