e shorter, and some longer, to enable the players to strike the ball
out of any hole, or rut, or other place in which it might have got.

"These extra clubs are called putters, and the men who carry them cads,
or caddies," Ernest remarked to Ellis. "This heavy iron club is, you
see, to knock the ball out of a rut, which would very likely cause the
fracture of one of our wooden clubs. Now you understand all about the
matter. Follow me; I'll tell you what to do when Macgreggor is not
near; otherwise, though he is playing against us, he will advise us what
to do."

The ball was thrown up, and the game began. Macgreggor had the first
stroke. He sent the ball a considerable distance towards the nearest
hole.

Ernest had then to strike his ball. If he struck it very hard it might
go beyond the hole, which would have thrown him back; and if he did not
send it as far as the ball first struck, Macgreggor's party would have
had the right to strike twice before his would again strike the ball.

Ellis at first thought that there was nothing in the game, but he soon
perceived that there was a good deal of science required, and that
nothing but constant practical experience could make a person a good
player. He, however, as Bracebridge was doing, gave his mind entirely
to it, and by listening to the remarks made by Macgreggor, he learned
the rules and many of the manoeuvres golf players are accustomed to
practise. He very soon got deeply interested in the game, as did,
indeed, all the party; and perhaps had they been asked at the moment
what they considered one of the most delightful things to do all day,
they would all have pronounced in favour of playing golf.

Golf is a most difficult game to describe. I should liken it, in some
respects, to billiards on a grand scale, except that the balls have to
be put into holes instead of pockets; that they have to be struck with
the side instead of with the end of a club, and that there is no such
thing as cannoning.

Bracebridge sent his ball very cleverly a few yards only beyond
Macgreggor's, which called forth the latter's warm approval. Then
Gregson struck the ball, and sent it but a very short distance. Buttar
next sent theirs nearly up to the hole, and Bouldon then going on, and
being afraid of going beyond the hole, sent it not so far, as Buttar had
struck their ball.

"Two, two," shouted Bracebridge. "Now, Knowles, hit very gingerly, and
let me see if I cannot sen