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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ernest Bracebridge, by William H. G. Kingston
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ernest Bracebridge
+       School Days
+
+Author: William H. G. Kingston
+
+Illustrator: W Thomas
+
+Release Date: May 15, 2007 [EBook #21452]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ERNEST BRACEBRIDGE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Ernest Bracebridge, School Days, by William H G Kingston.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+A very well-written book--one of Kingston's best.  It is about various
+events and personalities in a Victorian school.  The boy after whom the
+book is named is such a heroic character that one can't help wondering
+if he is really either Kingston's own son, or maybe the son whom
+Kingston would have liked to have.
+
+In one of the last chapters it so happens that some of the boys pay a
+visit to another school, which happens to be the one your reviewer was
+at.  It was astonishing to me to read of institutions and customs at
+that school just exactly as they were in my day, seventy years and more
+later.
+
+It makes a very good audiobook.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+ERNEST BRACEBRIDGE, SCHOOL DAYS, BY WILLIAM H G KINGSTON.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+THE SCHOOL, THE MASTER, AND HIS BOYS.
+
+It was a half-holiday.  One of our fellows who had lately taken his
+degree and passed as Senior Wrangler had asked it for us.  He had just
+come down for a few hours to see the Doctor and the old place.  How we
+cheered him!  How proudly the Doctor looked at him!  What a great man we
+thought him!  He was a great man! for he had won a great victory,--not
+only over his fellow-men, not only over his books, by compelling them to
+give up the knowledge they contained,--but over his love of pleasure;
+over a tendency to indolence; over his temper and passions; and now
+Henry Martin was able to commence the earnest struggle of life with the
+consciousness, which of itself gives strength, that he had obtained the
+most important of all victories--that over self.
+
+There he stood, surrounded by some of the bigger boys who had been at
+school with him; a pleasant smile on his countenance as he looked about
+him on the old familiar scenes.  Then he shook hands with the fellows
+standing near him, and we all cheered again louder than ever.  He
+thanked us, and said that he hoped he should often meet many of us in
+the world, and that he should always look back with pleasure to the days
+he had spent in that place.  At last he once more waved his hand and
+went back into the house.
+
+The instant dinner was over, out we all rushed into the playground.
+Those were happy times when, directly after it, we could stand on our
+heads, play high-cock-o'lorum, or hang by our heels from the cross-bars
+of our gymnastic poles without the slightest inconvenience.
+
+Our school was a good one; I ought to speak well of it.  I have, indeed,
+a very small opinion of a boy who does not think highly and speak highly
+of his own school, and feel thoroughly identified with it, provided it
+is a good one.  Our school, at all events, was first-rate, and so was
+our master.  We were proud of him, and believed firmly that there were
+very few men in England, or in the world, for that matter, who were
+equal to him.  He won the affections of all of us, and as it seemed,
+with wonderful ease.  How he did it we did not trouble ourselves to
+consider.  I have since, however, often thought over the subject, and
+have had no difficulty in guessing the cause of his influence.  He was a
+ripe scholar, and thoroughly understood what he professed to teach: then
+he was always just, and although he was strict, and could be very severe
+on occasions, he was one of the kindest-hearted men I ever met.  We all
+thought so; and boys are not bad judges of their elders.  He was a tall,
+fine man, with a florid complexion.  His eyes were large and clear, and
+full of intelligence and expression.  And then his voice!--how rich and
+mellow it sounded when he exerted it.  His smile, too, was particularly
+pleasing; and, old as he was, at least as we thought him, he entered
+heartily into many of our games and amusements; and it was a fine thing
+to see him stand up with a bat in his hand, and send the ball flying
+over the hedge into the other field.  He had been a great cricketer at
+College, and had generally been one of the eleven when any University
+match was played, so we heard; and that made him encourage all sorts of
+sports and pastimes.  He pulled a capital oar; and we heard that he had
+been very great at football, though he had long since given up playing:
+indeed, I doubt if there was any game which he had not played well, and
+could not still play better than most people, had he chosen.  Such was
+Doctor Carr--the Doctor, as we called him--of Grafton Hall.
+
+Grafton Hall was a fine old place, situated on a healthy spot, and
+surrounded by good-sized grounds: indeed, no place could be more
+admirably fitted for a first-rate gentleman's school.
+
+The house was a large Elizabethan building, with a number of good-sized
+airy rooms, and passages, and staircases.  The hall served, for what it
+was originally intended, as a dining-hall.
+
+The Doctor had built a wing, in which was situated our school-room, and
+a lofty, well-ventilated room it was.  We had several lecture-rooms
+besides; and then the large old courtyard served as a capital playground
+in wet weather, as well as a racket-court; and in one corner of it we
+had our gymnasium, which was one of the many capital things belonging to
+the school.
+
+A fine wide glade in the park, which had been thoroughly drained, served
+us as a magnificent cricket-ground; and there was, not far from it, a
+good-sized pond, through which ran a stream of clear water, where we
+bathed in the summer.  It was kept clean and free from weeds, and even
+in the deepest parts we could, on a sunny day, see the bright pebbles
+shining at the bottom.
+
+I need not now give a further description of the dear old place.  We
+were most of us as fond of it as if it had been our father's property.
+I do not mean to say that it was a perfect paradise.  I do not fancy
+such a place exists in the world; and if it did, I must own that
+schoolboys are not, as a rule, much like angels.  Still the Doctor did
+_his_ best to make it a happy place, and an abode fit for boys of
+refined minds and gentlemanly habits and ideas.  It was generally our
+own faults if anything went wrong.
+
+When a new boy arrived, the Doctor took him into the school-room, and
+lecture-rooms, and dining-hall, and through the sleeping-rooms, and
+playground, and gardens; indeed, all round the place.
+
+"Now, my lad," he used to say, "you will remark that everything is well
+arranged, and clean, and neat.  I trust to your honour to refrain from
+injuring anything in any way, and to do your best to keep the place in
+the good order in which you see it."
+
+On no occasion had he ever to speak again on the subject; for we all
+took a pride in the handsome, gentlemanly appearance of the house and
+grounds, and effectually prevented any mischievously inclined boy from
+injuring them.  All the other arrangements of the establishment were
+equally good with those I have described.
+
+The Doctor's wife was a first-rate person; so kind, and gentle, and
+considerate.  We were all very fond of her; and so we were of the good
+matron, Mrs Smith, who kept all the people under her in such excellent
+order.
+
+The ushers, too, were all very good in their way, for the Doctor seldom
+made a mistake in selecting them.  They were good scholars and
+gentlemen, and generally entered with zest into most of our sports and
+games.  But it is time that I should return to that memorable
+half-holiday.
+
+The Doctor had not long before erected a gymnasium, which was at this
+time all the rage among us.  We never grew tired of practising on it.
+The moment we came out of the dining-hall the greater number of us
+assembled round it.
+
+Some swarmed up the poles; others the ropes which hung from the bars
+above; several performed various exercises on the parallel bars; while
+four seized the ropes which hung from a long perpendicular pole, and
+were soon seen, with giant strides, rotating round it, till they
+scarcely touched the ground with their feet.
+
+Numbers were likewise hanging on to the horizontal bar; sitting on it,
+swinging by it, circling it, kicking it, hanging to it by the legs or
+the feet, performing, indeed, more movements than I can well describe.
+
+There were also several wooden horses, or rather logs of wood on legs,
+on which the boys were mounting and dismounting, vaulting on to them,
+leaping along them or over them, kneeling on them, jumping off them,
+and, indeed, going through a variety of movements which might give them
+confidence on horseback.
+
+Several swings were in full action.  Very few boys were sitting on them;
+most of them were standing upright; some were holding on with two hands,
+others only with one; some standing on one foot, and holding on by one
+rope; others leaning with perfect composure against one rope; but all
+were moving rapidly in one way or another; indeed, the effect to a
+person unaccustomed to the scene must have been very curious.
+
+One of the most active fellows we had at that time was Richard Blackall.
+He was not quite the cock of the school, though, for his size, he was
+very strong; but at all gymnastic feats he beat nearly everybody.  His
+chief rival was Miles Lemon, who could perform most of the exercises he
+could, and did some of them better.  Lemon was not so strong as
+Blackall, but he had a more correct eye, and a calmer temper; both very
+important qualifications, especially in most athletic exercises.  He
+was, in consequence, a better cricketer, and a still better fencer.
+Even at the broadsword exercise, although at first it might appear that
+Blackall was far superior to Miles, the latter had more than once given
+proof that it was hard work for any one to gain a victory over him.
+
+Blackall's great fault was a strong inclination to bully.  He was a
+tyrant, and utterly indifferent to the feelings of others.  If he wanted
+a thing done, he did not consider what trouble and annoyance it might
+give others, but, confiding in his strength, he made all the smaller
+boys do what he wanted.  If they refused, he thrashed them till they
+promised to obey him.  He was a great talker, and a never-ceasing
+boaster of what he had done, and of what he could do and would do.  As
+he certainly could do many of the things he talked about, it was
+believed that he could do everything.  Some believed in him, but others
+did not.  Such a person was, however, sure to have a number of followers
+and ardent admirers, who quoted him on all occasions,--stuck by him
+through thick or thin, right or wrong, and looked upon him as one of the
+finest fellows in existence.
+
+Among the most constant of his followers was Robert Dawson--Bobby Dawson
+he was always called.  He was not a badly inclined little fellow, but he
+had no confidence in himself, and, consequently, wanted to lean on
+somebody else.  Unfortunately he chose Blackall as his supporter.
+
+Among the smaller boys who aspired to be considered something above the
+common was Tommy Bouldon.  He was a determined, independent little
+fellow.  He was very active, and could perform more feats of activity
+than any other boy of his size.  He was a fair cricketer, and was
+sometimes chosen by some of the bigger fellows to play in their matches.
+This made Tommy rather cocky at times; but he was a good-natured chap,
+and managed to live on good terms with everybody.
+
+Tommy, like Blackall, was rather apt to boast of what he had done, or he
+purposed doing; but in one respect he was different;--he never
+exaggerated in his descriptions of his past exploits, and seldom failed
+to perform whatever he undertook to do.
+
+The boys I have described were among the many who were exercising away
+with all their might and main on the gymnastic poles.
+
+Blackall was going up a ladder hand over hand, without using his feet,
+while Lemon was swarming up a pole.  When they reached the top, giddy as
+was the height, they crossed each other and descended, one by the pole
+and the other by the rope, head foremost; then, without stopping, each
+climbed on some horizontal bars.
+
+Lemon first hung by his hands to the bar he had seized, and then he drew
+himself up until his chest touched the bar; then, lowering himself, he
+passed one of his feet through his hands, and hitched his knee over the
+bar; then he swung backwards, and came up sitting on the bar with one
+leg; it was easy enough to draw the other leg after him.  Throwing
+himself off, he caught the bar again by his hands, and curled his body
+over it.
+
+"That's all very fine," exclaimed Blackall, who had been sitting on a
+bar observing him; "but, old fellow, can you do this?"
+
+Blackall, as he spoke, threw himself off the bar, grasping it with both
+hands; then he passed the left knee through the right arm, so as to let
+the knee rest in the elbow; then he passed the right knee over the
+instep of the left foot, and letting go his left hand, he grasped his
+right foot with it.  Thus he hung, suspended by his right hand, and
+coiled up like a ball.  After hanging thus for a couple of minutes, he
+caught the bar by his other hand, and, uncoiling himself, brought his
+feet between his arms and allowed them to drop till they nearly touched
+the ground.  Then he turned back the same way.  Once more lifting
+himself up, he threw his legs over the bar, and dropping straight down,
+hung by his bent knees, with his head towards the ground.  A little
+fellow passing at the moment, he called him, and lifted him off the
+ground; a feat which called forth the loud applause of all his admirers.
+This excited him to further efforts, and he was induced to continue
+still longer when he found that Lemon did not seem inclined to vie with
+him.
+
+While the exercises I have described were going forward, the Doctor made
+his appearance at the door of the yard, accompanied by a boy who looked
+curiously round at what was taking place.  After waiting a minute or so,
+the Doctor led him on through the grounds.
+
+"I wonder who that chap is!" observed Tommy Bouldon.  "He looks a
+regular-built sawney."
+
+"Oh, don't you know?  He's the new fellow," answered Bobby Dawson.  "I
+heard something about him from Sandon, who lives in the same county, ten
+or a dozen miles from his father's house.  The families visit,--that is
+to say, the elders go and stay at each other's houses,--but Sandon has
+never met this fellow himself, so he could only tell me what he had
+heard.  One thing he knows for certain, that he has never been at school
+before, so he must be a regular muff, don't you see.  His father is a
+sort of philosopher--brings up his children unlike anybody else; makes
+them learn all about insects and flowers, and birds and beasts, and
+astronomy, and teaches them to do all sorts of things besides, but
+nothing that is of any use in the world that I know of.  Now I'll wager
+young Hopeful has never played football or cricket in his life, and
+couldn't if he was to try.  Those sort of fellows, in my opinion, are
+only fit to keep tame rabbits and silkworms."
+
+Master Bobby did not exactly define to what sort of character he
+alluded; and it is possible he might have been mistaken as to his
+opinion of the new boy.
+
+"Well, I agree with you," observed Tommy Bouldon, drawing himself up to
+his full height of three feet seven inches, and looking very
+consequential.  "I hate those home-bred, missy, milk-and-water chaps.
+It is a pity they should ever come to school at all.  They are more fit
+to be turned into nursery-maids, and to look after their little brothers
+and sisters."
+
+This sally of wit drew forth a shout of laughter from Bobby Dawson, who
+forthwith settled in his mind that he would precious soon take the shine
+out of the new boy.
+
+"But, I say, what is the fellow's name?" asked Tommy.
+
+"Oh, didn't I tell you?" answered Bobby.  "It's Bracebridge; his
+Christian name is--let me see, I heard it, I know it's one of your fancy
+romantic mamma's pet-boy names--just what young ladies put in little
+children's story-books.  Oh, I have it now--Ernest--Ernest Bracebridge."
+
+"I don't see that that is so very much out of the way either," observed
+Bouldon; "I've known two or three Ernests who were not bad sorts of
+fellows.  There was Ernest Hyde, who was a capital cricketer, and Ernest
+Eastgate, who was one of the best runners I ever met; still from what
+you tell me, I fully expect that this Ernest Bracebridge will turn out
+no great shakes."
+
+While the lads were speaking, the subject of their remarks returned to
+the playground.  An unprejudiced person would certainly not have
+designated him as a muff.  He was an active, well-built boy, of between
+twelve and thirteen years old.  He had light-brown hair, curling
+slightly, with a fair complexion and a good colour.  His mouth showed a
+good deal of firmness, and he had clear honest eyes, with no little
+amount of humour in them.  He was dressed in a dark-blue jacket, white
+trousers, and a cloth cap.  Dawson and Bouldon eyed him narrowly.  What
+they thought of him, after a nearer scrutiny, they did not say.  He
+stood at a little distance from the gymnasium, watching with very
+evident interest the exercises of the boys.  He had, it seemed, when he
+first came in with the Doctor, been attracted with what he had seen, and
+had come back again as soon as he was at liberty.  He drew nearer and
+nearer as he gained more and more confidence, till he got close up to
+where Dawson and Bouldon were swinging lazily on some cross-bars.
+Blackall was at that moment playing off some of his most difficult
+feats, such as I have already described.
+
+"I say, young fellow, can you do anything like that?" said Tommy,
+addressing Ernest, and pointing at Blackall.  "Dawson here swears there
+isn't another fellow in England who can come up to him."
+
+"I beg your pardon, did you speak to me?" asked Ernest, looking at Tommy
+as if he considered the question had not been put in the most civil way.
+
+"Yes, of course, young one, I did.  There's no one behind you, is
+there?" answered Tommy.  "What's more, too, I expect an answer."
+
+"Perhaps I might, with a little practice," answered the new boy
+carelessly.  "I'm rather fond of athletic exercises."
+
+"I'll be content to see you get up that pole, young 'un," observed
+Tommy, putting his tongue in his cheek.  "Take care you don't burn your
+fingers as you come down."
+
+"I'll try, if I may," replied the new boy quietly.
+
+He advanced towards the pole, but another boy got hold of it--rather a
+bungler he seemed; so Ernest left him to puff and blow by himself in his
+vain efforts at getting up, and went on to one of the swinging ropes.
+He seized it well above his head, and pressing his knees and feet
+against it, steadily drew himself up, to the surprise of Bouldon and
+Dawson and several other lookers-on, till he reached the lofty
+cross-bar.  Was he coming down again?  No.  He sprang up and ran along
+the beam with fearless steps till he came to the part into which the top
+of the pole was fixed.  Most of the boys thought that he would come down
+by the ladder; but, stooping down, he swung himself on to the pole and
+slid down head first to the ground.  There he stood, looking as cool and
+unconcerned as if he had not moved from the spot.  The feat he had
+performed, though not difficult, was one which neither Dawson nor
+Bouldon had yet attempted.  It raised him wonderfully in the opinion of
+those young gentlemen.
+
+"Very well, young one," exclaimed Tommy in a patronising tone.  "I did
+not think you'd have done it half as well.  However, I suppose it's
+_the_ trick you have practised.  You couldn't do, now, what that big
+fellow there, Blackall, is about?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Ernest quietly.  "I can kick the bar, or swing on it, or
+circle it, or do the grasshopper, or hang by my legs, or make a true
+lover's knot, or pass through my arms, or hang by my feet.  You fancy
+that I am boasting, but the fact is this, my father won't let us do
+anything imperfectly.  If we do it at all, he says, we must do it well."
+
+"Oh, I dare say that's all right, young one," observed Tommy, turning
+away with Dawson.  "I see how it is.  He has been coached well up in
+gymnastics, but when he comes to play cricket or football it will be a
+very different affair.  A fellow may learn one thing or so at home very
+well, but he soon breaks down when he comes to practice work."
+
+A few only of the boys had remarked Ernest's performances.  Most of them
+were too much engaged in their own exercises to think of him.  He felt
+rather solitary when left to himself, and wished that Dawson and Bouldon
+would have stopped to talk to him, not that he particularly admired
+their manners.  He was well prepared, however, to meet all sorts of
+characters.  School and its inner life had been described to him by his
+father with faithful accuracy.
+
+Although at the time few, if any, private schools were to be found
+superior to Grafton Hall, Ernest did not expect to find it as happy a
+place as his own home, much less a paradise.  A number of little boys
+were playing a game of ring-taw in a corner of the yard.  Ernest walked
+up to them.  No one took any notice of him, but went on with their game.
+"Knuckle down," was the cry.  A sturdy little fellow, with a
+well-bronzed hand, was peppering away, knocking marble after marble out
+of the ring with his taw, and bid fair to win all that remained.  Ernest
+had long ago given up marbles himself, but he did not pretend to forget
+how to play with them.  He thought that if he offered to join them it
+might serve as an introduction.
+
+"If you will let me, I shall like to play with you," he said quietly,
+catching the eye of the sturdy player.
+
+"With all my heart," was the answer.
+
+"Thank you.  But I must buy a taw and some marbles," said Ernest.  "I
+did not think of bringing any."
+
+"Oh, I will lend you some," answered the boy.  "Here, this taw is a
+prime one; it will win you half the marbles in the ring if you play
+well."
+
+Ernest thanked his new friend, and took the taw and a dozen marbles with
+a smile.  He was amused at finding himself about to play marbles with
+some boys most of whom were so much younger than himself.  His new
+friend had cleared the ring, and a fresh game was about to begin.  He
+put down eight of his marbles, and, as there were several players, a
+large number were collected.  The first player had shot out four or five
+marbles, when his taw remaining in the ring, he had to put them all back
+and go out.  Ernest was kneeling down to take his turn, when Blackall,
+tired of his gymnastic exercises, came sauntering by.
+
+"What are you about there, you fellows?  I'll join you," he exclaimed.
+"How many down?  Eight.  Oh, very well."
+
+Without more ado he was stooping down to shooting from the offing, when
+Ernest observed that he had taken his turn.
+
+"Who are you, I should like to know, you little upstart?" cried
+Blackall, eyeing the new-comer with great disdain.  "Get out of my way,
+or I will kick you over."
+
+"Indeed I shall not," exclaimed Ernest, who had never been spoken to in
+that style before, but whose whole spirit rose instantly in rebellion
+against anything like tyranny or injustice.  Without speaking further,
+he stooped down and shot his taw with considerable effect along the
+edges of the ring of marbles.  It knocked out several, and stopped a
+little way outside.
+
+"Didn't you hear me?" exclaimed Blackall furiously.  "Get out of my way,
+I say."
+
+Ernest did not move, but took his taw and again fired, with the same
+effect as before.  Blackall's fury was now at its highest pitch.  He
+rushed at Ernest, and lifting him with his foot sent him spinning along
+the ground.  Ernest was not hurt, so he got up and said, "I wonder you
+can treat a stranger so.  However, the time will come when you will not
+dare to do it."
+
+"Shame! shame!" shouted several of the little fellows, snatching up
+their marbles and running away, for they were accustomed to be treated
+in that way by Blackall.
+
+Ernest was left with his first acquaintance standing by his side, while
+the bully walked on, observing--
+
+"Very well; you'll catch it another time, let me promise you."
+
+"That's right!" exclaimed Ernest's companion.  "I'm glad you treated him
+so.  It's the only way.  If I was bigger I would, but he thrashes me so
+unmercifully whenever I stick up against him that I've got rather sick
+of opposing him."
+
+"Help me," said Ernest, "and we'll see what can be done."
+
+The other boy put out his hand, and pressing that of the new-comer,
+said, "I will."  The compact was then and there sealed, not to be
+broken; and the boys felt that they understood each other.
+
+"What is your name?" said Ernest.  "It is curious that I should not know
+it, and yet I feel as if I was a friend of yours."
+
+"My name is John Buttar," answered the boy.  "I have heard yours.  You
+are to be in our room, for the matron told me a new boy was coming
+to-day, though I little thought what sort of a fellow he was to be.  But
+come along, I'll show you round the bounds.  We may not go outside for
+the next three weeks, for some of the big fellows got into a row, and we
+have been kept in ever since."
+
+So Johnny Butter, as he was called, ran on.  He let Ernest into the
+politics of the school, and gave him a great deal of valuable
+information.
+
+Ernest listened attentively, and asked several questions on important
+points, all of which Buttar answered in a satisfactory way.
