their team play the worse. At the third hole they were far behind
and hopelessly bewildered. What with Monty's borrowed coat, with its
dazzling effect upon Ambrose, and Link's oft-repeated allusion to
Ed's matrimonial state, and Stillwell's vociferated disgust, and the
clamoring good intention and pursuit of the cowboy supporters, and the
embarrassing presence of the ladies, Ambrose and Ed wore through all
manner of strange play until it became ridiculous.

"Hey, Link," came Monty's voice booming over the links, "our esteemed
rivals are playin' shinny."

Madeline and Dorothy gave up, presently, when the game became a rout,
and they sat down with their followers to watch the fun. Whether by hook
or crook, Ed and Ambrose forged ahead to come close upon Monty and Link.
Castleton disappeared in a mass of gesticulating, shouting cowboys. When
that compact mass disintegrated Castleton came forth rather hurriedly,
it appeared, to stalk back toward his hostess and friends.

"Look!" exclaimed Helen, in delight. "Castleton is actually excited.
Whatever did they do to him? Oh, this is immense!"

Castleton was excited, indeed, and also somewhat disheveled.

"By Jove! that was a rum go," he said, as he came up. "Never saw such
blooming golf! I resigned my office as umpire."

Only upon considerable pressure did he reveal the reason. "It was like
this, don't you know. They were all together over there, watching each
other. Monty Price's ball dropped into a hazard, and he moved it to
improve the lie. By Jove! they've all been doing that. But over there
the game was waxing hot. Stillwell and his cowboys saw Monty move the
ball, and there was a row. They appealed to me. I corrected the play,
showed the rules. Monty agreed he was in the wrong. However, when it
came to moving his ball back to its former lie in the hazard there was
more blooming trouble. Monty placed the ball to suit him, and then he
transfixed me with an evil eye.

"'Dook,' he said. I wish the bloody cowboy would not call me that.
'Dook, mebbe this game ain't as important as international politics or
some other things relatin', but there's some health an' peace dependin'
on it. Savvy? For some space our opponents have been dead to honor an'
sportsmanlike conduct. I calculate the game depends on my next drive.
I'm placin' my ball as near to where it was as human eyesight could.
You seen where it was same as I seen it. You're the umpire, an', Dook, I
take you as a ho