be a very
capital player for his age, and the two young antagonists commenced
their game. For some time they went on pretty evenly. Tom was very cool
and cautious, and George, who put out all his strength, got several
notches, and continued ahead of his rival. It almost seemed doubtful
whether George was not a better player than he had been taken for, and
as the lads who were looking on cried out, 'Now, George,' 'Now, Tom,'
George seemed to have as good a chance of the game as Tom. But Tom was
not fagged as George was, nor was he so hasty in his temper. He was not
at all moved at the show of adverse fortune against him, while George
was in a complete agitation, and on the very first reverse so put out
that he bit his lip with anger, and flung at the bowler with great
violence the ball which he had missed. It took the direction of Tom
Fletcher's eyebrow, narrowly escaping his eye, and the boy put up his
hand in agony to his enlarged forehead.

'Oh, I am very sorry, Tom,' said George, who had most unintentionally
done the mischief.

'Oh, I don't mind a bit,' replied Tom, who was a very hardy boy. 'Stand
to your bat, man.' And with one hand held to his aching head, he bowled
sharply with the other, and dashed away the wickets.

'It is hardly fair play, for he was off his guard,' said one of the
other boys.

'If Tom could bowl with that black eye,' said Stevens, 'I think George
has no right to complain.'

'I don't complain,' said George, throwing down his bat. 'It's my own
fault; I was in a passion. The game is yours, Tom.'

'No, the game is not mine yet, George,' said Tom, 'even if you go out
now, for though you sent the ball in a passion, I had no right to take
you in as I did. I was in a passion, too, or I should not have bowled
upon you so sharp. Come, give me your hand, and then take up the bat,
man, and we will see what we can do.'

'Then take back your two notches to set against the black eye,' said
George, giving his hand. Tom, however, would not agree to this, and it
was at length settled that they should go on as if nothing had happened.
George took up the bat, and Tom returned to the bowling place. George's
notches increased rapidly, but it was evident the cause of this was in
Tom's eye, which by this time was almost closed, though the spirited boy
did not once complain of pain. George requested him not to go on, but he
persisted in bowling till his opponent threw down the bat, declaring it
was not fair