+
+"This is a very jolly place altogether, you see," he remarked; "what is
+wrong is generally owing to our own faults, or rather to that of the big
+fellows.  For instance, the Doctor knows nothing of the bullying which
+goes forward; if he knew what sort of a fellow Blackall is he would very
+soon send him to the right-about, I suspect.  We might tell of him, of
+course, but that would never do, so he goes on and gets worse and worse.
+The only way is to set up against him as you did to-day.  If everybody
+did that we should soon put him down."
+
+Ernest was very much interested in all he saw.  Notwithstanding the
+example he had just had, he thought that it might be a very good sort of
+place.  Buttar introduced him to several boys, who, he said, were very
+nice fellows; so that before many hours had passed Ernest found himself
+with a considerable number of acquaintances, and even Dawson and Bouldon
+condescended to speak rationally to him.
+
+A number of boys having collected, a game of Prisoners' Base was
+proposed.  Ernest did not know the rules of the game, but he quickly
+learnt them, and soon got as much excited as any one.  His new friend
+John Buttar was captain on one side, while Tommy Bouldon was leader of
+the opposite party.  Each chose ten followers.  A hedge formed their
+base, two plots being marked out close to it, one of which was occupied
+by each party.  Two circles were formed, about a hundred yards off, for
+prisons.
+
+"Chevy, chevy, chevy!" shouted Buttar, rushing out.
+
+Bouldon gave chase after him.  They were looked upon as cocks of their
+set, and the chase was exciting.  Bouldon was very nearly catching
+Buttar, when Ernest darted out to his rescue.  Now, Tommy, you must put
+your best leg foremost or you will be caught to a certainty.  What
+twisting and turning, what dodging there was.  Now Bouldon had almost
+caught up Buttar, but the latter, stooping down, was off again under his
+very hands, and turning suddenly, was off once more behind his back.
+
+"'Ware the new boy; 'ware young Bracebridge," was the shout from
+Bouldon's side.
+
+Tommy was in hot chase after Buttar, and there seemed every probability
+of his catching him.  On hearing the cry, he looked over his shoulder
+and saw Ernest close to him.  He had now to think of his own safety.
+From what he had observed of the new boy, he saw, that though he was a
+new boy, and had never been at school before, he was not to be despised.
+He had therefore to imitate Buttar's tactics, and to dodge away from
+his pursuer.
+
+Ernest had evidently been accustomed chiefly to run straight forward; he
+was very fleet of foot, but had not practised the art of twisting and
+turning.  Another boy of Bouldon's side now ran out in pursuit of
+Ernest, who, having executed his purpose of rescuing Buttar, returned in
+triumph to his base, while one of his side ran out, and, touching the
+boy who had gone out against him, carried him off to the prison.
+
+Several others were taken; Bouldon at length was caught, so was Buttar,
+but he was quickly rescued by Ernest, whose side was at length
+victorious, having committed every one of the others to prison.
+
+Ernest, who had contributed very largely to this success, pronounced it
+a capital game.  He gained also a good deal of credit by the way he had
+played it, especially when it was known that it was for the first time,
+and that he had never been at school before.  The way in which his
+companions treated him put him in very good spirits, and he became
+sufficiently satisfied with himself and with everything around him.  He
+felt that he could do a number of things, but he was diffident from not
+knowing of what value they might be considered by other boys.  He had
+heard that some savages despised the purest pearls, while they set a
+high value on bits of glittering glass, and so he thought that some of
+his accomplishments might be very little thought of by other boys.
+However, by the time the tea-bell rang, he had fully established himself
+in the good opinions of most of the younger boys; even two or three of
+the elder ones pronounced him to be a plucky little chap.
+
+The evening was spent in a fine large hall which had been fitted up for
+playing.  Before each breaking-up a platform was raised at one end, and
+speeches were delivered from it, and more than once it had been fitted
+up as a theatre, and the boys had got up, with some effect, some
+well-selected plays.  There were some tables and desks at one end, and
+rows of shelves on which were placed boxes and baskets, and cages with
+birds and tame mice, and indeed all sorts of small pets.  A few of the
+quieter boys went in that direction, but the greater number began to
+play a variety of noisy games.
+
+"I say, who's for a game of high-cock-o'lorum?" exclaimed Bouldon.
+
+"I, I, I," answered several voices.
+
+"Come along, Bracebridge, try your hand at it."
+
+Ernest declined at first, for he did not much admire having a number of
+fellows jumping over his head and sitting on his shoulders, but Tommy
+pressed him so hard that at last he consented to try.  His side was to
+leap.
+
+"Go on, go on!" shouted Buttar.
+
+Ernest had for some time practised vaulting; he ran, measuring his
+distance, and sprang over the heads of all the boys right up to the
+wall.
+
+"Bravo!" cried Buttar, delighted, "you'll do, I see; there's no fear of
+you now."
+
+Ernest felt much pleased by the praise bestowed on him by his new
+friend, and turning round he waved to the other boys to come on.  The
+last boy failed, and his side had to go under.  He proved as staunch,
+however, with two heavy boys on his shoulders, as any of the most
+practised players, and his side were much oftener riders than horses.
+
+"I say, though, you don't mean to say, Bracebridge, that you have never
+been to school before?" said Buttar, as they were summoned away to their
+bedrooms.  "I should have thought, from the way you do things, that you
+were an old boy."
+
+Ernest assured him that he had never been in any school whatever, and
+that he had associated very little with any boys, except his own
+brothers.
+
+"I'll tell you how it is," he continued; "my father says we should do
+everything on principle.  He has made us practise all sorts of athletic
+exercises, and shown us how we can make the best use of our muscles and
+bones.  The balls of the foot and toes are given us, for instance, as
+pads from which we may spring, and on which we may alight, but clumsy
+fellows will attempt to leap from their heels or jump down on them;
+however, I'll tell you what I know about the matter another time.  He
+has us taught to row and swim, and climb and ride.  He says that they
+are essential accomplishments for people who have to knock about the
+world, as all of us will have to do.  He has always told us that we must
+labour before we can be fed; it is the lot of humanity.  If we by any
+chance neglected to do what he ordered, we had to go without our dinner
+or breakfast, as the case might be; so you see we have learned to depend
+a good deal upon ourselves, and to feel that if we do not try our best
+to get on, no one else will help us."
+
+"Oh, yes!  I understand now why you are so different to most new boys,"
+answered Buttar.  "Well, your father is a sensible man, there's no doubt
+of it.  I got on pretty well when I first came, much from the same
+reason.  My mother never let us have our own way, always gave us plenty
+to do, and taught us to take care of ourselves without our nurses
+continually running after us.  Now I have seen big fellows come here,
+who cried if they were hit, were always eating cakes and sweet things,
+and sung out when they went to bed for the maid-servant to put on their
+night-caps; these sort of fellows are seldom worth much, either in
+school or out of it.  They fudge their lessons and shirk their work at
+play; regular do-nothing Molly Milksops, I call them."
+
+And the two boys laughed heartily at the picture Buttar had so well
+drawn.
+
+Off each room was a washing-place, well supplied with running water, and
+a bath for those boys who could not bathe in the pond.  Ernest's bed was
+pointed out to him.  Approaching it, he knelt down, and while most of
+the boys were washing, said his prayers.  Only one boy in a shrill voice
+cried out in the middle of them, Amen.  When Ernest rose up he looked
+round to try and discover who had used the expression.  All were silent,
+and pretended to be busily employed in getting into bed; two or three
+were chuckling as if something witty had been said.
+
+"I will not ask who said, Amen," remarked Ernest in a serious voice.
+"But remember, school-fellows, you are mocking, not a poor worm like me,
+but God Almighty, our Maker."  Saying this, he placed his head on his
+pillow.
+
+"A very odd fellow," observed two or three of the boys; "I wonder how he
+will turn out."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+ERNEST'S FIRST DAYS AT SCHOOL.
+
+The next morning, when he got up, Ernest was told, after prayers, to
+take his seat on a vacant bench at the bottom of the school, till the
+Doctor had time to examine him.  He felt rather nervous about his
+examination, for he had been led to suppose it a very awful affair.  At
+last the Doctor called him up and asked him what books he had read.
+Ernest ran through a long list; Sir Walter Scott's novels, and Locke on
+the Human Understanding, were among them.  The Doctor smiled as he
+enumerated them.
+
+"I fear that they will not stand you in good stead here, my man; the
+books I mean are Greek and Latin books.  What have you read of them?"
+
+"None, sir, right through.  I know a great number of words, and can put
+them together, and papa and I sometimes talk Latin and Greek together,
+just as easily as we do French and German and Italian."
+
+"I have no doubt that you will do in the end," observed Doctor Carr.  "I
+make a rule, however, to put boys who have not read certain books in the
+class in which those books are about to be read, and let them work their
+way up.  I reserve the power of removing a boy up as rapidly as I think
+fit, so that if you are diligent I have no doubt that you will rapidly
+rise in the school."
+
+Ernest thanked the Doctor, and in the forenoon went up with his new
+class.  He felt rather ashamed at finding himself among so many little
+boys, and still more at the bungling, hesitating way in which they said
+their lessons.  They were just beginning Caesar.  He found that he could
+quickly turn it into English, but he took his dictionary that he might
+ascertain the exact meaning of each word.  The Doctor called up his
+class that day, though he generally heard only the upper classes.
+Ernest began at the bottom, but before the lesson was over he had won
+his way to the top of the class.
+
+"Very good indeed, Bracebridge," said the Doctor with an approving
+smile; "you may read as much Caesar as you like every day.  I will beg
+Mr Johnson to hear you, and when you have got through it you shall be
+moved into the next class."
+
+Many of the boys thought this a very odd sort of reward, and were much
+surprised to hear Ernest thank the Doctor for his kindness.  They would
+have considered it a greater reward to be excused altogether from their
+lessons.  Much more surprised were they to find Ernest working away day
+after day at his Caesar, and translating as much as Mr Johnson had time
+to listen to.  He read on so clearly and fluently that most of the boys
+declared that he must have known all about it before.  A few felt
+jealous of him, and tried to interrupt him; but he went steadily working
+on, pretending to take no notice of these petty annoyances launched at
+him.  In the course of a fortnight he was out of the class and placed in
+the next above it.  This he got through in less than a month, and now he
+found himself in the same with Buttar, Dawson, and Bouldon.  They
+welcomed him very cordially, though they could not exactly understand
+how he managed so quickly to get among them.  The two latter, however,
+were especially indignant when they discovered his style of doing his
+work.
+
+"It's against all school morality," exclaimed Tommy, with a burst of
+virtuous anger.  "How should we be ever able to get through half our
+lessons if we were to follow your plan?  You must give it up, old
+fellow; it won't do."
+
+"I am sorry that I cannot, to please you," answered Ernest.  "You see, I
+want to read through all these books, that I may get to higher ones
+which are more interesting; and then I want to get to College as soon as
+possible, that I may begin life.  Our days in this world are too short
+to allow us to waste them.  If I get through school twice as fast as any
+of you, I shall have gained so many years to my life.  That is worth
+working for--is it not?"
+
+"My notion is, that we should do as few lessons and amuse ourselves as
+much as we can," answered Tom Bouldon.  "When we are grown up there will
+be time enough to think of employing time; I do not see any use in
+looking forward to the future, which is so far off."
+
+"What are we sent into this world for, do you think?" asked Ernest.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," answered Bouldon.
+
+"To spend the money which is left us, or to go into professions to make
+our fortunes," observed Dawson.
+
+"I should think rather to prepare for the future," remarked Ernest.  "So
+my father has always told me, and I am very sure that he is right.  We
+are just sent into this world to prepare for another, and that
+preparation is to be made by doing our duty to the best of our power in
+that station of life in which we are placed.  It is our duty when we are
+boys to prepare for being men, by training our minds and bodies, and by
+laying in as large a share of knowledge as we can obtain."
+
+"Oh, that's what the saints say!" exclaimed Dawson, with a laugh.  "We
+shall very soon christen you the saint, Bracebridge, if you talk in that
+way."
+
+"I don't mind what you may call me," said Ernest, quietly; "I only
+repeat what a sensible man has told me; I am very certain that he has
+only said what he knows to be the truth."
+
+Neither Dawson nor Bouldon would be convinced that Ernest was talking
+sense, but Buttar, who was listening, drank in every word he said.  He
+had at first felt an inclination to patronise the new boy, but he now
+tacitly acknowledged him as his superior in most respects, except
+perhaps a small amount of the details of school knowledge.
+
+Ernest, however, had been too carefully trained by his father to presume
+on this superiority.  He, of course, could not help feeling that he did
+many things better than most of his companions, but then he was
+perfectly conscious that if they had possessed the advantages his father
+had given him, they would probably have done as well.
+
+With the ushers he was a favourite, especially with his own master, who
+was under the impression that the rapid progress he made was owing to
+his instruction; while Doctor Carr soon perceived that he was likely to
+prove a credit to the school.  Ernest, however, was not perfect, and he
+had trials which were probably in the end good for him.  Some of the
+elder boys were jealous of the progress he made, and called him a
+conceited little puppy.  Blackall, who was only in the third class, and
+had from the first taken a dislike to him, did not like to see him
+catching him up, as he called it.  With mere brute force Ernest could
+not contend, so that he got many a cuff and kick from the ill-disposed
+among the elder boys, which he was obliged to take quietly, though he
+might have felt the inclination to resent the treatment he received.
+
+At length he began to prefer the hours spent in school, because he was
+there certain of being free from the annoyances in the playground.  The
+bigger boys did not condescend to play with hoops, but Ernest was very
+fond of all games played with them.  Buttar and he were generally on one
+side, opposed to Dawson and Bouldon.
+
+"Who's for prisoners' base?" exclaimed Buttar coming out from school
+into the playground with his hoop in his hand.
+
+Plenty of boys were ready to join, and soon there was a tremendous
+clattering away with hoop-sticks and hoops, while Ernest was seen with a
+light thin hoop, dodging in noiselessly among them.  His hoop-stick was
+as light as his hoop, which he never beat.  He merely pressed the stick
+against it, and in an instant, by placing the stick on the top, could
+either stop or turn, while he kept it under the most perfect command.
+The sides were soon arranged.  Out he darted with his swift hoop towards
+the enemy's prison, which he circled round; and though Tom Bouldon was
+on the watch to catch him, he kept dodging about till another of his own
+side ran out, in the hope of knocking down Bouldon's hoop.  Bouldon was
+in honour bound to follow Ernest till he touched his hoop, or drove him
+back to his base.  Ernest drove on his hoop to a considerable distance,
+with Tommy after him.  Jones, one of Ernest's side, pursued Tommy,
+Dawson pursued Jones, and Dawson, in his turn, was followed by Buttar,
+and so on, till every one playing was out with the double work of having
+to try and make a prisoner, and, at the same time, to escape from the
+boy pursuing him.  To a spectator not knowing the game, it might have
+appeared as if all was confusion: but those playing knew exactly what
+they were about, and felt that all their energies and science were
+required to enable them to play well.  Ernest's great aim was to lead
+Bouldon into such a position that Jones might catch him.  This he at
+last succeeded in doing, and Tommy and his hoop were sent into prison,
+and as no one was at the base, there he had every chance of remaining
+some time.  Meantime, Ernest rushed to the base, to be ready to capture
+any one who might get back on the opposite side and endeavour to rescue
+Bouldon.  He was joined speedily by Jones, who had only to look out so
+as to escape from Dawson.  Dawson might have caught him, but, being
+himself pursued, he had to take care of his own safety.  When Dawson saw
+that Jones had escaped him, he could with honour return to his camp; but
+his pursuer was nimble of foot, and had a light hoop, and just before he
+reached his base, he, or rather his hoop, was touched, and he had to
+take up his place in the prison.  Thus the game continued with great
+animation, victory appearing now to lean to one side, now to the other;
+but on each occasion when their side got the worst of it, Ernest and
+Buttar made such well-directed efforts that they speedily restored the
+day.  Now, all but three on their side were captured.  Out sprung Ernest
+with his hoop, flying like the wind; and while his opponents were
+looking on at the rapidity of his movements, Buttar, who had thrown
+himself on the ground, as if exhausted, leaped up, and dashing along,
+had recovered a prisoner before any one could overtake him.  Ernest in
+like manner regained another, and wheeling round as soon as he had
+entered the base, he was off again, and had sent an opponent to prison,
+and rescued another friend, without for a moment stopping.  Sometimes he
+would tell Buttar exactly what he was going to do, and so well were his
+plans laid, that he seldom failed to accomplish his design.  This gave
+him confidence in himself, and gained him the perfect confidence of his
+companions.  At length Ernest and Buttar succeeded in putting every one
+of their opponents in prison, and loud shouts from their side proclaimed
+that they had won the well-contested victory.  The game was over; the
+light hoops were laid aside, and Dawson proposed that they should play
+at English and French.  Their chargers, as they called their heavy
+hoops, were brought out from the play-room, and the two parties, joined
+by a good many more, drew up on opposite sides of the field.  Even some
+of the bigger fellows condescended to join in the game.  It was
+generally supposed to depend more on strength than skill.  The strongest
+hoops were used, and if a hoop was once down, the owner was obliged to
+retire from the field.  Just as they were about to begin, Blackall
+passed by.  Dawson instantly called to him--
+
+"I say, Blackall--there's a good fellow--do come and be our captain.
+Here's my biggest hoop--it's a stunner!  Under your guidance it is sure
+to gain us the victory."
+
+"Well, I don't mind helping you," answered Blackall, carelessly, eyeing,
+however, Ernest and Buttar, for both of whom he had an especial dislike.
+
+"That won't do," observed Buttar, who was one of the captains of his
+party.  "Stay, I'll get Lemon to join us.  He won't mind taking a
+hoop-stick to help us; and he, and you, and I, together with a few other
+good fellows and true, will be able to hold our own against Dawson and
+Tommy, even though they have Bully Blackall with them."
+
+Buttar soon found Miles Lemon, who, though he was reading an interesting
+book, jumped up with the most good-natured alacrity, and undertook to
+act as the leader of their party.
+
+"Oh, you fellows were afraid to take care of yourselves!" exclaimed
+Blackall, when he saw Lemon and Buttar approaching.  "Well, we will see
+what we can do."
+
+There were full thirty boys on each side--nearly half the school.  None
+of the bigger boys, of course, condescended to play with hoops.
+Blackall and Lemon, indeed, made it understood that they only joined as
+leaders, and on no account for their own amusement, while there were a
+good many small boys who were considered too weak to take part in so
+rough a sport.  The armies were drawn up in double line, one at each end
+of the gravel playground.  At a signal given, they rushed forward to the
+deadly strife, some striking away at their heavy hoops with all their
+might, and using clubs rather than hoop-sticks.  Ernest offered a great
+contrast to those heavy chargers.  He entered the battle with his light
+hoop and hoop-stick, and when the signal was given, rushed forward in
+the van to commence the strife.  On came Blackall, highly indignant to
+see a new boy taking the lead in so prominent a way.  He struck his hoop
+with a force sufficient to overthrow not only Ernest's hoop, but Ernest
+himself; but the young champion knew well what he was about.  Instead of
+waiting for the blow, by a dexterous turn he brought the edge of his
+light hoop against the side of Blackall's, which went reeling away among
+the following crowd, and was instantly upset.  Ernest was in time to
+treat another hoop of the second line in the same fashion, and then he
+sprang on with a shout of victory to the end of the ground.  Several
+times the two parties changed sides, and each time five or six hoops
+went down, sometimes more.  It was a regular tournament, such as was
+fought by the knights of old, only hoops were used instead of horses,
+and hoop-sticks in lieu of lances; but the spirit which animated the
+breasts of the combatants was the same, and probably it was enjoyed as
+keenly.  Blackall stood on one side, eyeing with revengeful feelings the
+success which attended Ernest wherever he moved.  Backwards and forwards
+he went; and although constantly charged and marked out for destruction
+by the biggest fellows on the opposite side, always avoiding them, and
+seldom failing to strike down one or more hoops in every course.
+Blackall could not understand how it was.  He was not aware what a
+well-practised eye, good nerves, and a firm will could accomplish.
+Ernest's father had instilled into him the principle, that whatever is
+worth doing at all, is worth doing as well as it can be done.  So, when
+he took a hoop in his hand, he considered how he could use it to the
+best advantage; and from the first, he never played with it without
+endeavouring to perfect himself in some method of turning it here or
+there, of stopping it suddenly, or of twirling it round.
+
+A second time that day did Ernest's party come off victorious.  Some
+said that it was owing to Lemon having joined them: but Lemon himself
+confessed that he had not done half as much execution as had young
+Bracebridge.  From that day Lemon noticed Ernest in a very marked way,
+and when he spoke to him treated him as an equal in age.  Some of his
+first companions declared that, to a certainty, Bracebridge would be
+very much cocked up by the attention shown him; but they were mistaken,
+for he pursued the even tenor of his way without showing that he by any
+means thought himself superior to his companions.
+
+The Easter holidays arrived.  Those who lived near enough to the school
+went home; but as the boys were generally collected from widely
+separated parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the greater number
+remained.  They had greater liberty than at any other time, and were
+allowed to make long excursions with one of the masters, or with some of
+the bigger boys who, from their good principles and steadiness, were
+considered fit to be entrusted with them.  Lemon was high enough in the
+school to have that honour, and so Ernest and Buttar always endeavoured
+to belong to his party.  Lemon was very glad to have them, as he found
+them more companionable than many of the bigger fellows, and he had no
+difficulty in keeping them in order.  Tom Bouldon was also frequently of
+their party.  He had tried others, but after some experience he found
+their society by far the most satisfactory.  Blackall, although a bully,
+stood pretty well with the masters.  He had cleverness sufficient to get
+through his lessons with credit, and he had sense enough to keep himself
+out of mischief generally.  Doctor Carr now and then had uncomfortable
+feelings about him.  He was not altogether satisfied with his plausible
+answers; nor did he like the expression of his countenance, that almost
+sure indicator of the mind within.  Still the Doctor hoped that he might
+be mistaken, and did not forbid Blackall, who was appointed to the
+office by one of the masters, to take out a party of youngsters.  Far
+better would it have been for the boys had they been kept shut up within
+the walls of the school-room on the finest days of the year than have
+been allowed to go out with such an associate.  Blackall wanted to be
+considered a man, and he thought the sure way to become so was to
+imitate the vices and bad habits of men.  Too well do I remember the
+poison he poured into the ears of his attentive and astonished hearers.
+About five miles off there was a village with a few small shops in it.
+One of them contained books and stationery, and cigars and snuff.  It
+was much patronised by Blackall, not for the former, but for the latter
+articles.  He thought it very manly not only to have his cigar-case, but
+his snuff-box.  Lemon never failed to ridicule him to the other boys for
+his affectation of manliness.  He did this to prevent them from
+following so pernicious an example.
