The bank was gravelly, and his feet could gain no hold.

Several times he struggled up a yard or so, only to slip back again to the bottom.
"I tell you what you do," called West, leaning over.

"You get a bit of a run and get up as high as you can, and try and catch hold of this stick; then I'll pull you up." The other obeyed, and succeeded in getting a firm hold of the brassie, but the rest was none so easy.

West pulled and the other boy struggled, and then, at last, when both were out of breath, the straw hat rose above the ledge and its wearer scrambled up.

Sitting down beside West he drew the ball from his pocket and handed it over.
"What do they make those of ?" he asked.
"Gutta percha," answered West.