We shall be as stiff as old women and as fat as a lot of aldermen by the time we reach Australia unless we take exercise of some kind during the voyage.

Can't we manage to get some cricket practice in some way ?" George thought we could do so, and a little later we held an interview with Capt.

Morse, who was one of the best fellows that I ever sailed with.

The result was on the following morning half a dozen sailors were set to work to roof over and wall in with canvas the rear end of the quarter deck promenade, upon the larboard side of the ship, which being done prevented the balls from going into the sea.

This, when completed, gave us an enclosed cricket alley of about forty feet long, eight feet wide and ten feet high.