+
+"See that fellow, now, making a chimney of his mouth and a dust-hole of
+his nose," observed Lemon, when one day he and his party passed him,
+with several of his companions, lying on the grass on a hill side, three
+or four miles from the school.  Blackall had a huge cigar in his mouth,
+and a small boy sat near him, looking pale as death, and evidently
+suffering dreadfully.
+
+"What's the matter, Eden?" asked Lemon, kindly, as he passed him.
+
+"Oh--oh! it's that horrid tobacco!  I thought I should like it; but I'm
+going to die--I know that I am.  Oh dear! oh dear!" answered the little
+fellow.
+
+"I hope that you are not going to die," said Lemon; "but you will not
+get well sitting there in the hot sun.  Jump up, and come with us.
+Bracebridge and Buttar and I will help you along.  There's a stream of
+clear cold water near here; a draught of that will do you much good.
+Think how pleasant it will be trickling down your throat, and putting
+out the fire which I know you feel burning within you."
+
+The picture that Lemon thus wisely drew was so attractive, that the
+little fellow got slowly up, and tried to walk along with him.
+
+"Where are you going to take Eden to?" shouted Blackall, when he saw
+what was occurring.
+
+"Out of mischief," answered Lemon.  "We are going to the seaside, and--
+some fresh air will do him good."
+
+"He is under my charge, and you have no business to take him away from
+me," said Blackall.
+
+Lemon had become much interested in poor little Eden, who was a
+promising boy, and who he saw would be ruined if left much in Blackall's
+society.  He therefore, like a true-hearted, conscientious person,
+resolved by all means to save him.  He did not say, like some people,
+after a few slight efforts, "I have done my duty.  I warned him of the
+consequences, and I am not called on to do any more."  When he wanted to
+draw a boy out of danger, he made him his friend; he worked and worked
+away; he talked to him; he showed him the inevitable result of his
+folly; he used arguments of all sorts; he worked on all the better
+feelings the boy might possess; and what was of still more avail, he did
+not trust to his own strength for success--he prayed earnestly at the
+Throne of Grace--at that Throne where such prayers are always gladly
+heard--that his efforts might avail: and others wondered, more than
+Lemon himself, how it was when Lemon took a fellow in hand that he
+always turned out so well.  For this important object he struggled hard
+to obtain popularity in the school, and succeeded; for no boy of his age
+and size was so popular among all the right-thinking and well-disposed
+boys as he was.  On this occasion he resolved not to leave Eden in
+Blackall's power.
+
+"If he wishes to come, I shall certainly allow him," said Lemon.
+
+"He was committed to my charge by Mr Ogilby, and you have no business
+to take him away," cried Blackall, still leaning lazily on his arm, and
+continuing to smoke.
+
+"To make him sick and wretched; to teach him to smoke and to drink beer
+and spirits, and to listen to your foul conversation--you reprobate!"
+answered Lemon calmly, as he stopped and faced Blackall.
+
+"By God!  I'll thrash you for that as soundly as you ever were in your
+life," exclaimed Blackall, taking his cigar out of his mouth, and rising
+to his feet.
+
+Earnest's heart rose to his mouth; Buttar clenched his fists tightly.
+Putting Eden behind them, they sprang to Lemon's side, and looked
+defiantly at the approaching bully.  None of the other boys of either
+party stirred.  Blackall did not like the aspect of affairs.  He knew
+that though, from his greater strength and weight, he could thrash
+Lemon, he could not hope at any time to gain an easy victory; and from
+what he had observed of Ernest, he suspected that if he did strike, he
+would strike very hard and sharp.  Buttar also, when once he was
+attempting to thrash him, had given him such a hit in the eye that the
+mark had remained for a fortnight at least, to the no small satisfaction
+of those whom he had been accustomed to bully.  He therefore stopped
+just before he got up to Lemon.
+
+"Come," he said, "I don't want to quarrel.  Let Eden remain, and I'll
+cry _pax_."
+
+"Certainly not, Blackall, you've let Eden do what is forbidden; you are
+setting him a bad example.  I shall therefore be glad to take him away
+from you.  He wishes to accompany me, and I shall let him do so," was
+the answer.
+
+"Oh, you're a puritanical saint, Lemon,--all the school knows that,"
+said Blackall with a sneer with which he hoped to cover his own retreat.
+He had been telling the fellows around him that he felt very seedy, and
+as he looked at the firm front of his three antagonists he had no fancy
+to commence a desperate fight with them.
+
+"I wish to deserve the good opinion of my schoolfellows, and I do not
+believe that they will agree with you," said Lemon.  "If hating vice and
+despising the low practices in which you indulge will make me a saint, I
+am ready to acknowledge the impeachment, and I can only say that I hope
+the poor little fellows may see the hideousness of sin, and loathe it as
+much as they do the vile tobacco-leaves you give them to suck, and the
+spirits and beer which you teach them to drink.  Stop! hear me out.
+There is nothing immoral in drinking a glass of beer or in smoking, but
+in our case they are both forbidden by the Doctor, whom we are bound to
+obey.  Both become vices when carried to excess, as you, Blackall, carry
+them, and would teach your pitiable imitators to carry them; and I warn
+you and them that such practices can only bring you disgrace and misery
+at last."
+
+Lemon, without saying another word, turned on his heel, and, accompanied
+by his two sturdy supporters, was walking away.
+
+"Do you mean to say that I drink?" shouted Blackall, with an oath, as
+soon as he could recover from the astonishment into which this unusual
+style of address had thrown him.
+
+Lemon turned round, looked him full in the face, and said, "I do."  Then
+he went on the way he had been going.  Blackall did not say another
+word, but staggered back to the bank on which he had been sitting, and
+endeavoured to re-light the end of the cigar he had dropped when he got
+up.  He knew that Lemon had spoken the truth.  Already he had that day
+stopped at more than one road-side ale-house and drunk several glasses
+of beer.  "_In vino-veritas_," is a true saying.  Blackall when sober
+might pass for a very brave fellow: his true character came out when he
+was drunk, and he showed himself an arrant coward, as he had done on
+this occasion.  The boys who remained with him looked very foolish, and
+some of them felt heartily ashamed of their leader.  Some resolved to
+break from him altogether, but he had thrown his chains too firmly over
+others to allow them to hope or even to wish to get free from him.
+Lemon, Ernest, Buttar, and their companions continued their walk,
+carrying poor little Eden along with them.  He confessed to having
+chewed a piece of the cigar and swallowed it, before he discovered that
+it was not intended to be eaten.  Happily for him, he became violently
+sick, and then, having washed his face in a brook and taken a draught of
+cold water, he was able to enjoy the beautiful coast scenery the party
+ultimately reached.
+
+"Is not this much better than sitting smoking and boozing with that
+thick-headed fellow, Blackall, and his set?" said Ernest, addressing
+young Eden.
+
+"Indeed it is," was the answer.  "I'm sure if Lemon will let me come
+with him, I will gladly promise never to go out with Blackall any more."
+
+"Stick to that resolution, my boy," replied Ernest.  "I'll undertake
+that Lemon will let you accompany him; and now let us go down on the
+beach.  These sands look very tempting."
+
+The whole party were soon on the sands, strolling along and picking up
+the various marine curiosities they found in their way.  Most of the
+party wondered at the odd-shaped things they picked up, but had not the
+slightest notion of their names, or even whether they were animal or
+vegetable.  Ernest knew very little on the subject, though he had read a
+book or so about the wonders of the sea-shore; but Lemon was able to
+give his party nearly all the information they required.  One of their
+number was called John Gregson.  He was looked upon by the school
+generally as rather stupid.  He seldom joined in any of their games; and
+when he did, played them very badly, unless they were such as required
+more judgment than practice.  Now, however, he showed that he possessed
+some knowledge which the others did not.  Ernest had picked up a
+roundish object with a hole through it, and partly covered with spines,
+which Tom Bouldon stoutly declared to be a fish's egg.
+
+"It must have been a very large fish, then," observed Ernest.  "Those
+prickles, too, are puzzling.  Perhaps they grew after the egg was laid."
+
+The general opinion was that Gregson knew something about all sorts of
+out-of-the-way matters.
+
+"I say, Gregson, this is a regular-built _egg_; isn't it?" said Bouldon,
+as soon as he could be found.  He was discovered up to his knees in a
+pool among the rocks, with a hammer and chisel in hand, working
+perseveringly under water.
+
+"No; you first make a statement totally at variance with the truth, and
+then ask a question," answered the young naturalist, looking up from his
+occupation, but apparently not well pleased at being interrupted.  "That
+is the _Echinus esculentus_, or sea-urchin.  Just let me finish knocking
+off this magnificent anemone, and I'll tell you all about it."
+
+"Anemone!  Oh, I know--one of those curious coloured sea-weedy things
+I've seen girls collect at watering-places," observed Bouldon, whose
+knowledge of natural history was not very extensive.  "I'd save you all
+that trouble; let me cut it off with my knife."
+
+"Not for the world; you'd kill it, to a certainty," exclaimed Gregson.
+"See, I have knocked off a piece of the rock to which it is sticking,
+and I may now put it into my jar.  Now I could cut off any portion of
+it, and the part cut off will turn into a new anemone, but if I were to
+injure the base the animal would quickly die.  They belong to the class
+scientifically called _Anthozoa_ or living flowers, because from their
+external appearance they seem to partake of the vegetable nature.  Just
+look into that part of the pool which I have left undisturbed.  See,
+there are two of them feeding.  Look how they stretch out their long
+tentacles to catch hold of their food.  Ah! that one has got hold of a
+tiny shrimp, and is tucking it into his hungry maw, which is just in the
+middle of its flower-like body.  Is he not a handsome fellow?  What
+beautiful colours he presents!  Ah!  I thought that I should see
+something else in the pool that you would think curious.  Look down
+close.  There are three or more little globular bodies floating about
+like balloons.  The animal is the berve.  It has ciliated bands round
+it, like the marks on a melon.  What a beautiful iridescent light plays
+over them!  They enable it to move over the water, while with its long
+tentacles it fishes for its food.  At night those cilia shine with a
+phosphorescent light, and have a very beautiful appearance.  Stop! oh,
+don't go away without looking more particularly at this submarine
+forest.  The woods of America in autumn do not present more gorgeous
+colours.  That beautiful pink weed is the _Delesseria sanguinea_.  Let
+us pull up some and take it with us to dry it.  It will keep its colour
+for years and its smell for months.  See, those are shrimps cruising in
+and about those delicate branches, and crabs crawling round their stems,
+and sandskippers darting about; ah, and there comes a goby!  Did any of
+you ever see a goby?  Look at him!--what bright eyes he has got!  He is
+hardly bigger than a shrimp, but he is their deadly enemy.  He eats up
+their eggs and the young shrimps, as well as sandhoppers, and indeed
+anything living which he can get into his big mouth.  In his way he is
+just as terrific a fellow as the shark.  He is very hardy, too, and will
+live in an aquarium with perfect contentment provided he can get enough
+to eat."
+
+"Well, I had no notion that so many curious things were to be found in a
+little pool of water," observed Bouldon.  "I've looked into hundreds,
+but never found anything that I know of."
+
+"Oh, I have not mentioned a quarter of the things to be found even in
+this pool," answered Gregson.  "Ah, look at that soldier-crab now!  He
+has just come out from among the sea-weed with his stolen shell in which
+he has stowed away his soft tail.  I'll tell you all about him--"
+
+"Not now, Greggy, thank you," exclaimed Bouldon, who was getting
+somewhat tired of the naturalist's accounts.  When Gregson once began on
+his favourite subject he was never inclined to stop.  Nor was that
+surprising, for no subject is more interesting and absorbing to those
+who once take it up--nothing affords more pure or unmixed delight.
+
+"But I say, Greggy, you promised to tell us about this sea-egg, or
+whatever it is called," said Buttar.  "Come, I want to hear."
+
+"Well, look at this starfish," answered Gregson, drawing a five-fingered
+jack from his jar.  Then, taking the echinus in his hand,--"These two
+fellows are first cousins, very nearly related, though you may not be
+inclined to believe the fact.  The thing you call an egg was as much a
+living being, capable of feeding itself and producing young, as this
+starfish.  If I was to bend round the rays of the starfish and fill up
+the interior, I could produce an animal very like the echinus.  Both of
+them have also a mouth at the lower part, and their internal structure
+is very similar.  It is curious that as the echinus grows he continually
+sends forth a substance from the interior which simultaneously increases
+the sides of all the plates which form his shell, and thus he never
+finds his coat too small for him.  The spines which appear so rigid when
+he is dead, he can move when alive in any direction, and they are an
+excellent substitute for feet; while he can put forth tentacles from the
+centre orifice, which serve him as hands.  Did you ever see a starfish
+walk?  Well, he can get very rapidly over the ground and up steep rocks.
+He can bend his body into any shape, and the lower surface is covered
+with vast numbers of tentacles, with which he can work his onward way;
+and it is extraordinary what long journeys he is able to accomplish by
+perseverance."
+
+Gregson wound up his lecture by promising to commence a salt-water
+aquarium, and most of his companions undertook to make another excursion
+with him for the purpose of conveying back a sufficient supply of
+salt-water and living curiosities to stock it.  They all agreed that
+they had mightily enjoyed their day's excursion.  Ernest, for the first
+time since he had come to school, felt rather ashamed of himself that he
+knew so little about natural history, especially of the sea, and he
+resolved to take every opportunity of making himself acquainted with the
+subject.  Just before they reached home they passed through the field
+where they had left Blackall and his party.  Most of the boys had gone
+away; but they saw three or four collected together at the bank where
+the bully had been sitting.  He was there; and his companions were
+bending over him endeavouring to rouse him up.  Several empty porter
+bottles lay near, which plainly told what was the matter with him--he
+was helplessly tipsy.  Lemon, and Ernest, and Buttar went forward to
+help to drag him along.  He looked a picture of imbecility and
+brutishness.  He knew none of them; and only grinned horribly when they
+spoke to him.  Though they felt he richly deserved punishment, it was a
+point of honour to endeavour to save a school-fellow from disgrace, so
+they hauled him along and got him into his room and put to bed without
+meeting any of the masters or the matron--an undertaking they could not
+have performed except in the holidays.  Nearly all his companions next
+day looked very wretched and complained of headaches--a pretty strong
+proof of the ill effects of drinking.  Alas, how many youths have been
+hopelessly ruined by the example and counsels of a wretch like
+Blackall!--and how many, in consequence of habits such as his, have sunk
+into an early and unhonoured grave, after continuing for a time a
+trouble and shame to all belonging to them!  Let masters and parents
+watch carefully against the first steps taken, often through folly and
+idleness, towards so vile a habit; and most earnestly do I pray that
+none of my young readers may be tempted to adopt so destructive a
+practice.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+OUR GRAND HARE HUNT.
+
+"Who's for a jolly good game of hare and hounds?" exclaimed Tom Bouldon,
+rushing into the play-room, where a number of boys were assembled, soon
+after breakfast, on a lovely day during the Easter holidays.  Nearly
+everybody replied, "I am, I, I, I."
+
+"That's right; we couldn't have finer weather, and it's sure to last.
+I've been talking to young Bracebridge, and he has undertaken to do
+hare," observed Bouldon.  "I know what some of you will say: he's a new
+fellow, and isn't fit for the work; but there isn't such a runner in the
+school.  You see how he enters into all the games, though he has never
+played them before.  I'll bet he'll make as good a hare as we've ever
+had, if not a better.  That's my opinion."
+
+This oration of Tommy's had the desired effect.  With but few
+dissentient voices, Ernest was elected to the honour of acting hare.
+Tommy hurried out to inform him of the fact.  Ernest was not well
+prepared for the undertaking.  He had only entered two or three times
+before into the sport, but still he sufficiently understood what was
+required of him, to feel that he should make a very creditable hare.
+He, however, thought that it would be more satisfactory if he was to
+consult with Bouldon and Buttar, as to what line of country he should
+take.  They told him that if they knew, it would spoil their fun; so
+they went and found Lemon, who gladly undertook to give him his advice
+on the subject.
+
+In the meantime, all hands were busily employed in making scent; that
+is, tearing into the smallest possible pieces all the bits of paper they
+could lay hands on.  Ernest's consultation with Lemon was soon over.
+Having put on his across-country boots, a short pair of loose trousers,
+and taken in his belt a hole or so, grasping a trusty stick in his hand,
+he set off by himself to have a look over the country.
+
+The whole party of hounds numbered upwards of forty.  There were some
+very good runners among them; and, what was of more consequence, several
+who knew the country thoroughly; so that Ernest knew that he must put
+forth all his energies.  This, however, was what he took delight in
+doing.
+
+No people but those who have played at hare and hounds, can fully
+appreciate the excitement, the interest, and the pleasure of the game;
+or the proud feeling of the hare, who finds that he is successfully
+baffling his pursuers when he is distancing them by the rapidity of his
+pace, or by the artfulness of his dodges; still all the time, whatever
+twists and turns he may make, knowing that he is bound to leave traces
+of his scent sufficiently strong to lead on the hounds.
+
+The greater part of the day was consumed in preparations for the hunt.
+Everybody engaged looked out their easiest shoes, and their thickest
+worsted socks.  Still a huntsman and a whipper-in were to be chosen:
+Buttar proposed asking Lemon, and Bouldon seconded the motion.  But then
+it was suggested, that Ernest had consulted him as to the course he
+should pursue.  One or two cried out for Blackall.  "No, no; let us ask
+Lemon," said Buttar again; "if he knows too much about the course
+Bracebridge is to take, he will not go; but if he thinks it is right, he
+will.  We can always trust Lemon's honour, you know."
+
+No one dissented from this opinion.  Probably Lemon himself was scarcely
+aware how popular he really was; and certainly he would have been fully
+satisfied with the grounds on which his popularity was founded.  At
+last, Lemon was met coming into the playground.  Several voices assailed
+him with "Will you be huntsman?"
+
+"Will you be huntsman, Lemon?"
+
+"I must take time to consider; it is a serious undertaking," he
+answered, laughing.  "I will see what Tommy and Buttar have to say."
+
+They expressed their own opinions, and mentioned all that had been said.
+"Very well, I can take the part very conscientiously," he added; "I
+merely advised Bracebridge in a general way, what course to take; and
+when he knows that I am to be huntsman, he will deviate sufficiently to
+prevent me from being able to follow him, unless I get hold of the
+scent."
+
+In the evening, when Ernest came back, he expressed his perfect
+readiness to have Lemon as huntsman.  Bouldon was chosen as whipper-in.
+
+"And I'll try to be one of the fleetest hounds," said Dawson, "since I'm
+neither hare, nor huntsman, nor whipper-in."
+
+Lemon possessed many qualifications for his office; and, among others, a
+capital horn, on which he could play very well.  We always got up our
+games of hare and hounds in first-rate style.  The huntsman, besides his
+horn, was furnished with a white flag, fastened to a staff shod with
+iron; while the whipper-in had a red flag.  The hare had as large a bag
+as he could carry of white paper, torn into very small pieces.
+Frequently, too, the hounds dressed in blue or red caps and jackets,
+which gave the field a very animated appearance; far better in one
+respect than a real hunt with harriers, because we were certain that the
+hare was enjoying the fun as much as the hunters, and whether he was
+caught or escaped, would sit down afterwards to a capital dinner or tea
+with them, and "fight his battles o'er again."
+
+The morning for the hunt arrived.  It broke, bright and beautiful! with
+just enough frost in the air to give it freshness and briskness.
+
+The boys were up soon after daybreak, and had breakfast at once, that
+they might be ready to start at an early hour, and have the whole day
+before them.  They assembled, just outside the school-grounds, in a
+small wood, which would conceal the hare from them, when he broke cover,
+and enable him to get a good start.
+
+The hunt was to be longer than any that had ever been run, and as there
+was every probability that all the scent would be expended, it was
+arranged that Buttar should accompany Ernest to carry an additional bag
+of paper.
+
+The huntsman sounded his horn cheerily, and all the hounds came pouring
+into the woodland glade, accompanied by the Doctor, who seemed as eager
+as any one to see the sport.
+
+"Now, Buttar, are you all ready?" said Ernest, as they buckled up their
+waist-belts, and grasped their leaping-poles.  "Too--too--too," went the
+huntsman's horn.
+
+"Off hare, off hare," cried the Doctor.  "Ten minutes law will give you
+a fine start; you'll make play with it--away, away!"  He clapped his
+hands.  Off flew Ernest and Buttar, fleet as greyhounds, and very unlike
+the timid hares they pretended to represent.
+
+The Doctor held his watch in his hand.  The hounds meantime were getting
+ready to start; one pressing before the other, taking a last look at
+shoe-strings, tightening in their belts, rubbing their hands, in their
+eagerness to rush out of the wood and commence the pursuit.  They kept
+looking up at the Doctor's countenance, to endeavour to ascertain by the
+expression it wore whether time was nearly up.  Those who had watches
+were continually pulling them out for the same object.  At last the
+Doctor was seen to put his into his pocket.  Lemon gave a cheerful sound
+with his horn.
+
+"Away, lads, away!" cried the Doctor, full of animation.  The instant
+the order was issued, the hounds made a magnificent burst out of the
+wood, in full cry, led on by the huntsman, waving his flag, and followed
+by Tom Bouldon, as whipper-in; an office he performed most effectually.
+The Doctor stalked after them, enjoying the sport as much as anybody;
+and, I have no doubt, longing to enter more fully into it, and to run
+along with them.
+
+Away went the pack, cheering each other on, across a field in which they
+had found the scent.  At the bottom of it ran a rapid brook, as they all
+well knew.  There were stepping-stones across it.  It required a firm
+foot and a steady eye not to fall in.  It was a clever dodge of the hare
+to gain time, for only one could cross at a time.  There was scent on
+each stone, to show he had crossed.  Two or three slipped in, but were
+speedily picked out again by their companions; and forming rapidly,
+continued the chase on the other side, up a long green lane, with high
+hedges on either side.  They had to keep their eyes about them to
+ascertain whether he had gone through the hedge, or kept up the lane.
+On, on they went! at last a pathway, over a stile, appeared on the
+right, leading through a thick copse.  They dashed into it, but soon
+found that the pathway had not been kept; and through briar and
+underwood they had to force a passage; now losing the scent, now
+catching it again; a wide, dry, sunny field lay before them; along it,
+and two or three others of a similar character they had to go; and then
+across another brook, over which, one after the other, they boldly
+leapt.  Once more they were in a green lane, with deep cart ruts in it.
