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Chapter V

THE RUNSWICK SPORTS


'I've got a big favour to ask of you, sir,' said Duncan the next day.
'You'll not think I'm taking a liberty, will you?'

'Certainly not, Duncan,' I said. 'What do you want?'

'Well, it's just here, sir--me and my mates, we get up some sports every
year on the green. We have 'em in August, sir, just when the visitors
are here. They all turn out to see them, and there's lots of them is
very good in subscribing to the prizes. You see, sir, there is a many
young fellows here, young chaps who must have something to keep them out
of mischief; when they're not fishing, they're bound to be after the
beer, if they haven't something to turn their minds and keep them going
a bit. And these sports, why, they like 'em, sir; and a man must keep
sober if he's to win a prize--you understand, sir?'

'Yes, Duncan, I understand,' I said; 'it's first-rate for these young
lads, and for the old lads too, for the matter of that. I suppose you