THE GAME O F
CROQUET .
79
A cage is run when the ball has passed through it in off." It is still disputed whether moving the second ball cage at A, runs should be compulsory or not. In the opinion of the Com- any direction. Thus, a ball entering the it if it emerges at B, C, or D. It does not matter whether the ball is going up or down the ground, whether it is for hoop five or twelve, (see diagram in last number,) it may always run the cage in any direction. If it is doubtful whether the ball on emerging is quite through the cage, the question is decided by a straight-edge, as in the case of running a hoop. A turn is simply the innings of any one player. We are nowin a position to understand the bearings of the definition ofthe terms " in hand" and "in play." A ball is in hand as soon as it has made a roquet. It takes Croquet, after which it is in hand only to the ball (Relative position of balls and head of mallet in taking roqueted for the remainder of that turn, or until it has splitting Croquet, causing ballsto split in direction ofB and C.) made another point. If it roquets anotber ball, it similarly mittee the non-striker's ball should "be made to move, remains in hand to it after the Croquet, and so on. It folhowever slightly, to the satisfaction of the captains or { lows from this that Croquet can only be taken once in each their umpire." This seems to us to be a practical giving turn from each ball, unless another point is made. A up of the moving. The striker will always contend that second roquet may be made on a ball previously roqueted the ball did move " very slightly ;" and surely a captain or without a point being made in the interval, as, for instance, an umpire, who is at least several yards off, cannot be so for the purpose of driving away, cannoning, etc.; but such well qualified to give an opinion as the player who is close. roquet does not entitle to a Croquet, as the striker is in The umpire, therefore, (for, of course, the captains never hand to the ball roqueted. The striker's turn ends there, agree on a disputed question of fact, ) will, with the power unless by the same stroke he makes a point, or roquets of observing only at a distance, have constantly to pit his another ball to which he is " in play." In this case he can eyesight and judgment against that of the striker. If he go on with his turn, the roquet of the bali to which he is is severe, disputes and ill-feeling will often arise ; if he is in hand being of no more advantage or disadvantage than lenient, the rule as it at present stands comes, as we before hitting a stick or a stone that might happen to lie on the said, to taking “ two off" in the strict acceptation of the grass. words, that is, without making any perceptible split. Now for an illustration or two. A ball that has not run There is another objection to insisting on a motion that { the first hoop makes a roquet on a ball lying in its way, is only just visible, and that is, that it leaves to the judg- and then by the same stroke runs the hoop. What is the ment of the umpire, or players, if there is no umpire, that law? Decision. The striker's ball is not " in play" until which might be settled with equal fairness without such it has run the first hoop ; consequently , before running the appeal. Slight movement being the test of the fairness of hoop, a roquet on another ball is null and void. It no the stroke, the most delicate appreciation of a motion only more affects the striker's ball than ifit had hit a stone or a lasting a second will be required in every Croquet captain piece of dirt. or umpire. The adverse captain will have to judge, in a Take another case. The striker roquets first one ball, moment of excitement, whether or not a ball moved, "how- and then another by the same stroke, as in cannoning at ever slightly," and the umpire will have to give the cast- billiards. To what is he entitled ? Merely to one Croquat. ing vote. This is a strain to which we should not like to which must be taken off the ball first hit. When he hits subject ourselves; but were we ever so fortunate as to ac- the second ball he is "in hand," and the second roquet is, cept the post of umpire in a Croquet match, we should therefore, null and void. always decide that the ball did move to our " satisfaction." A little difficulty sometimes arises when a cannon is made on two balls that are close together, in deciding which ball was hit first. If there is any reasonable doubt, B C the striker has his choice for the Croquet. As a third case, suppose the striker finds his ball touching another when it comes to his turn to play. It is clear that he may hit his own, hard or soft, and under all circumstances he has roqueted the ball he was touching. He must next take Croquet off it. A 米 B -E C no only In domestic Croquet, where there is umpire, and an apology for a captain, should a dispute ariso as to the fact of moving, it should be remembered that it is only A's assertion versus B's, and that the player should have the A -D benefit of the doubt, in accordance with general principle No. 3. To return to the definitions . A point is made on (a) running a hoop, or (b) hitting a stick, or (c) running a cage, each, of course, " in order." We have already stated what constitutes "running" a B hoop. A stick is hit when the striker's ball is seen to move it, or when the sound of the ball against it is heard. A, striker's ball, placed for its hoop, B B, " in order.") It has been suggested that a ball should be placed on the A fourth case. A rover (i. e. a ball that has run all its top of the stick, and that the stick shall not be deemed to be hit unless the ball falls. But in practice it seldom hap- hoops) roquets a ball to which it is " in play," and then cannons on to the winning stick. Is the rover dead? Depens that there is any question as to the hit, and a ball No. After the roquet, the striker's ball is "in would be a complication . It is a question, however, cision. hand," and can make no point until it has taken Croquet. whether, in a grand match, balls should be used.