+Before them was a mud cottage, with thatched roof, and a small, fully
+cultivated garden, enclosed by rough palings, in front of it.
+
+An old couple looked out, surprised at the noise.  "Oh, they be the
+young gentlemen from Grafton Hall.  What can they be after?" they
+observed to one another.
+
+"I say, good dame, have you seen a couple of hares running along this
+way?" exclaimed Tom Bouldon, striking his staff into the ground, for the
+hounds had lost the scent.
+
+"No; but we seed two young gentlemen a scampering along here, and up
+that there lane.  Bees they demented?  We didn't like to stop them,
+though somehow we thought as how we ought."
+
+"Lucky you didn't; they'd have kicked up a great row, let me tell you,"
+answered Tommy, laughing heartily.  He had not time to say more.  The
+shout of "Tally ho!" and the merry sound of the huntsman's horn, put all
+the pack in motion.  The lane led up hill, and then widened out on some
+wild open rounded downs, with here and there a white chalk-pit, showing
+the character of the soil.  Up it they tore--for the scent was strong,
+and they were eager to make up for the time they had lost.
+
+Every one was well warmed up now, and would have leaped across a chasm
+or down a precipice, or performed any other desperate achievement which
+they would not have attempted to do in their cooler moments.  They
+breasted the steep downs in magnificent style.  The scent led up some of
+the most difficult parts.  For half a mile or more it led along the very
+summit of the ridge, but a fresh sweet breeze came playing around them,
+invigorating their muscles, and making them insensible to fatigue.  The
+scent led over a high mound, along the edge of a chalk cliff.  As they
+reached the summit, two figures were seen on the top of a similar
+height.  All were of opinion that they were Ernest and Buttar.  They
+looked scarcely half a mile off.  The figures took off their caps, and
+waved them: this act dispelled all doubts on the subject.  Some began to
+fear that they should catch the hares too easily, but Lemon assured them
+that there was no fear of that, and so they soon found.  Down the steep
+they dashed, till he shouted to them to stop, and to turn off to the
+left.  A long line of chalk cliffs intervened between them and the
+opposite height, and the scent led along their edge.  Ernest and Buttar
+had, in the meantime, disappeared; after a run of a quarter of a mile,
+once more the scent was lost.
+
+"Lost, lost!" shouted Lemon; and the hounds as they came up, went off in
+every direction to try and find it.  In vain, for a long time, they
+hunted about, till a white spot was seen at the edge of the cliff, a
+little farther on.  The cliff was here more practicable.  They looked
+over; several pieces of paper appeared scattered on little green patches
+down the precipice.  Fearlessly they began to descend, though to some
+people it would have been nervous work.  The difficulty they found
+showed that Ernest and his companion had in no way lost ground, but had
+probably gained on them.  Now they all reached a ledge, beyond which the
+descent seemed utterly impracticable.  Still Ernest and Buttar evidently
+had got down.
+
+"Where the hares have gone, we must follow," cried Lemon, to encourage
+his party.  "Hunt about for a path--where there's a will there's a way!
+Hurra, now!"
+
+The hounds kept examining the ledge in every direction, and at a
+distance they must have looked like a swarm of ants, so busy did they
+appear.  Still without success; and some of the more fainthearted
+declared that they should have to climb up the cliff again, and find
+some other way down, or give up the chase.
+
+"No, no, nonsense," said the huntsman.  "There is a way down, and the
+way must be found."
+
+I must now go back to describe the progress of the hare and his friend.
+
+I have read of "the hare and many friends," but they were very unlike
+young Buttar; no one could desire a stouter or a stauncher friend.
+Before starting they had well laid their plans, and determined to give
+the hounds a good run.  Ernest had provided himself with a good pocket
+compass, so that he could steer as direct a course as the ground would
+allow to the point he had selected to round before turning back towards
+home.
+
+"Let us go along over the smooth ground at a good pace--we shall save
+time to spare when we come to the difficult places," observed Ernest to
+Buttar, as they were waiting for the Doctor's signal to start.  It was
+given--and away they went; steady at first, but gradually increasing
+their speed as they found that they could easily draw breath.  They met
+with no impediments in the way.  They easily leaped the brooks they
+encountered.  The old couple in Ashby-lane stared at them, and wondered
+where they could be going, leaving little bits of paper behind them.
+Then they came to Ashby-downs: it was hot work toiling up the steep
+side, with the hot sun striking down on them; but when they got to the
+summit, a fresh breeze and a clear blue air revived their strength, and
+they went along merrily, every now and then looking back to try and
+catch sight of the hounds, judiciously dropping their scent in places
+where it could be seen, and not blown away by the breeze.  They had
+several points to attend to.  They had been especially charged by the
+Doctor to avoid trespassing on any private ground; they had to select an
+interesting course, and one not too difficult, at the same time with
+every possible variety of country.
+
+On they went, making good play over the short smooth turf of the downs.
+At last they came to the cliff.  Buttar was for descending again, and
+crossing the ravine where it opened into the plain country.
+
+"No, no," said Ernest, "we shall increase our distance if we can manage
+to get down the highest part of the cliff.  Let us try what we can do
+before we give it up."
+
+Down the cliff they began to descend.  There were plenty of craggy,
+rugged spots, which facilitated their descent, but in most places there
+was only room for one person to descend at a time, so, as in the
+instance of the stepping-stones, their pursuers had to form in Indian
+file.  They easily reached the ledge.  Below it the way was, indeed,
+difficult.  At the very end, however, Ernest observed several points of
+rock jutting out.  By climbing up to them he saw that he could drop down
+on a broader ledge, well covered with soft turf, and could then descend
+under the very ledge on which they were standing.
+
+Buttar agreed to make the attempt, feeling certain that Lemon would find
+that or some other means of overcoming the difficulty.
+
+Ernest clutched the rock, and got along bravely, followed by Buttar.
+"Take care that you do not sprain your ankle as you drop," cried the
+latter, as Ernest prepared to let go so as to descend to the ledge.  He
+reached it in safety.  He caught his companion in his arms so as to
+break his fall, and sprinkling some paper under the long ledge, they
+pursued their way.  Once Buttar had to let down Ernest with their
+handkerchiefs tied together, while Ernest again caught him.  Safely they
+reached the bottom, and away they went across valleys, over streams, and
+up hills, never once dreaming of fatigue.
+
+I need not follow them in the whole of their course.  They were much
+delighted, on reaching a high mound, to see the hounds in hot pursuit of
+them, and still more when all the pack were assembled on the ledge
+trying to find a way down.
+
+"I hope none of them will come to grief," said Buttar.  "Do you know, I
+think that it would have been safer to have taken some other course:
+that is a difficult place."
+
+"The very reason I was glad to find it," replied Ernest; "one of these
+days some of them may have a whole tribe of Red Indians or Caffres after
+them, and then they may be thankful that they learned how to get down a
+place of the sort.  See!  I think they are finding out the way.  Let us
+push on."  They rose up into view, and waving their caps, on they went.
+Next they found a descent, down which they trotted quickly, and then
+another cliff appeared before them; at the top some fine views were to
+be obtained.  They did not hesitate; up they climbed Fairway Tower was
+in sight; a wide valley full of streams and rather difficult country
+was, however, between them and it.  They pushed on along the downs; then
+they descended another steep hill, and on reaching the plain a rapid
+wide stream was before them.  Ernest had expected to come down near a
+bridge, which he proposed crossing.  He and Buttar looked at the broad
+stream with a puzzled expression.  They were not quite certain whether
+the bridge was to the right or left.  They decided on taking the left,
+going down the stream.  At last they met a countryman.  They inquired of
+him about the bridge.
+
+"Oh; 'tis the other way, lads," he answered.  "But, I say, young
+measters, bees you runnin' away from school in such a hurry?"
+
+"No, no," answered Ernest, laughing.  "We are running for the pleasure
+of making the school run after us.  If we could get across the stream it
+may puzzle them to follow us.  Can you show us any place where we may
+cross?"
+
+"Yes; that I can," was the answer.  "There bees a place with a sort of
+an island loike in the middle.  There's a plank athwart one place, and a
+tree hangs over t'other.  If ye be as active as ye looks, ye'll make no
+odds a getting over."
+
+"Oh, thank you, thank you, my man, we shall be much obliged to you, and
+as your time is your money? here is what is your due," answered Ernest,
+handing the countryman a small coin.  "But lead on; we have no time to
+lose."
+
+"Noa, ma young ones, I'll no take your money.  It's too much by half for
+just ten minutes' work.  Come along though, if ye bees in a hurry," said
+the good-natured fellow, putting back the coin, and leading the way down
+the stream.  "If so be when we gets wages, we never has them, ye know,
+till the work is done."  He trudged on with his arms swinging before
+him, getting quickly over the ground, though his legs did not appear to
+move half so fast as those of the young gentlemen.  He did not utter a
+word all the time, but seemed to concentrate all his energies in getting
+over the ground as rapidly as he could.  Ernest and Buttar ran on by his
+side, dropping the paper here and there sufficiently thick to indicate
+their course.  At last they reached the spot mentioned by the
+countryman.  He showed them a narrow plank, partly hid by bushes, by
+which they crossed to a green island surrounded by willows, which hung
+over into the stream.
+
+"A grand place for fishing, this," observed Buttar, as he looked into
+the dark, clear water which went whirling by in eddies, and here and
+there formed deep calm pools and little bays, in which they could not
+help feeling sure many a trout lay hid.
+
+"No time to think about it, though," answered Ernest.  "We will come
+here, by all means, another day and try what we can do.  Let us now see
+how we are to get across the river.  Lay the scent thickly, that the
+hounds may not be in fault, or they may lose it altogether and give the
+chase up in despair."
+
+While they were speaking they were following the countryman through the
+reeds and grass, which was already high in that moist situation.  He
+stopped at the base of a fine large willow, which they saw bent very
+much over the water, though the bushes prevented them from seeing how
+far.  There were some notches in its trunk, and up these he climbed.
+They followed him closely, and saw him descend on the opposite bank by
+means of a knotted rope which hung from the end of one of the limbs.
+They were delighted with the plan.
+
+"Capital!" exclaimed Buttar.  "What fun it will be to have all the
+hounds come scrambling over the old trunk, and letting themselves down
+by the rope, one after the other."
+
+The countryman looked at the speaker with a puzzled gaze.  "The owndes!"
+he exclaimed.  "They'll ne'er trouble the rope, I'm thinking."  He
+evidently could not settle it in his mind that his young companions were
+not mad.  Buttar and Ernest laughed heartily at his look of
+astonishment.
+
+"We speak of our schoolfellows, who pretend to be hounds, and we are
+hares leading them on," exclaimed Buttar.  The countryman clapped his
+hands and rubbed them together to express his delight at the notion,
+while he joined in their laughter at his mistake.
+
+"Well, that there be a jolly good game, I do think," he exclaimed.  "I
+loikes it, that I do--No, no--I'll not take your money, young measters.
+I gets a good day's pay for a good day's work, and that's all I asks,
+and all I wishes for."  Ernest, on hearing this sentiment, put out his
+hand and warmly shook that of the countryman.  "I like to hear you say
+that, friend.  It is what all of us should alone desire, and I am sure
+the world would be much happier if everybody in it were like you; but
+good-bye, good-bye; I've no time to talk now.  I should like to fall in
+with you and have a chat another day.  It's a good bit off to Fairway
+Tower, which we must round before we turn homeward."
+
+"You bees a free spoken young genl'man, and I'd lief have a chat we ye,"
+answered the countryman; "my name is John Hodge, and I live in Lowley
+Bottom; ye knows where that is, I'm thinking."
+
+"That I do; very glad.  I'll come and see you, John Hodge; good-bye,
+good-bye;" exclaimed Ernest, as he and Buttar set off at full speed
+across a grassy willow-bounded field towards Fairway Tower, which
+appeared full in sight on the downs above them.  They had thoroughly
+regained their wind during the time they had spent with John Hodge, so
+now they went away once more at full speed.  They had a number of
+broadish ditches to leap, but they easily sprang over them, laughing
+whenever they pictured to themselves any of their followers tumbling in,
+a catastrophe they thought very likely to occur at two or three places,
+where the bank they had to leap to was higher than the one they leaped
+from.
+
+Once more they reached the foot of the downs.  These downs rose on the
+opposite side of the broad stream they had crossed.  Looking along the
+course of the river towards the sea, it appeared as if the silvery
+thread of water had cut the green hills in two parts, and that then they
+had slipped away from it on either side, leaving a broadish expanse
+covered with meadows and copses, and here and there a corn-field, and a
+cottage garden, and a potato-ground, with its small, low,
+straw-thatched, mud cottage.
+
+Up--up the smooth, closely cropped side of the steep hill they climb,
+with just as good a heart as when they started.  Steep as it was, they
+scarcely panted an instant.  Ernest was in capital training; that is to
+say, he was in the condition in which a strong healthy boy ought always
+to be.  So, indeed, was Buttar; for neither of them ever ate a particle
+more of food than they required, they eschewed tarts of all sorts, and
+kept all their limbs and muscles in full exercise.  May English boys
+never cease to practise athletic sports, and more especially systematic
+gymnastics!
+
+The hare and his companion soon reached the top of the downs, and
+turning round, spread out their arms with open palms, and gulped down a
+dozen draughts of the pure fresh breeze, which would now be somewhat
+behind them, though they had hitherto had it chiefly in their faces, an
+important advantage which Ernest had taken into consideration when he
+selected the course for the day.
+
+Note it, all you who may have to do hare.  Get the wind in your face as
+much as possible during your outward course, in cold as well as in hot
+weather, but more especially in hot.  In cold weather, however, it is
+important, as you will, if you have the wind behind you when going, get
+very hot, and you will be apt to get chilled when leisurely returning,
+or be prevented, from fear of it, of sitting down and resting.  Not that
+such an idea of catching cold ever entered into the imagination of the
+two schoolboys.  Along the ridges of the smooth downs they went merrily,
+gazing down into the valley below, and more than once looking round to
+discover if the hounds were following.  Nowhere were they to be seen.
+
+The foot of Fairway Tower was reached at last.  It was the keep of a
+castle of very ancient date, built in the centre of a Roman encampment.
+The walls were of enormous thickness, allowing a staircase to wind up
+within them.
+
+"Let us give them a good view of the sea," cried Ernest.  Up the
+well-worn stone steps they mounted.  Up--up they sprung, laughing
+merrily and cheering loudly when they reached the top.  Few people,
+after a run of nearly fifteen miles, would have liked to have followed
+their example.  The view, Ernest declared, repaid them.  It was
+expansive, and it gave, from its character, a pleasing, exhilarating
+sensation to the heart as it lay at their feet basking in sunshine.  On
+either hand were the smiling undulating downs, dotted here and there
+with flocks of sheep.  Before them the country sloped away for a couple
+of miles till it reached the bright blue dancing ocean, over which
+several white sails were skimming rapidly.  Inland there was a
+beautifully diversified country.  There were several rich woods
+surrounding gentlemen's seats, and here and there a hamlet and a church
+spire rising up among the trees, and some extensive homesteads, the gems
+of an English rural landscape; and there were wide pasture lands, and
+ploughed fields already getting a green tinge from the rising corn, and
+many orchards blushing with pink bloom, and white little cottages, and
+the winding river, and many a silvery stream which ran murmuring into
+it; but I need not go on with the description.  Ernest and Buttar drank
+in its beauties as they did the cool breeze which blew on their cheeks,
+and then they looked round to try and discover the hounds.
+
+"I see them," exclaimed Buttar, after a long scrutinising search.
+"There they are, just coming out of Beechwood; they look no bigger than
+a troop of ants.  Well, we have got a fine start of them--let us give
+them a cheer.  They won't hear us, but they may possibly see us."
+Ernest agreeing to Buttar's proposal, they got to the top of the highest
+pinnacle, and taking off their hats they waved them vehemently above
+their heads, shouting at the same time to their hearts' content at the
+top of their voices, Hurra, hurra, hurra; once more, hurra!  They did
+not expect, however, that the sound could possibly reach their friends,
+so they shouted, it must be owned, for their own satisfaction and
+amusement.  Having shouted and waved their hats till they were tired,
+they agreed that it should be time to commence their homeward way.  They
+accordingly prepared to descend from their lofty perch to the world
+below.  They did not go down by the staircase, but by the rugged
+projections in the wall, where a wide breach existed, made either by the
+hand of time or by Cromwell's cannons in the times of the Cavaliers and
+Roundheads.  They laughed very much as they stuck bits of paper into the
+crevices in the walls, and scattered them on every spot where there was
+a chance of their remaining.  They were not long in reaching the bottom,
+for they were fearless climbers, and made little of dropping down ten
+feet or so to a ledge below them, provided they felt sure that they
+could balance themselves when there, and not go head foremost lower
+still, as careless climbers are apt to do.  After this every step would
+bring them nearer home; but still they endeavoured to make the course as
+interesting as possible.  Having taken a turn round the tower, and
+dropped the scent thickly in their track, off they again set.  Along the
+upper edge of the downs they went at an easy jog-trot, and then when
+compelled at last, with regret, to leave the breezy hills, they took
+their way across a succession of fields where oats, and turnips, and
+mangel wurtzel were wont to grow, till they descended into the richer
+pasture and wheat-producing lands.  Still they had many a stream and
+deep ditch to leap.
+
+"How do you feel, old fellow?" said Ernest, after they had made good
+play for a couple of miles or more without stopping.
+
+"As fresh as one of the daisies we are treading on," answered Buttar.
+"Do you know, Bracebridge, I never like treading on wild flowers; it
+seems such wanton destruction of some of the most beautiful works of
+nature.  I feel all the time as a donkey who has got into a flower-bed
+ought to feel,--that I am a very mischievous animal.  I would always
+rather go out of my way than injure them, especially such graceful gems
+as the wood anemone, or the wild hyacinth, or the wood sorrel, or
+primroses and cowslips.  I feel that I could not restore one of the
+hundreds my careless feet have injured, even if my life depended on it."
+
+"The same sort of idea has crossed my mind, I own," replied Ernest; "but
+then I bethought me, that they have been given in such rich profusion
+that, although hundreds or thousands may fall victims to our careless
+steps, as you remark, thousands and tens of thousands remain to show the
+glory of God's works, and that year after year they come back to us as
+plentiful and lovely as ever.  But I say, old fellow, it won't do to
+stop and philosophise.  We are hares for the nonce, remember, and the
+hounds are in hot chase after us.  By the by, _apropos_ to the subject,
+I remember reading a capital Irish story of Lover's, which made me laugh
+very much.  For some reason or other, a fox walks into the cottage of a
+keeper, who is absent, and sits down on a chair before the fire, putting
+his feet on the fender, and taking up a newspaper, resolved to make
+himself comfortable.  `A newspaper?' exclaimed the Irishman to whom the
+story is being narrated.  `What did he want with that?'  `Faith! how
+else could he tell where the hounds were going to meet in the morning?'
+is the answer."
+
+Buttar laughed heartily at Ernest's anecdote.
+
+"Do you know that I cannot help feeling sometimes, as I am running
+along, as if I were really and truly a two-legged hare," observed the
+latter.
+
+"Well, so do I," replied Buttar.  "And when I have been doing a hound, I
+have so completely fancied myself one, as I have been scrambling through
+hedges and ditches, that I have felt more inclined to bark than to
+speak, and should certainly have claimed fellowship with a harrier had I
+encountered one."
+
+"However that may be, as I do not feel inclined to sup on grass or raw
+cabbage, and should much rather prefer a good round of beef and some
+bread and cheese, let us now take the shortest cut home," observed
+Ernest, who was getting hungry.
+
+"Agreed! agreed!" cried Buttar.  "I don't think, though, that the hounds
+can be far behind us.  It's my belief, when they come in, that they'll
+all declare they never have had such a day's run since they came to
+school."
+
+The huntsman, and whipper-in, and hounds were left on the ledge of rock,
+looking out for a way by which to reach the bottom of the cliff.  At
+last Tom Bouldon espied a bit of paper sticking in a crevice above where
+they were standing.  He climbed up to it and seeing another, and
+another, clearly defined the path the hare had taken.
+
+"Tally ho! tally ho!" he shouted.
+
+"Tally ho! tally ho!" cried the huntsman, and sounded his horn.
+
+In an instant, like shipwrecked sailors escaping from a wreck, all the
+boys were scrambling along the face of the cliff.  Then they began to
+drop down, one after the other, fearless of broken limbs, and very soon
+they were assembled in the valley below.  Once more they burst away in
+full cry.  Across many a marsh they had to wade, and over many a stream
+to jump, into which more than one tumbled, and had to be hauled out by
+the rest.  Indeed, had not Tom kept them up to their work, several of
+the hounds would have given up and turned back.  Then Lemon cheered them
+on with his horn, and waved before them his flag, and, shouting
+together, they surmounted all difficulties, and seldom for more than a
+minute at a time lost the scent, till they came to the passage of the
+river.  Here for a few minutes they were fairly puzzled.  They got into
+the island, but how to get out again they could not tell.  Round and
+round it they ran, till the scent was discovered by Lemon on the stem of
+the old willow.
+
+"Tally ho! tally ho!" he shouted, springing along the leaning stem, and
+disappearing among the branches.
+
+Tom whipped in the hounds, wondering what had become of their leader,
+till he was seen on the grass on the opposite bank, having come down,
+not having discovered the rope, rather more rapidly than he intended.
+Some had already descended in the same rapid way, coming down on
+all-fours, or with all-fours upwards, and there lay on the soft grass,
+kicking and sprawling in delightful confusion, before the rope was
+discovered.  The rest got down by the rope, followed by the whipper-in,
+and then they all picked themselves up, and set off at full speed after
+the hare.  I need not follow them.  Continually this indefatigable
+whipper-in had to keep them up to their work, and very often had to help
+out those who had tumbled into ditches and trenches, or stuck fast in
+hedges.
+
+"Well, I do declare we never have had such a run since I came to
+school," cried Tom, enthusiastically.  "Bracebridge deserves a cup, that
+he does."
+
+The sentiment was echoed by all hands, from Lemon downwards.
+
+"Now, let us see if we can catch him before he reaches home."
+
+Vain was the notion.  The active hares kept well ahead of them, and when
+they reached the school, not a little tired, and as hungry as hounds
+should be, were found, seated at table, in clean dry garments, and
+enjoying a hearty supper.  The two hares were speedily joined by
+huntsman, whipper-in, and hounds; and the Doctor and two or three of the
+bigger boys came in to superintend the feast, and to hear them "fight
+their battles o'er again."  The hares said very little of their
+exploits; but it is surprising what wonderful accounts some of the
+hounds gave of what they had done, what hair-breadth escapes they had
+had, what hills they had climbed, what streams and ditches they had
+leaped.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+ERNEST'S NEW FRIEND.
