Page:Seventy One Not Out.pdf/44

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26
I COMMENCE MY PUBLIC CAREER.

ball are far too numerous to mention here. He had a remarkably easy delivery, as easy as that of Alfred Shaw of later times, and could bowl all day. A benefit match, England v. Eighteen Veterans, was played for him at the Oval in 1858 (a few years after his retirement), which brought him in nearly £400. This match had never been played before, and created a great amount of interest. England scored 196, G. Panmaking 56 top score of the match, and the Veterans 82 and 164. Martingell made top score for the Veterans, 21, and Mr Mynn and Guy came next with 19 each. Mr Mynn hit a 5, a very fine drive, I recollect. Hillyer was a middle-sized, well-made man. He went by the nickname of "Topper." Towards the latter part of his time he was a martyr to rheumatics and gout in the feet, and sometimes could hardly bear any one to come near him for fear they should tread on his ts. Sam Parr, an elder brother of George, who played with us sometimes, and who was an inveterate practical joker, used to plague the life out of the old chap. Sometimes between the innings Sam would get hold of the ball, and coming near Hillyer, would, while engaging him in conversation, suddenly dash the ball on the ground within a few inches of his feet, causing poor "Billy" to jump nearly out of his skin. Another trick Sam was fond of playing off on him was to stick a lot of railway