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Higgins found they were not making many runs, for the fielding of the Tinbury Club was as good as its batting had been indifferent, and no balls were missed except those that went over their heads. This naturally tempted the players to hit the balls up.

The Woodbourne captain, who was reclining at full length under a hawthorn bush watching the game, saw the danger attending such random play, and he accordingly sent a boy to tell the players not to hit up if they could help it. But it was too late. While the boy was waiting for the finish of the "over" to allow of his conveying the message, John Williams sent a regular "sky-flier," and was at once caught out by Wilkins.

George Wasdell took Williams' place. Higgins was run out, and Edgar Foster took his bat. Two other changes were made, and still there were no runs worth speaking about. The captain of the Woodbourne Club began to look serious. When the next man got out, he took his bat and went to the wicket to see what he could do towards turning the tide in their favour. As he went in Birch took the place of Brown as bowler, and calling his men together urged them to be active and alert, as he knew the real work of the game was now about to begin.

The Woodbourne boys, who had been lounging about in every variety of posture, now assumed an appearance of greater interest. Up to this time they had contented themselves with lazily criticising the play of the various boys, cheering a good hit, or hissing an awkward blow. Of course there were dozens of boys quite prepared to show how the misfortunes of the various players might have been escaped. Indeed, some of the boys, who felt themselves neglected because they were not included in the eleven, hinted that if they had been playing the score would have looked very different. If a person, ignorant of the game had listened to their observations, he might have thought the eleven players were the merest novices, and that their critics were professors complacently patronising them.

Thornton played at first very quietly, and attempted no runs, but after awhile he warmed to the work, and getting now two runs, and then three, he quickly raised the score. Seeing that the "long-slip " was not a very quick fielder, he sent a few balls in that direction. The other captain noticing this, sent a good man from "leg" to that position. Forthwith Thornton changed his play, and sent the balls spinning away to leg, thereby getting three and four runs frequently.

Once there came a very pretty ball, and Thornton, notwithstanding his better judgment, could not resist the inclination to hit it up. Accordingly he gave it a tip, and up it went yards above their heads. Three fielders started off to catch it, but as they knew that would result in a regular scramble, two of them stopped and left it for the nearest fielder. As the ball began its descent the excitement grew intense. Thornton and his fellow-bat forgot to run in their anxiety to know their fate, and the spectators watched the ball with breathless interest. Perhaps the ball came down too heavy, or else the

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ADDRESSES FOR JUVENILE MISSIONARY MEETINGS.

fielder got nervous at the thought of his responsibility, for somehow, after getting it in his hands, he managed to let it slip to the ground. Cheers and hisses were freely awarded to the unfortunate fielder by the friends of the respective parties, and he was called "butter-fingers," was asked if he found the ball hot, with much more banter of the same sort.

Thornton played more cautiously after this adventure. Time after time he saw his partner bow led, stumped, or caught out, but still he played on, making up as well as he could for the poor play of his fellows. At length the last player-Tom Blunt-went to the wicket, and there were still six runs to be made to equal the Tinbury score. Thornton had reserved Blunt until the last, because of his careful playing, and he whispered him to mind what he was about.

Every hit now was of importance, and the spectators shouted advice and encouragement continually. "That's it, Charlie, hit 'em down!" "Well hit, Thornton; run three while you are at it!" "Don't stop running, Blunt!" and such like cries were heard every few minutes from one or another. But disregarding this rather too plentiful advice, and carefully avoiding the risk of running each other out, Thornton and Blunt worked together vigorously and unweariedly.

Four

At length enough runs were got to secure the victory for Woodbourne, and then, when there was no longer any risk of losing the game, Thornton set to work in slashing style. He hit the balls in every direction up and down, and gave them such knocks as sent them right out of bounds. Blunt also did good execution. runs and five were frequent, and from sixty the score rapidly rose to nearly a hundred; when at last Blunt took too long an aim at a ball, missed it, and lost his wicket. Of course Thornton carried out his bat, amidst the cheers and congratulations of all the spectators.

Thus ended a contest which will long live in the memory of those who witnessed it as a well-fought match. It is pleasing to be able to add that not a single dispute arose throughout the match, and there was, therefore, little for the umpires-Mr. Jones and Mr. Robinson, masters of the respective schools-to decide.

ADDRESSES FOR JUVENILE MISSIONARY MEETINGS.

III.

IN pleading to-night for the Mission'ry cause,

I want to solicit the aid

Of three well-to-do brothers- they're present, I hope,
And to show themselves won't be afraid.

ADDRESSES FOR JUVENILE MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 233

The first is a highly respectable gent,
Though not big he has wonderful power,
And he often can do in a minute or two
What his brothers can't do in an hour.

But though powerful, I question if he does as much
For our cause as his weaker relations,
Since either from modesty, shyness, or pride
He's seen rarely on public occasions.

And yet he need not be so bashful, I'm sure;
He's good looking enough to be bold;
His figure is neat, his complexion is rich,
His name you have guessed-Mr. Gold.
The next one is paler, but useful and strong;
He is comely and honest and bright;
He is active and busy, and bustling about
From morning till late in the night.