+
+After the Easter holidays, several new boys came.  One of them was
+called Edward Ellis.  He had a remarkably quiet and subdued manner.  The
+general remark was, that he looked as if he was cowed.  He was certainly
+out of spirits.  He spoke very little, avoided making friends, or, at
+all events, confidants, and seldom entered into any of our games.  He
+seemed prepared to suffer any amount of bullying, even from little
+fellows, and if he was struck, he never struck again.  He had been at
+school before, but he never said where.  Probably, however, he had been
+there for some time, for he was already fourteen, though not big or
+strong for his age.  With such a disposition and habits as I have
+described, of course he could not be a favourite with any one; at the
+same time, it could not be said that he was positively disliked.
+Ernest, seeing how solitary and melancholy he appeared, compassionated
+the poor fellow, and never lost an opportunity of speaking kindly to
+him.  This conduct had its due effect, and Ellis took pains to show his
+gratitude.
+
+Ernest had no little difficulty in defending his new friend, both from
+attacks made with the fists and those levelled with that still sharper
+weapon, the tongue.  Ellis was much exposed to the latter, especially on
+account of his ungainly appearance and uncouth manners.  Of course
+Blackall took especial delight in bullying him, as there was no fear of
+a retort, by word, look, or deed.  This conduct especially excited
+Ernest's indignation, and he resolved to defend Ellis, at every personal
+risk, from the attacks of the bully.
+
+"Oh, I have always been an unfortunate, unhappy fellow!" exclaimed poor
+Ellis one day, in the bitterness of his spirit, after he had been more
+than usually bullied.  "Unfortunate I have been, and unfortunate I
+expect to be to the end of my days!"
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" answered Ernest.  "It is positively wrong to give way to
+such feelings.  Just rouse yourself, and come and play like other
+fellows, and practise your limbs, and run and leap, and you'll soon get
+on as well as anybody else.  Put yourself under the drill-sergeant and
+gymnastic master, and learn to dance, and you'll do as well as anybody."
+
+"Me dance!" cried Ellis, with a doleful expression.  "Tell me,
+Bracebridge, did you ever see a bear attempt to practise the
+Terpsichorean art.  I should be very like the monster if I were to try
+it.  But it is not that--there is something I cannot tell you about
+which makes me so unhappy, that I never expect to get over it.  Nobody
+here knows anything about it, but some day they may, and then I shall be
+worse off than I am now."
+
+"Well, I don't want you to tell me," replied Ernest, for he had an
+innate dislike to petty confidences.  "But, I repeat, come and join us
+in our games.  Just practise cricket, for instance, every day for a
+month or so, with single wickets, and you'll be able to join in our
+matches, and play as well as any one, I dare say."
+
+"Oh, no!  I've no hopes of myself.  I'm sure I shall never play
+cricket," said Ellis, shaking his head.
+
+"We'll see about that," observed Ernest, laughing at his friend's
+lugubrious expression of countenance.  "But I'll tell you what you can
+do; you can play a game of rounders.  It is not often that I play now,
+but I will get up a game for your sake."
+
+Ellis was easily persuaded to accept Ernest's offer.  They went out into
+the playground, and the latter was not long in finding plenty of players
+ready to join the game.  Everybody was very much surprised when they saw
+Ernest select Ellis on his side.
+
+"Why, Bracebridge, you'll never do with that fellow; he'll be out
+directly," cried several boys.
+
+"Never mind; he'll play better than you suppose in a little time," was
+the answer.  "Everybody must make a beginning."
+
+Five of a side were chosen, and the ground was marked out.  Five sticks
+were run into the earth, about sixteen yards apart, the lines between
+them forming the sides of a pentagon, with one stick in the centre.  The
+centre was the place for the feeder.
+
+"Those are what we call bases," said Ernest to Ellis, pointing out the
+spots where the sticks were placed.  Then he drew a circle round one of
+them, which he pointed out as the "home."
+
+Buttar, Bouldon, Dawson, and other fellows of the same age, were
+playing.  Bouldon was on one side, Ernest on the other.  The latter
+selected Buttar, and the former Dawson.  They tossed up who was to go in
+first; Ernest won.  He went in first; Tom had to feed him.  Dawson kept
+a sharp look-out behind him, as did the other three players in different
+parts of the field.  There is more science in the game than many people
+are aware of, though not, of course, to be compared to cricket, any more
+than the short bat which is used is to a cricket-bat.
+
+"Now, Bouldon, give me a fair ball, you sly fox," cried Ernest, for Tom
+was notorious for his tricks and dodges of every sort.  If a good hoax
+was played on the school, or on any individual, its authorship was
+generally traced to him.  To do him credit, they were never ill-natured.
+He generally, when found out, bore his blushing honours meekly, and if
+not discovered, contented himself by laughing quietly in his sleeve.
+
+"All fair and above board," cried Tom, bowling.  "Look out!"
+
+Ernest hit the ball a fine blow, and sent it flying away over the heads
+of all the out-players.  Away he ran from base to base.  He had already
+reached the third from the home--two distances more only had to be run--
+when Reynolds, a boy who could heave as far as any one in the school,
+got hold of the ball.  One more run he thought he could attempt, for
+Reynolds could scarcely hit him at that distance.  Reynolds, seizing the
+ball, rushed on with it.  Ernest reached the fourth base.  He wished to
+make Reynolds heave it; he pretended to spring forward; Reynolds threw
+the ball; Ernest watched its course, and as it bounded by him, he
+changed his feint into a reality, and reached the home.  The next time
+he hit the ball still harder, and ran the whole round of the bases.
+
+"Now, Ellis, you may have to go in before long," he sang out.  "Don't
+attempt a rounder, though.  Get to the first or second base easily; that
+will do.  Come, feed away, Tommy."
+
+Bouldon fed him, and though he sent the ball to a good distance, he only
+reached the fourth base.  When he got there, he called out to Ellis to
+go in.  Ellis seized the bat with a convulsive clutch, as if he was
+about to fight a battle with it, or was going to perform some wonderful
+undertaking.  Even Ernest could scarcely help laughing at the curious
+contortions of countenance in which he indulged.  However, remembering
+Ernest's advice, he kept his eye on the ball, and hit it so fairly, and
+with such good force, that he sent it flying away to a considerable
+distance.
+
+"Capital!" cried Ernest, clapping his hands at the success of his pupil.
+"Run! run!--two bases at least."
+
+Ellis did the distance with ease, and Ernest sprang into the home.
+
+"Now look out, old fellow, to run right in, or, at all events, to the
+fourth base," he sang out to Ellis, whose spirits rose at his success;
+and he looked as eager as any one, and ready for anything.  Tom tossed
+the ball to Ernest in a way somewhat difficult to hit, and when he
+struck it, he was nearly caught out.  He, however, ran over a couple of
+bases, and Ellis stopped short at the fourth.  This brought in a new
+player at the home.  He sent the ball but a short way, and Ellis was
+very nearly struck out.  The ball grazed him, but he was well in the
+home.  Had he been struck out, he very likely would never have played
+well again.  Tom now fed him.  He hit the ball, and with all his might,
+and sent it as far as Ernest or Bouldon had ever done.
+
+"Capital! well done, Ellis!" shouted many of the fellows, both players
+and lookers-on; and away he ran, and performed a whole circle.
+
+Ernest determined to play his best, so as to keep Ellis in as long as
+possible.  He was sure, from what he saw, that his success would give
+him encouragement, not only to play other games, but to mix more
+sociably with his schoolfellows.  Ernest played capitally, but Ellis
+scored almost as many, to the surprise of those who fancied that he
+could not play at all.  Few would have believed that he was the same
+awkward, shy boy, who was usually creeping about the play-ground, as
+they saw him, with a high colour and full of animation, hitting ball
+after ball with all his might, and cutting away round the bases.  At
+last, one of their side was caught out, and Buttar went in.  He was a
+good player, and added considerably to the numbers scored by his side.
+Still, as both Dawson and Bouldon were capital players, and so were most
+of their side, Ernest did his utmost to get as many runs as possible, at
+the same time that he wanted to make Ellis feel that he had himself
+contributed largely to the victory.  Every time Ellis made a good hit,
+he praised him loudly, and certainly felt more pleasure than if he had
+done well himself.  Poor Ellis had never been so happy since he was a
+child.  He began to feel that, after all, he need not fancy himself less
+capable than his companions to enter into the usual sports of the
+school.  At last, Buttar was struck out, and so was another player, and
+Ernest and Ellis alone were kept in.  The latter could scarcely believe
+his senses, when he found himself the only person to help Ernest to keep
+up the game.  Ernest was in the home; Ellis was on the base at the
+opposite side.  He knew that he must run hard, or he would put Ernest
+out as well as himself.
+
+"Now, Tom, two fair hits for the rounder," exclaimed Ernest.
+
+The proposal was agreed to.  Bouldon kept tossing the ball several
+times, but Ernest refused to hit.  At last he hit, but did not run, and
+Ellis very nearly got out by attempting to do so.  The next time he hit,
+and hit hard indeed.  Away flew the ball further than ever, to the very
+end of the field.
+
+"Now, Ellis, run! run!" he sang out.
+
+Ellis moved his legs faster than he had ever before done, and shouted
+and shrieked with delight when Ernest made the round in safety.  Thus
+the game continued.  Ellis appeared to have a charmed existence as far
+as the game was concerned.  Nothing could put him out.  More than once
+his balls seemed to slip through the very fingers of those about to
+catch them.
+
+"I say, Bracebridge, are you going to be out or not, this evening?"
+exclaimed Tom, getting positively tired of feeding.
+
+"Not if Ellis and I can help it," was the answer.  "We've taken a fancy
+to have a long innings, do you see?"
+
+So it seemed, in truth; and the tea-bell positively rang while they were
+still in.  By the custom of our school, a game of that minor description
+was then considered over; and the two new friends went into the tea-room
+together in a very triumphant state of mind.
+
+"I told you, Ellis, you could do whatever you tried, just as well as
+other fellows," said Ernest, as he sat by him at tea.  "Now I must show
+you how to play cricket, and hockey, and football, and fives, and all
+sorts of games.  To-morrow we'll have a little quiet practice at cricket
+with single wicket, and I'll wager by the summer that you'll be able to
+play in a match with any fellows of our size."
+
+Ellis thanked Ernest most warmly.  He felt a new spirit rising in him--
+powers he had never dreamed of possessing coming out.  He might yet
+stand on equal terms with his companions at school and with his
+fellow-men in the world.
+
+"As I told you before, old fellow, what you want is a course of
+drilling.  Our old sergeant will set you up and make you look like a
+soldier in a very few months.  Just go and talk to the Doctor about it.
+He'll be glad to find you wish to learn.  You'll like old Sergeant
+Dibble amazingly.  It's worth learning for the sake of hearing him tell
+his long stories about his campaigning days--what his regiment did in
+the Peninsular, and how they drove all Napoleon's generals out of Spain
+and Portugal."
+
+Ernest grew quite enthusiastic when speaking about Sergeant Dibble, with
+whom he was a great favourite.  He succeeded in inspiring Ellis with a
+strong desire to learn drilling.
+
+"Who knows but what after all I may one day be considered fit to go into
+the army!" exclaimed Ellis, after listening to a somewhat long oration
+in praise of Sergeant Dibble.
+
+"I wish you would go into it," said Ernest.  "I believe that I am to be
+a soldier, but my father will never tell any of us what professions he
+intends us for.  He tells us we must get as much knowledge as we can
+obtain, and that we must perfect ourselves in all physical exercises,
+and then that we shall be fit to be bishops, or generals, or lord
+chancellors, or admirals, or aldermen, or whatever may be our lot in
+life.  Of course, he is right.  My elder brother came out Senior
+Wrangler at Cambridge, and pulls one of the best oars and plays cricket
+as well as any man in the University.  If I can do as well as he has
+done I shall be content.  He is now going to study the law, and then to
+look after the family property.  I have to make my own way in the world
+somehow or other."
+
+"Well, so have I to make my own way," observed Ellis.  "I don't fancy
+that I shall ever have any property coming to me, and I thought that I
+should never get on, but always have to stick at the bottom of the tree;
+but do you know, that from what you have said to me, I begin to hope
+that I may be able to climb like others, if not to the top, at least to
+a comfortable seat among the branches?"
+
+"Bravo! capital! that you will!" cried Ernest, who was delighted to find
+the effect his lessons were producing.  He was not himself aware of the
+benefits he was reaping from having some one to watch over and assist.
+Ernest was undoubtedly very clever, but he was very far from perfect.
+He could not help feeling that he was superior to most--indeed, to all
+the boys of his own age at school.  This did not make him vain or
+conceited in any objectionable way, but he was somewhat egotistical.  He
+thought a good deal about himself--what people would say of him, what
+they would think of him.  He was perhaps rather ambitious of shining
+simply for the sake of shining--a very insufficient reason, all must
+agree, if they will but consider how very very pale a light the
+brightest genius can shed forth when his knowledge comes to be measured
+with that which is required to comprehend a tenth part of the glories
+which the universe contains.
+
+The half drew on.  Blackall did not relax in his tyranny over the
+younger boys, though more than once it brought him into trouble.  At
+last the Doctor heard of his bullying, and he was confined within bounds
+for a month, and had no end of impositions to get up.  He promised
+amendment; but the punishment did not cure him, and in a short time he
+was as bad as ever.  He began, as usual, upon those less likely to
+complain, and Ellis was one of his first victims.  He seemed to take a
+peculiar delight in making the poor fellow's existence miserable, and
+every day he found some fresh means of torture.  Ernest saw this going
+on day after day, and at last felt that he could stand it no longer.  "I
+must get Ellis to stick up to him, or I must do so alone," he exclaimed
+to himself.
+
+Although Ellis fancied that he could not play at games, he was very
+ingenious, and could make all sorts of things--little carriages of
+cardboard, with woodwork, and traces and harness complete, which he
+painted and varnished; and boats and vessels, which he cut out of soft
+American pine, and scooped out and put decks into them, and cut out
+their sails, and rigged them with neat blocks.  Sometimes the blocks had
+sheaves in them, and the sails were made to hoist up and down, and his
+yachts sailed remarkably well and could beat any of those opposed to
+them.  Then he made little theatres capitally, and painted the scenes
+and cut out the characters, and stuck tinsel on to them; and if not as
+good as a real play, they afforded a vast amount of amusement.  These
+talents, however, were not discovered for some time.
+
+We did not disdain to fly kites at our school, but they were very large,
+handsome kites, and we used to vie with each other in trying which could
+get the largest and strongest and most finely ornamented, and make them
+fly the highest.
+
+Our French master, Monsieur Malin, was a great hand at kite-flying.  He
+did not like cricket, or football, or hockey, or any game in which he
+might get hurt, because, as he used to say, "Vat you call my sins are
+not manufactured of iron.  You _petits garcons_ don't mind all sorts of
+knocks about, but for one poor old man like me it is not good."  Had he
+been an Englishman, we might have despised him for not playing cricket
+or football, but we thought it was only natural in a Frenchman.  As he
+played rounders, and prisoners' base, and hoops, and every game of
+skill, in capital style, and was very good-natured and ready to do
+anything anybody asked him, which he had it in his power to do, he was
+deservedly a very general favourite.  It was great fun to hear him sing
+out, "Chivie! chivie! chivie!" when playing at prisoners base, and to
+see his legs with short steps moving along twice as fast as anybody
+else.
+
+The weather was getting rather too hot for most of our running games
+which we played in the spring and autumn--with the exception, of course,
+of cricket, the most delightful of all summer amusements--when Monsieur
+Malin proposed a grand kite-flying match.  Two different objects were to
+be tried for.  There were two equal first prizes.  One was to be won by
+the kite which rose the highest, or rather, took out the longest line;
+the other prize was to be given to the owner of the kite which could
+pull the heaviest weights the fastest.  Two other prizes were to be
+bestowed, one on the handsomest kite, and the other to the most
+grotesque, provided they were not inferior in other qualities.
+
+For two or three weeks before, preparations were being made for the
+match, and every day parties were seen going out to the neighbouring
+heath to try the qualities of the kites they had manufactured.  Clubs
+were formed which had one or two kites between them, for the expense of
+the string alone was considerable.  It was necessary to have the
+lightest and strongest line to be procured, which would also run easily
+off the reel.
+
+Monsieur Malin was working away at his kite in his room, and he said
+that he would allow no one to see it till it was completed.  Many of the
+bigger fellows condescended to take an interest in the matter, as did
+Lemon and Ernest and others, and even Blackall gave out that he intended
+to try the fortune of his kite.  He stated that he should not bother
+himself by making one, but that he had written to London to have the
+largest and best ever made sent down to him.  Many of the fellows, when
+they heard this, said that they thought there would be very little use
+in trying to compete with him.  Dawson especially remarked that he
+should give up.  "Blackall has everything of the best, you know, always
+in tip-top style," he remarked; "and you see, if he gets a regular-made
+kite from a first-rate London maker, what chance can any of us possibly
+have?"  Blackall himself seemed to be of the same opinion, and boasted
+considerably of the wonders his kite was going to perform.  Monsieur
+Malin smiled when he heard him boasting; Ernest said nothing, but looked
+as if he thought that he might be mistaken; while Buttar laughed and
+observed that Bully Blackall seemed to think that a large amount of
+credit was to be gained by buying a good kite.  He might congratulate
+himself still more if he could buy at as cheap a rate a good temper and
+a good disposition.
+
+Ernest, meantime, going on the principle he had adopted of doing his
+utmost to encourage Ellis, proposed to join him in the share of a kite.
+Ellis said that he should be very glad, and that he would undertake to
+make it himself.
+
+"What! can you make kites?" exclaimed Ernest.  "I never dreamed of
+that."
+
+"Oh, I have made all sorts of kites, and know how to fly them well,"
+answered Ellis.  "I have the materials for one in my box now.  I did not
+like to produce them, because the other boys would only laugh at me for
+proposing to fly a kite.  I have ample line, though we may add another
+ball or two.  All I want are two thin but strong laths, nine and eight
+feet long."
+
+"What! are you going to make the kite nine feet high!" exclaimed Ernest.
+"That will be big, indeed."
+
+"Yes; nine feet high, and eight from wing to wing," said Ellis.
+
+"Why, what a whacking big fellow it will be!" exclaimed Ernest.  "And I
+say, what a lot of paper it will take to make it!"
+
+"Not a particle," answered Ellis.  "It is all made of silk, which is
+lighter and stronger than any other material.  Come with me to the
+carpenter's and get the laths, and we'll have it made by the evening, so
+as to fly it, if there is a breeze, to-morrow."
+
+"I'll go with pleasure to the carpenter's; but if you are pretty certain
+that your kite will do well, do not let us fly it till the day of trial.
+It will astonish every one so much to see you come out with a great big
+kite, which, I doubt not, will beat all the others."
+
+"Oh, no!  I'm afraid that it won't do that.  It will scarcely be equal
+to Monsieur Malin's, and probably Blackall will get something very grand
+down from London," answered Ellis, always diffident about anything
+connected with himself.
+
+"We'll see," said Ernest quietly.  "And now, as we have so grand a kite,
+let us go and see old Hobson about the carriage which we must make it
+drag.  Any shape and any plan is allowable, remember, provided it can
+carry two.  Now I have a design in my head which I think will answer
+capitally.  You see old gentlemen and ladies steering themselves, with a
+person pushing behind, in an arm-chair.  I propose having a sort of a
+skeleton of a chair, with two big wheels and one small one in front,
+with a very long front part,--one seat behind for the person who manages
+the kite, and one in front for the steerer.  There must be a bar in
+front with a block to it, through which the line must pass, and then I
+would have a light pole with a hook at one end, while the butt-end
+should be secured to the centre of the carriage.  Suppose you were to
+sit in front and steer; I would sit behind and have a reel to haul in or
+let out the line, and with the pole and hook I could bring the kite on
+one side of the carriage or the other, as might be required to assist
+you to guide it.  It is my opinion that we can make the carriage go on a
+wind, as yachtsmen say.  That is to say, if the wind is from the north
+or south, we may make the carriage go east or west.  Now, if other
+fellows have not thought of that, and the wind should change a few
+points, we may be able to go on in our proper course while they may be
+obliged to stop, and so we shall win the prize."
+
+"Capital!" repeated Ellis, clapping his hands and hugging himself in his
+delight in a peculiarly grotesque way which always made his friend
+smile, though he determined some day quietly to tell him of the habit,
+and to advise him to get over it.  "Capital!" repeated Ellis.  "I've
+heard of something of the sort in Canada, where, on the lakes and
+rivers, what are called ice-boats are used.  They are, however, placed
+on great skates or iron runners, and have sails just like any other
+boats, only the sails are stretched quite flat, like boards.  They have
+a long pole out astern with an iron at the end of it, which cuts into
+the ice and serves as a rudder.  They sail very fast, and go, I
+understand, close on a wind."
+
+"What fun to sail in them!" cried Ernest.  "I've often thought I should
+like to go to Canada, and that would be another reason.  But, I say,
+Ellis, I fancy from the way you talk you know something about yachting.
+I'm very fond of it; you and I will have some sailing together one of
+these days."
+
+Ellis said that he had frequently yachted with some of his relations,
+and that he should be delighted to take a cruise with Ernest when they
+could afford to have a boat.  They talked away till they got to the shop
+of old Hobson the carpenter.  He was a clever workman, with a natural
+mechanical turn, so he comprehended the sort of carriage they wanted,
+and willingly undertook to make it.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+OUR KITE-RACE.
+
+Towards the end of April, the rising sun ushered in a fine breezy
+morning, with every promise of a strong wind during the day.  It was a
+half-holiday; but on grand occasions of the sort--for it was the day
+fixed for the kite-race--the boys were allowed to get up and begin
+lessons an hour earlier than usual.  The Doctor always encouraged early
+rising, and he was, besides, anxious to show us that he took an interest
+in our amusements, by making such regulations as might facilitate them.
+
+Ernest and Ellis had constantly been to old Hobson's to see how their
+carriage was getting on.  "Never you mind, young gen'men, it's all
+right," was his answer for some days.  "I won't disappoint you; but you
+see several has come here who wants such fine painted affairs, that I
+must get on with them.  There's Mr Blackall, now, who has been and
+ordered a carriage which I tells him will take six horses to drag; but
+he says that he has got a kite coming which will pull one along ten
+miles an hour, twice as big as this, so of course I've nothing more to
+say."
