, All-Muggleton had notched some
fifty-four, while the score of the Dingley Dellers was as blank as their faces.
The advantage was too great to be recovered. In vain did the eager Luffey, and
the enthusiastic Struggles, do all that skill and experience could suggest, to
regain the ground Dingley Dell had lost in the contest; - it was of no avail;
and in an early period of the winning game Dingley Dell gave in, and allowed the
superior prowess of All-Muggleton.
    The stranger, meanwhile, had been eating, drinking, and talking, without
cessation. At every good stroke he expressed his satisfaction and approval of
the player in a most condescending and patronising manner, which could not fail
to have been highly gratifying to the party concerned; while at every bad
attempt at a catch, and every failure to stop the ball, he launched his personal
displeasure at the head of the devoted individual in such denunciations - as
»Ah, ah! - stupid« - »Now, butter- - »Muff« - »Humbug« - and so forth -
ejaculations which seemed to establish him in the opinion of all around, as a
most excellent and undeniable judge of the whole art and mystery of the noble
game of cricket.
    »Capital game - well played - some strokes admirable,« said the stranger, as
both sides crowded into the tent, at the conclusion of the game.
    »You have played it, sir?« inquired Mr. Wardle, who had been much amused by
his loquacity.
    »Played it! Think I have - thousands of times - not here - West Indies -
exciting thing - hot work - very.«
    »It must be rather a warm pursuit in such a climate,« observed Mr. Pickwick.
    »Warm! - red hot - scorching - glowing. Played a match once - single wicket
- friend the Colonel - Sir Thomas Blazo - who should get the greatest number of
runs. - Won the toss - first innings - seven o'clock A.M. - six natives to look
out - went in; kept in - heat intense - natives all fainted - taken away - fresh
half-dozen ordered - fainted also - Blazo bowling - supported by two natives -
couldn't bowl me out - fainted too - cleared away the Colonel - wouldn't give in
- faithful attendant - Quanko Samba - last man left - sun so hot, bat in
blisters, ball scorched brown - five hundred and seventy runs - rather exhausted
- Quanko mustered up last remaining strength - bowled me out - had