Not bashful or timid, he always attends
Public meetings like this, he's so bold;

And perhaps he does more to help every good work
Than his much stronger brother named Gold.
Wherever he goes, he rings out so clear,

His voice never yet became hoarse;

He cheers up the heart that's beginning to fear,

His name's Mr. Silver, of course.

The third brother is darker, in fact he's quite brown,

The less said of his colour the better;

But if dirty, he's useful, and oft every day

For small services we are his debtor.

His friends are quite vulgar. 'Tis seldom he meets
Mr. Gold-he hardly would know him;

He is better acquainted with Silver, 'tis trae,

But he owns that in rank he's below him.

Mr. Gold's house is strong, its walls are of iron;
Mr. Silver's is neat, safe, and pleasant;

But their poor brother-Copper-just tumbles about
Into any place just for the present.

But though vulgar and rough Mr. Copper may be,

He always turns up at our meeting;

And though weak, we accept of such help as he gives,
And give him a welcoming greeting.

*

And now, Mr. Gold, our missions need you,
Turn out in these times of bad trade;

Your brethren perhaps lack their usual force,
Make up for this lack by your aid.

Mr. Silver, I know we are sure of your help;
But to-night pray do strain every nerve;
Perhaps you are bigger and heavier since last
We the Mission cause met here to serve.

Mr. Copper, your brown open face we shall see
No doubt, and we welcome you too;

But be modest, and don't be too forward and hide
Your betters, as sometimes do.

*

you

*

My dear friends, we shall presently come with the plates
To collect what you're able to spare

For our Missions abroad; and we hope there will be
From each of these brothers a share.

They are in the pews with you, and if they are shy
(Mr. Gold very likely may be),

Pray take them out firmly, you can if you'll try,
And at once hand them over to me.

TOM BROWN.

FOOTPRINTS OF GOD IN NATURE.
By GEORGE PACKER.

XIX. THE DOG.

HE dog has received the high honour of being styled the "friend of man." Though not the first of animals in respect to his physical structure, there has certainly been developed in him the completest moral sense, and he has been admitted to human habitations on terms of familiarity and confidence not extended to any other four-footed creature.

The services we receive from dogs are as various and as numerous as their species. The mastiff and the bull-dog protect our property with an honest faithfulness absolutely incorruptible, and their teeth are as much dreaded by thieves as shots from a pistol. The shepherd-dog guards at the same time that he leads and disciplines the flock. The Newfoundland dog has saved many a one from a watery grave, and the St. Bernard has rescued innumerable travellers who have succumbed to the intense cold. Of the dogs employed for purposes of sport there are many varieties. The terrier has very short legs, by which he is enabled to creep under thick bushes and shrubs, and the greyhound has a sharp head and slender body to prevent as little opposition as possible to the air in his swift motion through it. His legs are long and spare, and enable him to

distance the swiftest horse and make a good race with the hare itself, whose safety depends almost as much on her stratagem as on her flight. The greyhound and the terrier afford a contrast in another respect. A powerful vision would be of but little use to the terrier as he crawls through the thick grass or underwood, and accordingly his sight does not reach far; but his sense of smell is perfectly wonderful, and by it he can trace the animal he follows if no impressions are left on the ground. The greyhound on the other hand has a scent that is but feeble, but a sight so keen that it can see and distinguish its prey at a great distance. The setter stops and crouches down when he perceives the game, and thus gives the sportsman timely notice; while the retriever will bound quickly along and bring and lay at his feet the birds he has shot, or fetch them out if they have fallen into a river.

There are many other varieties of dogs, but they all seem anxious to render service to their masters, to whom they become strongly attached. Of the usefulness of the many varieties, Burchell gives us a lively idea in his "Travels in Africa." "Our pack of dogs," says he, "consisted of about five and twenty of various sorts and sizes. This variety, though not altogether intentional, as I was obliged to take any that could be procured, was of the greatest service in such an expedition, as I observed that some gave notice of danger in one way, and some in another. Some were more disposed to watch against men, and others against wild beasts; some discovered an enemy by their quickness of hearing, others by that of scent; some were useful for their vigilance and barking alone; others for their speed in pursuing game; and others for their courage in holding ferocious animals at bay. So large a pack were not, indeed, maintained without adding greatly to our care and trouble in supplying them with meat and water, for it was sometimes difficult to procure for them enough of the latter; but their services were invaluable, often contributing to our safety, and always to our ease, by their constant vigilance, as we felt a confidence that no danger could approach us at night without being announced by their barking. No circumstance could render the value and fidelity of these animals so conspicuous and sensible as a journey through regions which, abounding in wild beasts of every class, gave continual opportunities of witnessing the strong contrasts in their habits between the ferocious beasts of prey which fly at the approach of man, and these kind but too often injured companions of the human race. Many times when we have been travelling over plains where those have fled the moment we appeared in sight, have I turned my eyes towards my dogs to admire their attachment, and have felt a grateful affection towards them for preferring our society to the liberty of other quadrupeds. Often in the middle of the night, when all my people have been fast asleep around the fire, have I stood to contemplate these faithful animals lying by their side, and have learnt to esteem them for their social esteem of mankind. When wandering over pathless deserts, oppressed

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