+
+A large flat case arrived in the morning of the race day for Blackall,
+just as we were going in to lessons after breakfast; so he had no time
+to open it.  It was not as large as he expected, but still he was very
+confident that all was right.
+
+Lessons over, we went in to dinner--and that meal got through, with more
+speed than usual, we all assembled to see the kites and the carriages
+which had been prepared.
+
+The carpenters were in attendance with the vehicles they had got ready
+according to orders received.  They were of all shapes and plans.
+Several, among whom was Blackall's, were very finely painted, but the
+greater number were mere boxes on wheels, put together at very little
+expense--which few boys were able to afford, even when clubbing
+together.
+
+First appeared Monsieur Malin's kite; it represented a wonderful Green
+Dragon, twisting and turning about in the most extraordinary way--the
+tail of the kite being merely the small end of the tail of the dragon.
+It had great big red eyes, glowing with tinsel, and wings glittering all
+over, and a tongue which looked capable of doing a large amount of
+mischief.  Loud shouts of applause welcomed the green dragon, as
+Monsieur Malin held it up like a shield before him, and moved about the
+playground, hissing, and howling, and making all sorts of dreadful
+noises.
+
+Tommy Bouldon had joined a club, which produced a magnificent Owl, with
+a large head, and huge goggling eyes; and never did owl hiss more loudly
+than did their owl as it met Monsieur Malin's terrific dragon.  They at
+last rushed at each other with such fury, that Tommy's head very nearly
+went through the owl's body, which would effectually have prevented it
+from flying at the match.
+
+Lemon and Buttar had fraternised, and in front of them marched a
+Military Officer, magnificent in a red coat, vast gold epaulets, and no
+end of gold braiding and trimming, which glittered finely in the sun,
+while his richly ornamented cocked hat, set across his head, had on the
+top of it a waving plume of feathers, and a drawn sword in his hand
+shone in the sunbeams.  He looked very fiercely at the dragon and the
+owl, as he did at everybody, for his eyes were large, and round, and
+dark.
+
+The Dragon roared, and the Owl hissed at him, when he growled out, "I'll
+eat you," which produced loud shouts of laughter from both of them,
+while they quietly replied, "You can't."
+
+After the General had shown himself, Ellis walked in, bearing a long
+thin pole, wrapped round, it appeared, by a flag.  Ernest accompanied
+him, carrying a reel of fine but very strong twine.  Some boys stared,
+and others laughed derisively, and asked if he thought that thing was
+going to fly.  "You'll see--you'll see," he answered very quietly.
+
+"Fly!--Dat it will--higher dan any of ours, I tell you, boys," observed
+Monsieur Malin, who had eyed it attentively.
+
+Ernest and Ellis marched across the playground, into the field beyond,
+out of sight, and in less than two minutes returned, bearing aloft a
+magnificent Knight in silver armour, with a glittering shield on his
+arm, a plume on his helmet, and a spear in his hand.  His visor was up,
+and his countenance, with a fine black beard and moustache, looked forth
+fiercely beneath it, while a band of roses, which was thrown over his
+shoulder, hung down and formed a very magnificent tail, glittering with
+jewels.  No sooner did the gallant knight make his appearance than the
+derisive laughter and sneers were changed into shouts of applause.  All
+were agreed that never had a more beautiful kite appeared.
+
+"All very well," cried Dawson, who was expecting Blackall's kite to come
+forth, "but it is a question with me whether such a gimcrack-looking
+affair will fly."
+
+Blackall had meantime been busily employed in unpacking his kite, which
+was to create so much astonishment, and do such mighty things.  He undid
+the strings and brown paper, and laths, which surrounded it, with eager
+haste.  A number of boys were looking on, all curious to see what was to
+be produced.  Dawson was among the most sanguine, expecting that
+something very fine was to appear.  At last Blackall was seen to scratch
+his head, and to look somewhat annoyed.
+
+"Come, come, Blackall," exclaimed Sandford, one of the biggest fellows,
+and certainly no friend of his; "let us see this precious kite of yours.
+Out with it, man."
+
+"Mind your own business, Sandford," answered the bully, sulkily.  "I'll
+show the kite when I feel inclined."
+
+"Ho, ho, ho!" replied Sandford, laughing; and knowing perfectly well
+that Blackall dared not retaliate, stooping down, he lifted the kite,
+and held it up to the view of the whole school.  There was a picture of
+a big ugly boy daubed in the commonest ochre, and bearing evident marks
+of its toy-shop origin, though Tommy Bouldon and others declared that
+they recognised in it a strong likeness to Blackall himself.  Blackall
+seemed to think that some trick had been played him, though it was very
+clear that the likeness was accidental.
+
+"It's pretty plain who's got the ugliest and most stupid looking kite,"
+said Buttar, as he passed by.  "Very like himself.  I wonder if it will
+fly."
+
+"Yes, if it can find a small kite up in the sky to thrash," observed
+Bouldon.  "But, I say, let us give three cheers for Blackall's toy-shop
+kite.  I wonder if he will take it as a compliment."
+
+A boisterous, if not a hearty, cheer was quickly raised, which barely
+served to cover a chorus of hisses and groans uttered by a number of
+little fellows, who had been in the habit of receiving gratuitous kicks
+and cuffs from their amicable companion.
+
+There were several ordinary kites, remarkable chiefly for their size,
+being made of newspapers; but there were others contributing an
+ingenious variety of devices--bats, and frogs, and fish of curious
+shapes.  The flying-fish especially looked very natural as they
+glittered in the sunbeams, only people could not help inquiring how they
+came to be up so high in the air.
+
+At last all were ready to set forth; some pushed the carriages, and
+others carried the kites.  Ernest and Ellis rolled up theirs, and
+carried it along very easily.  The Doctor led the way, accompanied by
+two or three of the biggest fellows; but he would every now and then
+stop, and call up some of the smaller ones to have a talk with them.
+
+The ground chosen for the trial of the kites was a high, downy
+table-land, with a fine flat surface.  It was a very pretty sight to see
+all the boys, with their carriages and gaily-coloured kites, assembled
+together.  There were nearly fifty kites, for many brought small kites,
+with which they had no intention to contend for a prize.  All the
+masters, and several friends of the Doctor's and some of the boys,
+attended to act as umpires.  At last everything was arranged.
+
+The kite-flyers formed one long line, with the wind in their backs.  The
+first point to be decided was the beauty of the kites.  Lemon had his
+horn, which was to be used as a signal.  He blew three shrill blasts.
+At the sound of the third, up they all flew, some starting rapidly
+upwards; others wavering about before ascending; a few refusing to mount
+altogether beyond a few yards off the ground.  However, the greater
+number mounted rapidly, their brilliant colours flashing in the
+sunbeams.  The spectators clapped their hands loudly, as a mark of their
+approbation, and then set to work to make notes, that they might decide
+when called on to declare on whom the prizes ought to be bestowed.
+
+Monsieur Malin's Green Dragon came in for a large share of praise, so
+did the General Officer; but Ellis's Knight of the Silver Shield was
+decided to be the most elegant and beautiful of all the kites, and the
+owner was called forth to receive his meed of applause.
+
+Many were surprised when they saw Ellis, with his awkward gait,
+shuffling out from among the crowd; and, more especially, when he
+announced himself, in a hesitating tone, not only as the maker, but as
+the designer of the Knight of the Silver Shield.
+
+One kite went up some way, just sufficient to exhibit its ugliness, but
+wavered and rolled about in the most extraordinary manner, evidently
+showing that it was lop-sided.  It received shouts, but they were not of
+applause, and they were accompanied by hisses, which the Doctor,
+however, repressed.  The kite received in this unflattering way was
+Blackall's boasted toy-shop production.  He was highly indignant, and
+walked about stamping with rage.
+
+Buttar and Bouldon were much amused, and expressed a hope that he would
+expend his fury on his kite, and cut it to pieces.  He drew out his
+knife, evidently with that intention, but he had not the heart to attack
+it.
+
+"I'll tell you what it is, Bobby," said he to Dawson, who was standing
+by not a little disgusted, "it pulls terrifically hard, and in my
+opinion, if it is altered a little, and has a heavier wing put on the
+right side, it will yet do magnificently, and make all those howling
+monkeys change their tone.  That dolt Ellis, and that conceited chap
+Bracebridge, will soon find that their finely-bedizened machine is cut
+out.  My carriage is, I know, such a first-rate one, that it will go
+along with anything."
+
+Dawson was in great hopes that Blackall was right, for he had staked his
+reputation, as he said, on the success of his patron and his imported
+kite, and he had no fancy to find himself laughed at.  In what Master
+Bobby Dawson's reputation consisted he did not stop to inquire, and
+certainly anybody else would have been very puzzled to say.
+
+The rest of the kite-flyers troubled themselves very little about
+Blackall and his ill success.  They were all intent on making their own
+kites perform their best.  After the kites had flown for some time, the
+Doctor advanced from the group of spectators and umpires, and summoned
+Ellis and Monsieur Malin, and, with an appropriate address, bestowed on
+them the two first prizes, complimenting them on their design, and the
+beauty of the execution.
+
+And now the time arrived to try which kites could fly the highest.  All
+were hauled in, and the boys stood as before in a row.  The signal was
+given by Lemon, and up they went, soaring far away into the blue sky.
+This time Ernest had a kite as well as Ellis.  It was a good large kite,
+with remarkably strong string.  The device was that of a man-at-arms,
+with a gleaming battle-axe over his shoulder, or, as Ernest called it,
+the Squire.
+
+"Why, Bracebridge! what do you expect that kite to do, eh?" exclaimed
+Lemon.  "It is too heavy-looking to fly, and not large enough to drag a
+carriage."
+
+"I hope that at all events he will do his duty, and prove a faithful
+Squire," answered Bracebridge.
+
+"I wonder what he means?" said several boys who overheard him.
+
+Away soared the kites; some of them appeared as if they would never come
+down again.  The Green Dragon rose very high, and must have astonished
+the birds and beasts of the field, if it did not the human beings in the
+valley below.  The Silver Knight also played his part well up in the
+skies, so did the General, and many others.  Up, up went the Green
+Dragon, and high soared the Silver Knight; Excelsior was his motto; but
+high as he went, the Green Dragon went higher.
+
+"Hilloa, Bracebridge, you and your friend should have chosen a different
+motto for your knight, for the Green Dragon is beating him, and the old
+Owl is not far behind," exclaimed Lemon, who, while manoeuvring his
+kite, found himself not far from Ernest.
+
+"Stay a bit," answered Ernest, in a good-natured tone; "perhaps our
+knight may yet prove that his motto was not ill-chosen.  We have not yet
+got to the end of our line."
+
+Monsieur Malin kept easing out his line, and his monster went slowly
+upward, but it was evident that the weight of string it had already to
+bear was almost too much for it, and that it would not carry much more.
+It was a brave dragon, however, and in the French master's skilful
+hands, it is extraordinary how high it got up.  At last it was evident
+that it was stationary, and required a great deal of manoeuvring to be
+kept at the height it had attained.
+
+"Now, Bracebridge," cried Ellis, who had worked the Silver Knight up
+almost as high, "let me have your line."
+
+"All right," answered Bracebridge, hauling down his kite till it was
+within thirty feet of the ground.  "Hook on."
+
+On this Ellis brought the end of his line up to Bracebridge, who
+fastened it to the string of the Squire, which immediately shot upward,
+while higher and higher flew the Silver Knight.  He reached the Green
+Dragon, and floated proudly past him.  Up he went, higher and higher,
+till a glittering spot could alone be seen in the blue heavens.  Shouts
+of applause broke from the spectators.
+
+"Now," cried Bracebridge triumphantly, "has not our knight chosen his
+motto with judgment, Excelsior?  See, up he goes higher and higher."
+
+Higher he did go, indeed; and in a short time the glittering spot was
+lost to view.
+
+"We could easily get our Squire out of sight also, if we could find a
+line light enough and strong enough to bear the strain of the two kites
+together, but no string we have got here could bear the strain that
+would be put upon it," observed Ernest to those who came round to
+observe the wonder which had been wrought.
+
+Some declared that it was not fair, and that they had no right to fasten
+the string of one kite to that of another.
+
+"Oh! that's all nonsense, and you fellows know it well," answered
+Ernest.  "The question to be decided is, which kite can reach the
+farthest from the earth, and ours has done so.  Unless another gets
+higher, we shall win the prize."
+
+No other kite got even so high as the Green Dragon, so the Silver Knight
+was most justly declared to be the winner of the prize.
+
+"Froggy Malin's and those fellows' kites may fly high, but they will not
+be able to pull anything along," growled out Blackall.  "Before they
+think that they are going to carry off all the prizes, let us see what
+my kite can do.  He looks like a strong, tough fellow, who can pull hard
+at all events."
+
+Dawson and a few of Blackall's admirers echoed these sentiments, fully
+believing that he did not boast without reason of what he would do.
+
+The carriages were now brought forward from a chalk-pit, where they had
+been concealed, and formed a line in front of the spectators.
+Blackall's was certainly the largest, and not the least gay and gaudy,
+but more than one person smiled at the notion of its being dragged along
+by a single kite.  None of the carriages could boast of much beauty, but
+some were very finely painted, and were admired accordingly.  When
+Ernest brought out his vehicle, it was much laughed at, for it had such
+an odd, spider-like, skeleton look.  Still the knowing ones acknowledged
+that it might have a great deal of go in it.
+
+Most of the line of the kites was now hauled in and wound up.  Ernest
+and Ellis got down the Silver Knight, and fastened some light lines to
+each of his wings, and brought them down to the carriage.  Two or three
+boys stood round each carriage holding it.  At a signal, given by Lemon
+on his horn, to prepare, they all jumped in.  At another, all hands were
+taken off the carriages, and away most of them went at a fair speed.
+One did not move--it was Blackall's.  Who could picture his wrath and
+indignation?  He pulled and pulled at the line; the kite rose somewhat,
+but wavered about terribly: now it darted to one side, now to the other.
+
+"Come along, Blackall, come along," shouted several of the racers, as
+they moved on, and left him trying all sorts of useless experiments to
+make the kite pull and the carriage move.  Neither one nor the other
+could he accomplish.  Shouts of laughter reached his ear, and he was
+conscious that they were caused by his ill success.  This only increased
+his rage and bitterness.  He stamped in his anger and impatience till he
+knocked his feet through the boards which formed the bottom of his
+carriage.  He lost all command over himself.  He hallooed; he shouted at
+his kite; and then he swore great, horrible oaths at the kite, and the
+carriage, and at the wind, till the voice of the Doctor sounded in his
+ear, ordering him sternly to get out of the carriage and drag it out of
+the way.  He sulkily obeyed, and wound up the string of his kite, and
+betook himself to the background, trembling lest the Doctor should have
+overheard his expressions.
+
+"I say, Dawson,--I say, Smith,--do you think the old one heard what I
+said?" he asked, as he was going off, and they stood, not liking to
+desert him altogether, and yet wishing to go on and see the fun.
+
+"I believe you he did, my boy," answered Smith, who had but little of
+the milk of human kindness in his composition.  "You spoke loud enough
+to be heard half-a-mile off."
+
+"But I say, Bobby, do you think so?  Did he hear me?  By Jove, I shall
+get a pretty jobation if he did!" exclaimed the bully, appealing in a
+whining tone to Dawson.
+
+The wretched, cowardly lad forgot that there was another--a great
+Omniscient Being--who, at all events, heard him; and that every evil
+word he had uttered had assuredly been registered in a book whence it
+would never be erased till the Day of Judgment, when it would be made
+known to thousands and tens of thousands of astonished and mourning
+listeners.  But such an idea never crossed Blackall's mind.  Had it,
+perhaps it might have prevented him from uttering the expressions of
+which he so frequently made use.
+
+Fearful only of the immediate disagreeable consequences should the
+Doctor have heard him, he retired by himself from the ground; while
+Dawson, and the few other boys who had hitherto adhered to him, set off
+in pursuit of the racers.
+
+With shouts of laughter the racers went on.  At first the Green Dragon
+took the lead, followed closely by the Owl, for both the carriages were
+very light, and the kites were skilfully managed.  Each of them had a
+second kite attached; for, unless there had been a very strong wind, one
+would scarcely have dragged them on.  Monsieur Malin had selected two
+boys to manage his carriage, and he ran by their side to direct them;
+for his own weight would have been too great for it.  The Knight and
+Squire followed closely on the first two carriages.  They were flying,
+on starting, somewhat too high; but Ernest hauled in the lines, and the
+effect was soon perceptible.  On went their daddy-long-legs, as he and
+Ellis called their car, and soon got up to the Owl.
+
+"To-hoo, to-hoo, to-hoo!" cried the directors of the Owl, but the Knight
+and his Squire pulled away, and the Owl was left astern, and very soon
+the Green Dragon was overtaken.  They, of course, were assailed with the
+most horrible hisses, and roars, and strange noises of all sorts; but
+these did not daunt the Knight and his Squire, who went bravely on.
+
+"Excelsior! excelsior!  Hurra! hurra!" shouted Ernest and Ellis, as
+their car took the lead.  Gradually, but surely, it increased its
+distance from the rest.  Monsieur Malin did his best to manoeuvre his
+kites; so did Lemon and the rest; but they could not manage to overtake
+the Knight and his Squire, though they hissed, and roared, and shouted
+with merry peals of laughter between the intervals, calling them to
+stop, and not go ahead so fast.
+
+"Old Hobson did not deceive us," observed Ellis; "really this carriage
+goes along capitally."
+
+"He has done us justice, certainly," answered Ernest.  "But remember,
+Ellis, our success is entirely owing to your talent and judgment.  You
+think too little of yourself.  Now, hurrah! we shall soon be at the
+winning-post if the wind holds."
+
+Never were there more merry or noisy racers; except, perhaps, in a
+donkey race, when the winner is the donkey which comes in last.
+
+"Very easy to win that sort of race," some one will say.
+
+Not at all, though.
+
+In ordinary races, each jockey wishes the horse he rides to win; but, in
+donkey races,--which I hold to be superior to all others, whether at
+Goodwood, or Ascot, or Epsom,--each jockey rides his opponent's donkey,
+so each is anxious to get in before the other, and, if possible, to
+leave his own behind.
+
+The wind blew fair; the kites drew capitally; the Green Dragon was,
+after all, not very far behind the Knight and Squire; and the Owl came
+too-hooing, close upon the Dragon's tail; while the General Officer
+seemed in a great hurry to catch the Owl, and kept singing out "Halt!
+halt! right-about-face," and other expressions evidently from a somewhat
+scanty vocabulary of military terms.  The rest of the racers came up
+pretty thickly one after the other.
+
+As they reached the winning-post, where one of the masters stood ready
+to mark the time of their arrival, there was a general shout for
+Blackall and his fat boy.
+
+"Oh, he was last seen in the chalk-pit, hacking him to pieces with his
+knife, while he seemed inclined to treat his wonderful carriage much in
+the same way."  A boy who had just come up gave this news.
+
+A few expressions of commiseration were uttered by Dawson and others;
+but in their hearts no one really pitied the bully.  How could they?
+What had he ever done to win the affection, or regard, or esteem of any
+one of his school-fellows?  Certainly, to those with whom he associated
+and whom he patronised, he had ever done far more harm than good; and of
+this most of them were aware at the time, though they might not be
+willing to acknowledge it to themselves; and bitterly were they
+conscious of it before many years were past, when they reaped the fruits
+of his pernicious example.  Several sunk into early and dishonoured
+graves: others lived, ruined in health and constitution, to bemoan the
+fate which their folly and vice had brought on them.  But to return to
+our merry racers.
+
+They were called up forthwith to receive their prizes.  The most
+valuable were some serviceable fishing-rods, reels, lines,
+fishing-baskets, a couple of bows, and the various accoutrements
+required in archery, a good bat or two, and similar things valued by
+boys.
+
+The Doctor made a very neat speech, and complimented them all on the
+skill and talent displayed both in kites and carriages.
+
+"Especially I must compliment you, Bracebridge, on the beauty of your
+kites, and the skill with which you have managed them."
+
+"Not me, sir, but Ellis deserves the praise," answered Ernest in a
+clear, loud voice, so that every one might hear.  "He is a very clever
+fellow, sir, only he does not know it.  He thought of the carriages and
+the kites, and, indeed, of every thing; I merely helped him.  I joined
+him because I knew that by himself he would be too diffident to carry
+out his own plans.  I was his assistant, that was all."
+
+"I am glad to hear you thus speak of Ellis, but you equally deserve the
+prize, although you only aided him in carrying out his plans.  I have,
+therefore, to present you with this bow, and all the equipments
+complete; and you, Ellis, with this fishing-rod, and all the
+accompanying gear."
+
+Ernest, who was perfectly free from timidity, and always expressed
+himself well, made a very appropriate reply; and, at poor Ellis's
+earnest request, spoke for him also, and said a great deal more in his
+favour than he would have done himself.
+
+Monsieur Malin seemed as much pleased at getting a prize as were any of
+the boys.  A capital fishing-rod was presented to him; and he invited
+all who had rods to accompany him some day on a grand fishing
+expedition.  Altogether, the kite-flying was most successful; and a
+stout old gentleman, one of the umpires, expressed a hope that next year
+they might all enjoy a similar treat; and that he was not at all certain
+that he should not try to get half-a-dozen kites and a carriage, with
+which he might join in the race.  Several merry voices shouted "We hope
+you will, sir,--we hope you will."  And that made him so enthusiastic
+that he promised, if he possibly could, to do as he had proposed.
+
+They all went back to a capital, grand half-holiday tea, which was very
+different to the ordinary meal of bread-and-butter; and consisted of
+cakes, and sandwiches, and meat-pies, and sausages, and all sorts of
+substantial productions likely to satisfy the appetites of hungry boys.
+
+The only person who did not enjoy the day was Blackall.  He came back
+expecting every instant to be called up by the Doctor; but bed-time
+came, and he was not summoned.  As he was on his way to his room he met
+Ellis, who was about to pass him without looking at him, or in any way
+taking notice of him.
+
+"What do you mean by grinning at me, you young scamp?" exclaimed
+Blackall suddenly.
+
+"I did not intentionally alter a muscle of my countenance," answered
+Ellis quietly.  "Did you, however, address me?"
+
+"If that's intended for impudence, take that," cried Blackall, dealing a
+heavy blow with his fist on Ellis's head.  "I allow no young jackanapes
+like you to treat me with contempt."
