f the goal-post; and the triumphant
Archangels made their goal. Then "time" was called-two goals all; but
Lutyens had to be helped up, and Grey Dawn rose with his near hind-leg
strained somewhere.

"What's the damage?" said Powell, his arm around Lutyens.

"Collar-bone, of course," said Lutyens, between his teeth. It was the
third time he had broken it in two years, and it hurt him.

Powell and the others whistled.

"Game's up," said Hughes.

"Hold on. We've five good minutes yet, and it isn't my right hand. We
'll stick it out."

"I say," said the Captain of the Archangels, trotting up, "are you
hurt, Lutyens? We'll wait if you care to put in a substitute. I wish--I
mean--the fact is, you fellows deserve this game if any team does. 'Wish
we could give you a man, or some of our ponies--or something."

"You 're awfully good, but we'll play it to a finish, I think."

The Captain of the Archangels stared for a little. "That's not half
bad," he said, and went back to his own side, while Lutyens borrowed a
scarf from one of his native officers and made a sling of it. Then an
Archangel galloped up with a big bath-sponge, and advised Lutyens to put
it under his armpit to ease his shoulder, and between them they tied
up his left arm scientifically; and one of the native officers leaped
forward with four long glasses that fizzed and bubbled.

The team looked at Lutyens piteously, and he nodded. It was the last
quarter, and nothing would matter after that. They drank out the
dark golden drink, and wiped their moustaches, and things looked more
hopeful.

The Maltese Cat had put his nose into the front of Lutyens' shirt and
was trying to say how sorry he was.

"He knows," said Lutyens, proudly. "The beggar knows. I've played him
without a bridle before now--for fun."

"It's no fun now," said Powell. "But we haven't a decent substitute."

"No," said Lutyens. "It's the last quarter, and we've got to make our
goal and win. I'll trust The Cat."

"If you fall this time, you'll suffer a little," said Macnamara.

"I'll trust The Cat," said Lutyens.

"You hear that?" said The Maltese Cat, proudly, to the others. "It's
worth while playing polo for ten years to have that said of you. Now
then, my sons, come along. We'll kick up a little bit, just to show the
Archangels this team haven't suffered."

And, sure enough, as they went on to the ground, The Maltese Cat, after
satisfying himself that Lutyens was home in the sadd