+
+"But if we feel contempt, how do you expect to be treated?" exclaimed a
+brisk, confident voice close at his elbow.
+
+Blackall turned round to see who had dared thus to beard him.  He saw
+Bracebridge standing close to him, in an attitude which showed that he
+was prepared for an attack.
+
+"You want to get it, do you?" exclaimed Blackall, furiously, at finding
+his authority disputed by a boy of Ernest's size.  "You shall have more
+than you expect."
+
+"Now, run off, Ellis; run off," cried Ernest; "I'll tackle this fellow."
+
+Ellis did not run, though Blackall let him go and advanced towards
+Ernest; but Ernest's undaunted bearing completely staggered him.  He
+stood irresolute; while his opponent fixed his eye boldly on him.  He
+feared some trick.  He thought that some big fellow must be behind,
+ready to back up Bracebridge; or that he knew the Doctor was coming.  He
+judged of other people by what he knew himself to be.  He had no
+conception of the existence of the spirit which animated Ernest.
+
+"Well, what are you going to do?" said Ernest, as he stood with clenched
+fist before him.  "If you are going to strike me, do it at once, and get
+it over.  I have no wish to stay here all night, waiting to be attacked
+by you."
+
+While Ernest was speaking, Blackall was considering what he would do.
+At last, seeing no one coming, he plucked up courage, and made a dash at
+Ernest, who, springing aside, adroitly, warded off the blow.
+
+Poor Ellis, meantime, stood by, trembling with agitation.  He knew from
+sad experience that the bully hit very hard; and every blow he saw aimed
+at his friend he felt as if it had hurt him ten times as much as if it
+had been struck at himself.
+
+They were in one of the many passages leading to the bedrooms, through
+which neither the masters nor servants often passed, so that Blackall
+knew that he was pretty secure from interruption.  Ernest was aware of
+the same fact.  He cared nothing at all about the thrashing he should
+get, and was only anxious to save Ellis.  Ellis, however, would not
+move, and Blackall looked as if he would thrash both of them.
+
+Still more angry at being baulked of his revenge, Blackall again struck
+at Ernest, and tried to catch him, but in the latter object he did not
+succeed, though he hurt Ernest's arm, so that he could with difficulty
+defend himself; and now blow succeeded blow with considerable rapidity.
+
+Bracebridge disdained to fly, and as he could not hope to return the
+blows with much effect, he contented himself at first with standing on
+the defensive, waiting his opportunity to hit his powerful opponent in
+the eye or face, where he might leave a mark not easily effaced.  He
+knew that if he succeeded, he should still further enrage the bully; but
+he also knew that it was very likely to prevent him from ever attacking
+him again.  As Blackall hit out, he sprang back along the passage, then
+suddenly stopping, he leaped forward again, and put in the blow he
+desired.
+
+Blackall's eyes struck fire, but he was too well accustomed to the use,
+or rather the misuse, of his fists to allow his opponent to escape him.
+Ernest was again retreating.  Blackall caught him under his arm, and was
+about to inflict the most severe and disagreeable of punishments, by
+gibbing him, when poor Ellis, who had hitherto stood trembling at a
+distance, in obedience to Ernest's directions, could bear it no longer;
+and, throwing himself forward, leaped on Blackall's back, and held his
+arms with all his might and main, butting away at the same time, like a
+ram, with his head, and kicking furiously with his long legs, biting, it
+was said, the bully's ears and cheeks.  However that may be, Blackall
+was compelled to let Ernest go, for the purpose of shaking off his new
+and ferocious assailant.  This was not very easily done, for Ellis had
+remarkably long and strong arms, and held on like a vice.  Ernest seeing
+this, resolved to bring the bully to terms.
+
+"I say, Blackall, if Ellis lets you go, will you promise faithfully not
+to hurt him in any way, by word, look, or deed?" exclaimed Ernest.
+
+Blackall did not deign to reply, but continued his impotent efforts to
+shake off his old man of the woods.  He jumped and leaped, and backed
+against the walls, but to no purpose; he could not manage to get rid of
+his burden.
+
+"Well, what is your determination?" asked Ernest again, advancing in a
+threatening attitude towards Blackall, on whom he could now, had he
+chosen, have inflicted a very severe punishment.  "Will you promise
+faithfully, by all you hold sacred, not to touch or hurt Ellis in any
+way for this?"
+
+"I should think you had better try to make a bargain for yourself
+first," said Blackall.
+
+"Not I!" said Bracebridge, proudly; "I can stand a thrashing far better
+than Ellis.  I am pretty well accustomed to your lickings, and they
+don't hurt me much.  Therefore, again, I ask you, will you promise, or
+will you not?"  As he spoke, he doubled his fists, and advanced on
+Blackall, whose face was completely exposed to an attack, while Ellis
+kept battering away at his head, and grasped his arms tighter than ever.
+
+What might have been the consequences I do not know; Bracebridge, in all
+probability, would pretty severely have handled the bully, and, his
+anger being excited, would have left some marks not very easily
+eradicated on his countenance: when a light was seen in the passage, and
+a quick step advanced towards them.  Bracebridge disdained to fly, and
+Blackall could not, so they waited the result.
+
+"Ah! vat you garcons do there?" exclaimed Monsieur Malin, for it was the
+French master, holding up his candle.  "Let me see!  Ah, I understand!
+You, Blackall, are one very bad boy.  You go to bed now.  Bracebridge,
+Ellis, you come with me."
+
+Ellis on this jumped off Blackall's back, and glad he was to do so, for
+his arms were beginning to ache terribly with his exertions.
+
+Blackall sneaked off, vowing vengeance in his craven heart on his
+adversaries; and the kind-hearted Frenchman led the other two away, and
+urged them to keep clear of the bully.  When, however, he heard how the
+affair had taken place, he was very much inclined to go and inform the
+Doctor, to try and get Blackall expelled, but they entreated aim not to
+do so, and declared that they did not fear him, and would not run the
+risk of thus injuring his prospects.
+
+"Ah, you are brave garcons, brave garcons!" exclaimed Monsieur Malin.
+
+At all events, they were true, right-feeling English boys.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+OUR MILITARY EXERCISES.
+
+Bracebridge had to press his advice on Ellis more than once before he
+could induce him to apply for leave to drill and to learn fencing and
+the broadsword exercise.  All these sort of lessons were classed among
+the extras, so that the Doctor did not insist on the boys learning them
+unless by the express wish of their parents.  If they themselves wished
+to learn them, they had to write home and get leave.  This system, I
+fancy, made these branches of education far more popular than they would
+otherwise have been.  The several masters, knowing that the number of
+their pupils depended on the interest they could excite in their
+respective sciences, did their utmost to make them attractive.  They
+generally succeeded.
+
+Monsieur Malin would, at all events, have been popular.  He was a
+gentleman by birth and by education, of polished manners, and very
+good-natured, and as everybody liked him, everybody wished to learn
+French.  Old Dibble, our drill-sergeant, was very unlike him in most
+respects, but still he won all our hearts.  He was a kind-hearted man,
+and had an excellent temper, and he took great pains to teach us our
+drill and to make us like it.  He was the very man to turn us all into
+soldiers, and, as Bracebridge had said of him, he never grew weary of
+recounting his deeds of arms to all whom he could find ready to listen.
+He was a tall man, somewhat stout, with a bald patch on the top of his
+head, and grey hair and whiskers, a thoroughly soldier-like hooked nose,
+and fine piercing grey eyes.  Good-natured as he was, he would stand no
+nonsense or any skylarking; and we all agreed that when he was in the
+army he was certain to have kept all the men under him in capital order.
+
+Our dancing-master was Mr Jay.  He was a proficient in his art; and
+though he might not have been able to jump as high or to spin round on
+one leg as long as an opera-dancer, he was able to teach us to dance
+like gentlemen.  He was also a professor of fencing and gymnastics, and
+a very good instructor he was.  He understood thoroughly what the human
+body could do, and what it might do advantageously.  He also taught
+boxing.
+
+The Doctor was a great encourager of all athletic exercises, and allowed
+all the boys who wished it to take lessons in boxing once a week for
+half-an-hour at a time.  The greater number availed themselves of the
+permission, and most of the school were very good boxers.  The result
+was that, as a rule, we were a most peaceable set of boys, and I believe
+that fewer quarrels took place than among any equal number of boys in
+England.  We had a riding-master, who used to come every Saturday with
+five or six ponies, and give us lessons in a paddock attached to the
+school-grounds.  The Doctor used to say that his wish was to educate our
+hearts, our minds, and our bodies as far as he had the power, and that
+he found from experience that the greater variety of instruction he
+could give us, the more perfectly he could accomplish his object.  He
+himself gave us instruction in swimming.  I have described the pond in
+the grounds.  He used a machine something like a large fishing-rod.  A
+belt was fastened round the waist of a young swimmer, and by the belt he
+was secured to the end of a line hanging from the rod.  The Doctor used
+to stand, rod in hand, and encourage and advise the boy till he gained
+confidence and knew how to strike out properly.  He was anxious to
+prevent any one from getting into a bad way of striking out, for, as he
+used to say, it was as difficult to get rid of a bad habit as to acquire
+a good one.  He was, therefore, always waging a deadly warfare against
+all bad habits from their very commencement, not only with regard to
+swimming, but in every other action of life.  As soon as a boy had
+learned to strike out properly, he turned him over to the instruction of
+one of the bigger boys, who had especial charge of him in the water.  He
+had always four or five boys whom he had taught to swim thoroughly well,
+and he made them swimming-masters.  They benefited by having to give
+instruction to others, and by learning to keep their tempers.  Nothing,
+perhaps, tries the temper so much as having to teach dull or inattentive
+boys.  Blackall had been made one of the swimming-masters, but at the
+commencement of the bathing season the Doctor called him up, and without
+a word of explanation told him that he thought fit to dismiss him from
+the post.  He lost, in consequence, several privileges attached to the
+office.  To a person of Blackall's character, the mode of his dismissal
+was a considerable punishment.  It showed him that the Doctor was aware
+of some of his misconduct, but of how much he was still left in
+ignorance, and he had to live on in fear that some more severe
+punishment was still in store for him.  I am glad to say that there were
+very few other fellows at all like Blackall in the school.  There were,
+of course, some few bullies and blackguards, or who would speedily have
+become so if left to their own devices, and there were cowards, and boys
+who carelessly told an untruth, or were addicted to the too common vice
+of prevarication.  There were also vicious boys, or who would have been
+vicious had they not been watched and restrained.  These were exceptions
+to the general rule.  The Doctor's system, embracing the law of
+kindness, answered well, and brought forth good fruits.
+
+"Come along, Ellis," said Ernest, one Saturday afternoon, when he found
+his friend busily working away at the model of a vessel he was cutting
+out of a piece of American pine; "there's Sergeant Dibble in the
+playground; I'll take you up to him, and tell him that he must turn you
+into a soldier before the holidays.  He'll do it if you obey his
+directions."  Sergeant Dibble was found in the middle of the playground,
+surrounded by a number of boys, who were listening eagerly to one of his
+stories with which he was amusing them till the hour to commence had
+arrived.
+
+"The reason why we conquered was this, young gentlemen," he was saying.
+"Every man, from the highest to the lowest, knew his duty and did it.
+If they didn't know it and didn't do it, Lord Wellington sent them about
+their business, no matter who they were.  Remember that when you grow
+up.  Your duty, I take it, is to do your best in whatever station you
+may be placed; what you are certain will produce the best results and
+forward the objects in which you are engaged.  It is not enough to say,
+`Such were my orders;' you must try and discover the spirit of your
+orders.  Above all things, you must never be afraid of responsibility.
+Never be afraid of being found fault with when you know that you've done
+what's right.  I was going to tell you how we crossed the river Douro,
+in Portugal; how we surprised Marshal Soult, and how Lord Wellington ate
+the dinner which had been prepared for him and his staff.  We very
+nearly made him and his whole army prisoners, and we followed them up so
+closely that they had no time to rest till they were clear out of
+Portugal; but the hour is up.  Fall in, young gentlemen; fall in!"
+
+Ernest took this opportunity to go up to the Sergeant and to explain
+that he would find Ellis a very willing though, perhaps, a very awkward
+pupil, and begged that he would treat him accordingly, and not suppose
+that his awkwardness arose from carelessness or idleness.
+
+Sergeant Dibble looked at Ellis for a few moments.  "No fear, Master
+Bracebridge," he answered; "I've made a first-rate soldier out of far
+worse materials.  If he's the will, he'll soon get them long arms and
+legs to do their duty.  It's rather hard work to get a person who has no
+ear to march in time, but that's to be overcome by perseverance, and the
+eye must be made to do the work which the ear cannot.  Fall in, Master
+Ellis, if you please."
+
+Ellis had no notion of what falling in meant, so he shuffled about from
+place to place, looking up inquiringly at the Sergeant.  "Take your
+place, I mean, in the awkward squad, Master Ellis."
+
+"That's where I shall always have to be," thought poor Ellis.  "Which
+are the awkwardest squad, Sergeant?" said he, looking up.  "It strikes
+me that I should go there."
+
+Whatever Ellis thought of himself, there were several other boys just as
+awkward, or at all events as unapt to learn military manners.  Little
+Eden was one of them, that is to say, he always forgot what he had
+learned during his previous lesson.  Gregson was another.  He was not
+awkward in his movements, but while instruction was going forward he was
+always thinking of something else.  One reason that Bracebridge
+succeeded so well in whatever he undertook was, that he had the power of
+concentrating his attention on whatever he was about; in the school-room
+or play-room, in the cricket-field or on the parade-ground, it was the
+same.  It was his great talent.  He had many other talents, and he also
+had, from his earliest days, been well trained.  Had he been an only
+son, he might have been spoiled, but he had many brothers, and his
+temper had been tried, and he had been taught to command himself, and
+while he relied on his own energies for success, to obey his elders and
+to treat all his fellow-creatures with respect.  Sergeant Dibble very
+soon pronounced him his best drill.  The awkward squad had been standing
+by themselves for some minutes, looking very awkward, indeed, when
+Sergeant Dibble exclaimed--
+
+"Fall out, Mr Bracebridge, and take charge of that squad.  Exercise
+them in the balance step, and put them through their facings."
+
+Ernest, not a little proud, obeyed, and while the rest of the young
+soldiers were marching up and down, taking open order, wheeling to the
+right or left, and going through a variety of manoeuvres, he placed
+himself in front of the boys I have described, with others, making
+altogether about a dozen.  His first aim was to awaken them all up.
+"Attention!" he exclaimed in a sharp tone, which made them all spring up
+suddenly.  He then explained very clearly what he wanted them to do, and
+put himself in the required attitude, taking care that they all did the
+same.  Very few could not do the balance step.  Chivey and other hopping
+games had taught them that.  He kept them at it a very few minutes, and
+then telling them to practise it by themselves, went on to teach them
+their facings, explaining the object of each movement.  He did it all in
+so patient and good-natured a manner that every boy in the squad
+expressed a hope that Bracebridge might be set to teach them again.
+
+"I'll tell you what we will do; we will work away every day in the week,
+and when Sergeant Dibble comes next week we will show him what we can
+do."  The idea was taken up enthusiastically, and even the least apt of
+the squad made great progress.  In two or three weeks they were fully
+equal to those who had been drilling all the half.  Sergeant Dibble was
+delighted, and foretold that if Master Bracebridge went into the army he
+would distinguish himself.
+
+"I don't know what I am to be," replied Ernest; "I know that I am to do
+everything I am set to do as well as I can."
+
+There were some twenty boys or more who were very far from perfect in
+their drill in the larger squad, and Sergeant Dibble managed to persuade
+them to put themselves, during the week, under Ernest's instruction.
+Some few, at first, kicked at the notion, but finally all agreed to obey
+his orders on the parade-ground during one hour every day.  Others, of
+their own accord, joined, and in a short time he had quite a large army
+of volunteers.  He spared no pains to perfect them.  He got the Sergeant
+to bring him a "Manual of Drill Instruction," and every spare moment he
+spent in studying it attentively.
+
+In a few weeks Ernest's squad surpassed that composed of the older boys
+in the accuracy and rapidity of their movement; and Sergeant Dibble,
+when he came, expressed his astonishment and delight on finding what
+could be done when all set to work with a will to do it.
+
+Ernest, too, gained great popularity, and many who had before rather
+envied him now frankly acknowledged his talents and excellent qualities.
+He himself also behaved very well.  He did not set himself up above the
+rest in consequence of what he had done and the applause he had gained,
+but the moment the drill was over he became like one of the rest, and
+took his hat, or his fishing-rod, or his hoop--though, by the by, he was
+getting rather out of hoops--and went off shouting and laughing with all
+the merry throng.
+
+The greatest possible change was worked in Ellis.  He no longer looked
+like the same boy.  The alteration in his appearance was almost as
+striking as that which takes place in a country clown caught by a
+recruiting sergeant, half drunk at a fair, as he rolls on, looking every
+moment as if he was going to topple over, from public-house to
+public-house, and when he has been under the drill-sergeant's hands for
+a couple of years, and is turned into the trim, active, intelligent
+soldier.  At first, few who saw poor Ellis's awkward attempts could
+possibly avoid laughing.  How he rolled from side to side; how he stuck
+out one foot, and changed it again and again, finding that it was the
+wrong one; how, when the word "to the right-about" was given, he
+invariably found himself grinning in the face of his left-hand man,
+unless by good chance the latter had made the same mistake as himself,
+when he became suddenly inspired with the hope that he had, for a
+wonder, hit off the right thing.  He soon found his hopes disappointed
+by being summoned to repeat the movement, with a caution to do it
+correctly.  Then, on receiving the order to march, he nearly always
+started off with his right foot instead of his left, and when he did put
+out the left, he quickly changed it to the right, under the impression
+that he must have made a mistake.  Still his perseverance was most
+praiseworthy.  Bracebridge had assured him that in time he would become
+a good soldier if he wished it, and a good soldier he resolved to be,
+whether he followed up the profession or not.  He read as hard as he had
+ever done, and found time to manufacture all sorts of things, and yet no
+one practised more than he did drilling, and games, and all sorts of
+athletic exercises.  Before the change I have described was perceptible,
+the half was nearly over, and the summer holidays were about to begin.
+I have, in mentioning it, run on somewhat ahead of events.  Ernest had
+advised him to learn to dance and to fence.
+
+"Come, come, you are joking now, old fellow," was his reply, in his
+former melancholy tone of voice.  "I may learn any rough affair, like
+drilling and gymnastics, and, perhaps, the broadsword exercises, and
+learn enough to cut a fellow's head off; but to hop and skip about to
+the sound of a fiddle, or to handle a thin bar of steel so as to prevent
+another fellow with a similar weapon running his into me, is totally
+beyond my powers.  I know that I could not, if I was to try ever so
+much."
+
+"So you thought about gymnastics, and so you thought about drilling, and
+yet you have succeeded very well in both.  Remember the motto of our
+Silver Knight.  Push on up the hill; work away at one thing, and then
+another.  It is extraordinary how much may be learnt in a short time, if
+people will but give their minds to what they are about.  I know a good
+number of things, and I can do a good number of things, and yet I have
+not spent more hours of my life with a book before me than have most
+boys of my age; but then, when I have had a book before me, I have been
+really busy, getting all I could out of it; I have not sat idling and
+frittering away my time as so many fellows do.  I don't fancy that I
+cannot do a thing because it is difficult; I always try to find out
+where the difficulty lies, and then see how I can best get over it.  I
+like difficulties, because I like to conquer them.  This world is full
+of difficulties, which it is the business of men to conquer.  A farmer
+cannot get a field of corn to grow without overcoming difficulties.  He
+must dig up or plough up the ground; he must get rid of the weeds; he
+must trench it, and after a time manure it; and this he must do year
+after year, or it will not produce abundantly.  And so it is throughout
+all the works to be done in this world: then why should we expect to get
+knowledge, to cultivate our minds, to get rid of the weeds growing up
+constantly in them, without labour, and hard labour, too?  Now, I dare
+say, my dear fellow, you think that I am talking very learnedly, or you
+may say, very pedantically; but I do not even claim originality for my
+views.  My father pointed them out to me and my brothers long ago.  He
+threw difficulties in our way, and stood by till we overcame them,
+telling us it was the best practice we could have in the world.  I
+cannot tell you how much we owe to our father.  He is the wisest man I
+ever met.  I dare say there are many cleverer people; men who can talk
+better, and have done more, and have written more, and who are thought
+much more of in the world; but my brother and I agree, for all that,
+that he is the wisest, and if not the most talented, which we don't say
+he is, that he makes the best use of the talents he has got.  You must
+come and see him one of these days; I would say at once; but I think
+that you will like him, and that he will like you better by and by.  I
+wrote to him about you, I must confess that, and he put me up to some of
+the advice I gave you.  My brothers and I always write to him just as we
+write to one another; indeed, we generally pass our letters on to him,
+because we know that he likes to hear everything that we are doing.  We
+have no secrets from him, as I find some fellows here have.  We always
+go to him for advice about everything.  He often tells us to act as we
+think best, and to let him know what we have done.  Sometimes he tells
+us that he thinks we have acted very judiciously; at other times he
+tells us that, from the judgment he has been able to form, we ought to
+have done differently.  He has never kept us in what might be called
+leading-strings; but has placed the same confidence in us that we do in
+him--that is to say, he knows we want to do what is right.  Depend on
+it, Ellis, there is nothing like having the most perfect confidence
+between your father and yourself.  I assure you that I should be
+miserable if I had not, and if I did not believe that he is the best
+friend I have on earth, or ever shall have."
+
+Bracebridge said a great deal more to the same effect.  Indeed, whenever
+he got on the subject of his father's excellences, he was always
+enthusiastic.  Not without ample reason, I believe, for Mr Bracebridge
+was a man possessed of very rare qualities; and Oaklands, his place, was
+one of the most delightful houses to visit at in the country, or
+probably, in all England; that is to say, young men and boys, and indeed
+young people, generally, found it so.  Ernest knew that it would do poor
+Ellis a great deal of good to go there.  From what he could make out,
+Ellis's father and mother were advanced in life and great invalids, and
+Edward, their only son, had been considerably over-petted and
+over-coddled, though, as they had a good deal of sense with regard to
+many important matters, they had not spoilt him.  They had corrected him
+as a child when he deserved it, and watching the growth of bad
+propensities, had endeavoured to eradicate them before they had attained
+any size.  They were themselves very shy, diffident people, and thinking
+little of themselves, thought very little of their son, and brought him
+up to think very little of himself.  Certainly, if they erred, they
+erred on the right side.
+
+Ellis was not weak; he was not a boy at all likely to be imposed upon by
+a bad person; his principles were, as far as could be seen, good, and
+his sympathies appeared to be always on the right side.  Thus he was
+undoubtedly particularly fortunate in falling in with a boy like Ernest
+Bracebridge, whom he could admire, and who could, at the same time,
+enter into his feelings, and take an interest in him.  Still Ernest did
+not think that he was doing anything out of the way in encouraging him.
+There was something so natural and unpretending about his character, and
+so free was he from anything like conceit or vanity, that he was
+scarcely conscious that he was superior to his companions; or, if he was
+conscious of the fact, that it was anything on which he should be
+justified in priding himself.  Of one thing I am sure, that he had not
+found out that, by his own force of character and talents, he had
+already become one of the most popular boys in the school, and that, had
+he made the experiment, he would have had more followers than any boy
+even in the first class.  The way he had tackled Blackall the evening of
+the kite-race had become known, though neither he nor Ellis had talked
+of it; and this gained him many admirers, especially among those over
+whom the bully was accustomed to tyrannise.  At last Blackall began to
+be twitted with it, even by the fellows of his own age.  It became at
+last a joke among his compeers to ask him how his ears were--how he
+liked to have an old man of the woods on his back, and how he could
+allow himself to be thrashed by a fellow half a head shorter than
+himself, and so much younger.  He dared not attack either Ernest or
+Ellis openly, but he resolved to take his revenge on them as soon as
+possible.  He had not long to wait for an opportunity.  Before our
+drilling lessons were over, Sergeant Dibble used to arm us all with
+basket-hilted sticks, which served the purpose of broadswords; and,
+forming in two parties on opposite sides of the parade-ground, we were
+ordered to advance and attack, and defend ourselves, delivering or
+receiving so many cuts each time the two lines passed each other.
+Blackall, who prided himself on being a good swordsman, thought this
+would be a fine opportunity for inflicting a severe revenge on
+Bracebridge, whom he dared not now bully as formerly, and kick and cuff
+whenever he met him.
+
+"Now, young gentlemen, prepare for the broadsword exercise," the
+Sergeant sung out in his clear, sharp voice.  "Fall in line; fall in!"
+
+Ellis had begun to learn the broadsword exercise, though it was a sore
+trial to him, for he found great difficulty in recollecting the proper
+guards or strokes, and he was always receiving some severe cuts across
+the head or shoulders or legs, and getting into trouble by giving the
+wrong strokes, and making his opponents, who were not prepared for them,
+suffer accordingly.  Bracebridge had hit upon a plan to save him
+somewhat from this, by taking him as his opponent; and when he saw him
+making the wrong stroke, he was ready with the proper guard; and when he
+saw that Ellis had not his right guard, he either hit him softly, or hit
+at the guard presented to him.  This was very good practice to Ernest,
+though it made Sergeant Dibble sing out, every now and then--
+
+"Mr Bracebridge!  Mr Bracebridge! can you never remember to listen to
+the word of command, sir?  When I say cut two, I often see you cut four;
+and when I say third guard, you are apt to use the first or second
+guard.  How is this, sir?  Mr Ellis, you are not attentive either, sir,
+permit me to observe.  When I say defend, draw up the hand smartly, and
+from the first guard.  Be smart!--second guard! third guard!  Remember,
+if you have a big, ugly fellow, with a sword sharp enough to divide a
+bolster, who happens to wish to cut your head off, he doesn't stop to
+consider which is the right guard to make, or thrust to deliver.  He'd
+whip off your head before you had time to look round, and then what
+would you think of yourself, I should like to know?"
+
+Ernest never replied, while exercising, to these or any similar remarks,
+but he and Sergeant Dibble soon understood each other, and the Sergeant
+was convinced that Ernest was a better swordsman than he had supposed.
+
+"But, Mr Bracebridge, it will never do to let Mr Ellis go on in that
+way.  Now that he has a little more confidence, we must make him run his
+chance with the rest," he urged.  "A few cuts with a hazel stick won't
+do him any harm, and will make him open his eyes a little."
+
+To this, of course, Ernest agreed, and the present day was one of the
+first poor Ellis had to look out for himself.
+
+Blackall had meantime watched Ernest; and hearing him found fault with,
+and seeing him and Ellis make a mess of it, as he thought, he held his
+swordsmanship in very low estimation.  This made him confident that he
+could do what he liked with him.  It required some management to get
+placed opposite to him, but he succeeded, and felt highly delighted at
+the thoughts of the revenge he was about to enjoy.
+
+"Draw swords, gentlemen;" sung out Sergeant Dibble.  "Both parties
+advance.  Mr Jones's party assault with the second cut; Mr Smith's
+defend with the second guard.  Now hit hard and sharp, gentlemen.  If
+the proper guards are up you can do no harm."  Blackall was in the
+Jones's party, and purposed fully to carry out the order.  Bracebridge
+saw that he was opposite to him, and assumed a look of perfect
+indifference.  The bully expected to see him turning pale and looking
+alarmed.  "March!" sung out the Sergeant.  "Double quick!"
+
+On rushed the two squadrons, for so they could not help fancying
+themselves, and, as I believe, the Sergeant for the moment fancied them
+also.  They met with a hostile clash.  Blackall, not knowing that the
+Sergeant's eye was on him, shifted to the third cut, hoping to give
+Ernest a severe blow across the legs, but Ernest's eye was as quick as
+his, and catching the movement of the arm, he had the third guard ready
+to receive the blow.
+
+The Sergeant made no remark, but kept a watch on Blackall's movements,
+"Very well, gentlemen; very well!" he exclaimed.  "Now let Mr Smith's
+party assault with the fourth cut.  Bravo! performed with perfect
+precision."  And so he went on.  Each time, however, that Jones's
+division had to assault, he saw that Blackall endeavoured to take some
+undue advantage of Ernest, who with equal regularity contrived quietly
+to foil him.  Ernest kept his eye on his opponent's, but said nothing,
+and in no other way showed that he was aware of his evil intentions.
+Blackall at length began to lose his temper at his own failures: he
+ground his teeth and turned savage glances towards Bracebridge, who met
+them with a quiet look, free, at the same time, from scorn or anger.
+Not once did Blackall succeed in inflicting a blow, and though Ernest at
+last might have bestowed several very severe ones, he rightly refrained
+from so doing.
+
+"I know perfectly well that even had he hit me, I ought not to have hit
+him back," he said to himself; "much more then ought I to refrain when
+he has not succeeded in his object.  I should like to try the plan of
+heaping coals of fire on his head.  I might soften him, but I should
+have less hope with him than with any one.  I will try.  It matters not
+what may happen to me, but I am resolved, at the same time, I will not
+let him go on bullying any fellow whom I can defend."  When the drill
+was over, Sergeant Dibble called up Ernest.
+
+"I saw it all, sir," he said.  "You did capitally.  I never saw a young
+gentleman keep his temper as you did.  Why he wants to hurt you I don't
+know, but I will put you up to a trick or two which will place him in
+your power.  You are getting on famously with your fencing.  He piques
+himself on being a first-rate fencer.  He is not bad; and he does very
+well when he fences with Mr Jay, or any one he knows.  Now, though I do
+not teach fencing, I can fence; and, what is more, I have learned
+several tricks which people do not generally know.  I once saved a
+wounded Frenchman's life and took him prisoner, and nursed him as I
+ought to have done, and then I found he was a master of the science of
+defence and attack.  I never saw a man who could use a small sword as he
+did.  Well, as a mark of his gratitude, he taught me all he knew, and,
+especially, how to disarm an opponent.  It is simple, but requires
+practice.  There is no one in the fencing-room; come with me there and I
+will show it to you.  Practise the trick till I come again, whenever you
+have an opportunity, either by yourself or with a friend you can trust,
+like Ellis or Buttar.  I'll answer for it that you will be perfect in a
+couple of weeks at most.  If you lead Blackall to it, he is certain to
+challenge you before long.  Disarm him three times running, and I do not
+think that he'll ever wish to attack you again in any way."
+
+Ernest could not resist the offer the Sergeant made him.  He thought
+that the knowledge might be of the greatest importance to him during his
+life, so he at once went with the Sergeant into the fencing-room.  "You
+see, Mr Bracebridge," observed his instructor, "if you had a real sword
+in your hand, you would give your opponent such a cut round the wrist
+that he would probably be unable to hold a weapon again for many a month
+afterwards."
+
+Ernest set to work at once in his usual way, and Sergeant Dibble taking
+great pains to instruct him, he quickly acquired the trick.
+
+"You see, sir," observed the Sergeant, "though a foil does not cut, the
+button, if the leather is off, as I often see is the case, will give a
+very ugly scratch round the wrist, and if this is repeated two or three
+times, a fencer will rather stand clear of the man who can do it.  Just
+do you try it on Blackall, and you'll see if my word don't come right."
+
+After the Sergeant was gone, Ernest thought over what he had said.  He
+did not, however, half like the idea of taking the advantage which had
+been given him over Blackall.
+
+"No, no!" he exclaimed to himself.  "I'll tell him beforehand what I am
+going to do.  If I was going to engage with him in mortal combat, the
+matter would be different; I should feel as if I was going to commit a
+murder; but now I feel as if I was going to inflict on him a very
+deserved punishment and take down his pride a little."  So Ernest set to
+work, and practised the trick Sergeant Dibble had taught him.  After a
+day or two he took Buttar and Ellis into his confidence, and they all
+practised it together.  Ellis, however, could not manage to accomplish
+the turn of the wrist in a way to be effective, but Buttar, who had
+resolved to be a soldier, and took a deep interest in all military
+exercises, was never weary in practising it.  When Sergeant Dibble came
+again, he told Ernest that he would be perfect in another week, and
+complimented Buttar also on his proficiency.
+
+Ellis, meantime, was making great advances in the use of the broadsword,
+and the Sergeant assured him that if he would go on and persevere, he
+would very soon be far superior to many idle fellows who now sneered at
+him, and would not practise unless the master was present.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+A FISHING EXPEDITION.
+
+"I say, Bracebridge, we must try our new rod before we break up," said
+Ellis, one Saturday, just before the boys were going in to dinner.
+"It's a capital afternoon for fishing, cloudy and soft.  I'll see about
+bait if you will promise to come.  Buttar and Bouldon say they will, and
+so will Gregson; so we shall be a jolly party, and shall gain something
+even if we don't catch fish."  Ernest, who always appeared to have more
+spare time than any one else, consented to go, provided he had
+half-an-hour's reading after dinner, to get up some work.  Ellis had
+learned to be almost as eager as his friend in anything he was about.
+He now hurried off to send Jim, a lame boy, who was allowed to go on
+errands for the young gentlemen, to prepare the baits for the
+fishing-party.  They all assembled at the appointed hour, with capital
+rods in hand, with the exception of Gregson, who declared that he always
+made his own rods, and that his, though uncouth in appearance, would
+catch as many fish as all the rest put together.  The young fishermen
+had very little excuse for not catching fish.  There was a large pond,
+about two miles off, with a clear full stream running into it.  In the
+stream were trout, grayling, roach, and dace, and the pond was full of
+fine carp, and tench, and perch, while occasionally the other fish from
+the stream condescended to swim into it.  The fishing belonged to a
+gentleman in the neighbourhood, who took a great interest in the Doctor
+and his school, and always allowed a dozen boys at a time to fish there.
+They had to go to the Doctor or one of the masters for leave, and as
+seldom more than a dozen wished to go at a time, it was not often that
+any were disappointed.  Off they set, with their fishing-rods over their
+shoulders, singing away as merrily as crickets.  There were one or two
+ponds and streams in the way, where they proposed to try their fortune
+for a few minutes, as it was reported that sometimes very fine fish were
+caught in them.  The first they came to was a quiet dark pond, shaded by
+trees.  Gregson declared that he thought it must be full of fish, and he
+was considered an authority on such matters.  Ellis, who knew also a
+good deal about fishing, rather doubted that such was the case.
+
+"Come and try," said Gregson; "there is no great harm in doing that, at
+all events."  Gregson prevailed, and no one perceived a quiet chuckle in
+the tone of his voice.  He persuaded them all to fish with very small
+hooks and red worms, which he gave them.  They had not fished long
+before Bouldon exclaimed, "I've a bite, I've a bite!"  His float began
+to bob; down it went, and up he whisked his rod.  "A fine fish," he
+cried out; "but, hillo, it has legs--four legs, I declare!  Why, it's a
+monster; a terrible monster.  Hillo!  Ellis, Gregson, Buttar, come and
+help me.  Will it bite, I wonder?"  Gregson ran laughing up to Bouldon
+to see what was the matter.
+
+"Why, it is a water-newt!" he exclaimed.  "A harmless, curious little
+creature--there, don't hurt it!  It has not swallowed the hook.  I'll
+put it into my basket and take it home.  It will live in a tub of water
+for a long time.  Look! it is something like a lizard, but it has a flat
+tail made for swimming.  What curious little feet and legs!  Now, though
+the newt has four legs, it lays eggs; and to guard them from injury,
+wraps them up in the leaves of water plants, with its four paws.  When
+the young newt is hatched, it is very like a tadpole.  It is like a
+fish, for it breathes through gills; but as it increases in size the
+gills go away and the front legs appear, and then the hind ones.  In a
+frog-tadpole the hind legs appear first, and then the front ones."
+
+"Curious sort of fellows," observed Tom Bouldon, who had been listening
+attentively to Gregson's account; "but, I say, I thought fellows, when
+they grew bigger, took to gills instead of throwing them aside."
+
+"Oh!  Tommy, Tommy, what a pun!" was the general cry.
+
+"What a good pun, or what a bad one?" asked Bouldon with perfect
+simplicity.  "But, I say, Gregson, are there any other fish but your
+friends, the newts, in this pond, do you think? because if there are
+not, I vote we move on."
+
+"I never heard of any; but I wanted a newt, and so I proposed that we
+should fish here."
+
+On hearing this, there was a general proposal that he should be left
+behind to catch newts by himself; but he promised faithfully to show
+them where the best fish were to be caught, if they would forgive him.
+On these conditions he very easily obtained pardon for his trick.
+
+"I say, did you ever catch a fresh-water lobster?" asked Gregson.  No
+one had, and no one believed that there was such a thing.  "I'll soon
+show you one," said Gregson; and when they came to a shallow stream with
+highish banks, pulled off his shoes and stockings, tucked up the sleeves
+of his shirt and the legs of his trousers, and was soon busy feeling
+under the banks, just below water.
+
+"Why, he has got one; he has indeed!" shouted Bouldon, as Gregson
+produced, by the antennae, a crayfish, which, to prevent himself from
+being bitten, he caught by the back; its claws, though they stretched
+wide open, as if they had the cramp very badly, being utterly harmless.
+
+"This is a Crustacea," cried Gregson, holding him up in pride; "and if
+not a lobster, it may well be called one.  I have often caught two or
+three dozens of them, and found them capital for tea or breakfast.  In
+my opinion, if a person has his senses about him, and will but study
+natural history, he would be able to live entirely on the herbs and
+fruits of the field, the birds of the air, and the animals of the earth
+and water."
+
+"Ho, ho! a pretty sort of existence that would be!" exclaimed Bouldon.
+"I suppose you would have us to eat grass, like sheep or cows, or
+snails, or vermin, or tadpoles."
+
+"No, no!  Tom, but I will undertake to place a capital dinner before
+you; and, except the trouble of catching the animals, it shall cost
+nothing beyond a halfpenny, which I will expend in mustard and pepper.
+I cannot grow the pepper, so I shall buy a farthing's-worth of that and
+a farthing's-worth of mustard seed, which I would grow, and could then
+give you mustard to eat, and also a salad."
+
+"What would you do for salt?" asked Buttar.
+
+"I would make that very quickly by the seaside.  A few pails of
+salt-water thrown into any clean hollow of a rock would soon evaporate
+and leave some excellent salt," answered Gregson.  "Then I would give
+you several sorts of fish, and crayfish, and, if I can get to the sea,
+fish of all sorts, and lobsters, and crabs, and shrimps, and oysters,
+and every variety of shell-fish, and sea-weeds also, some of which are
+excellent and very nutritious; but I can do very well without going to
+the sea.  Of animals in England there are not many; but I can snare
+rabbits, and so I could hares, but that would be poaching, and therefore
+I cannot give you hares; but you shall have all sorts of birds--larks,
+and blackbirds, and sparrows, and young rooks, and wildfowl, and many
+others; and then there is no end of vegetables.  Nettle-tops, when well
+boiled, are excellent, and so are a number of other plants which are
+looked upon as weeds; and you have no idea of the number of roots which
+grow in the fields, and hedges, and hill-sides, which are fit to eat.
+Then, to give flavour to our birds and rabbits, I can find mushrooms in
+abundance, and, indeed, several flavoury seeds and roots.  While I think
+of it, I can do without pepper; we have some native pepper.  I can make
+several teas which have a very nice taste, and I can produce very fair
+coffee from the root of the dandelion.  If I was in Canada, I could
+manufacture excellent sugar from the maple-tree.  Here I could make it
+out of beetroot, but it would be troublesome.  I can give you as a
+dessert some delicious strawberries, and raspberries, and filberts, and
+I could get plenty of chestnuts, and no one would accuse me of stealing
+them; indeed, with a little consideration and trouble, I could place
+before you a first, second, and third course, which ought to satisfy the
+taste of the most fastidious.  For my own part, I do not object to
+frog's legs and snails; and if I was hungry, and could get nothing else,
+I would eat a snake without hesitation; but I do not ask others to
+entertain my views."
+
+"Oh, oh!  Greggy, you cannibal! you would eat grubs and caterpillars, I
+suppose?  Why, you are no better than an Australian savage," exclaimed
+Bouldon, with a look of ineffable disgust.
+
+"That is the worst of you, Gregson, you go into extremes," observed
+Ernest.  "We tried once, at home, for curiosity's sake, just the dinner
+you describe, and a very good dinner we had, though it was more suited
+to a Frenchman's than an Englishman's taste.  My father says that if
+people studied the subject, many more things would be found fit for food
+than are now used.  For instance, if two people were cast on shore on an
+uninhabited island, or were travelling through the wilds of America or
+Australia, one might starve from ignorance of what was fit to eat, while
+the other, from having a thorough knowledge of botany and natural
+history generally might find an abundant supply of nutritious food.
+When fruits are not in season, there are nearly always roots to be found
+under ground, and various herbs, and even the leaves, and gum, and stems
+or bark of trees.  The inhabitants of Terra del Fuego live on mushrooms
+which are found growing on the stems of the evergreen beech; indeed, I
+might multiply instances without end.  The naturalist not only knows
+that such things exist, but, from having studied their habits, knows
+exactly where to look for them.  I have often read of poor fellows
+starving in the midst of plenty, simply from their ignorance that food
+was close around them.  Others have been afraid to eat what they found
+for fear of being poisoned.  I tell you what, Greggy, I think that you
+are perfectly right, only you should take care not to disgust people by
+talking of being ready to eat things for which they may have an
+antipathy.  We know that locusts, and sea-slugs, and bird? nests, are
+considered great delicacies in some countries, and so are dogs by
+several people, and really I do not see why a dog should not be as
+delicate as a pig."
+
+"Well!  I declare that it is next door to cannibalism to eat a dog,
+man's faithful friend and protector," cried Buttar, who was more of a
+sportsman than any of the rest of the party.  "I would sooner starve
+than eat my old dog, Ponto."
+
+"I am not at all an advocate for the practice of dog eating," said
+Ernest.  "But I do argue that civilised and educated people, as we
+profess to be, should obtain a far greater knowledge of the productions
+of the earth than we possess."  Gregson was glad to find himself so well
+supported, and the rest finally agreed that they would get books and try
+and pick up some knowledge on the subject.
+
+"Books are all very well, and very important indeed; but they alone
+won't do; you must study and examine for yourselves.  Books will, by
+themselves, never give you a practical knowledge of natural history."
+This conversation lasted till the merry party arrived at the stream
+where they proposed to fish.  They all set to work, each in his own way.
+Ernest was the only fly-fisher of the party.  There was a light breeze
+which just rippled some of the deep pools in the stream, and as he
+walked up it, passing his companions one after the other, he seldom
+passed ten minutes without getting a rise and catching a fish.
+
+"Hillo, Gregson," said Bouldon; "I thought you, with your stick, were
+going to catch more than any of us.  There's Bracebridge far ahead of
+you already; you'll be beaten, old fellow."
+
+"Wait a bit," answered Gregson quietly.  "My fish have not begun to bite
+yet.  I am thinking of trying the pond for an hour or so.  I
+ground-baited it as I came by, and I have no doubt I shall catch
+something."  Bouldon, who was the worst fisherman of the party, in
+consequence chiefly of his want of patience, accompanied Gregson in the
+hopes that he might benefit by the ground-bait.
+
+"What is it you put in?" he asked.  The young naturalist showed him some
+balls which looked like balls of clay with some red seams, but they were
+composed of clay and bran, and gentles, and red worms, and one or two
+other ingredients, which Gregson averred would attract all sorts of
+fish.  "You must not interfere with my sport, but you shall have a spot
+to yourself; and I'll answer for it before long that you will have
+plenty."  Gregson himself, as he spoke, threw in his line, and as Tom
+looked on, caught several perch and roach in rapid succession.
+
+"Oh, I can't stand that; I must go and see what I can do," exclaimed
+Bouldon, moving on.
+
+"Very well, just go a little on this side of that willow," said Gregson;
+"you will find a deepish hole there.  Throw in your ground-bait, and
+before long you are very likely to get some bites.  See; I've caught
+another.  What a whacking big perch!  Three pounds' weight, I should
+say.  I'll have him out soon; don't stay for me, I can tackle him."
+This success of Gregson's made Bouldon still more anxious to be off to
+try and catch some fish.  Hitherto he had got nothing.  Having thrown in
+all the ground-bait he had got, he baited his hook with the full
+expectation of catching a basket-full.  He cast in his line and stood
+patiently watching his float.  It would not bob.  He altered the depth
+of the hook several times; the worm wriggled, as at first, untouched.
+He began to grow very impatient.
+
+"This will never do," he muttered; "I must shift my ground till I find
+the fish more inclined to be caught."  He looked round towards Gregson,
+who was pulling up fish as fast as he could.  "His basket must be
+already nearly full, and I have not caught even a wretched gudgeon."
+
+On this Tom went round the pond, throwing in his line here and there
+with the same want of success.  At last he got a bite; "A big fish," he
+thought to himself.  "I'm sure it is; hurra! perhaps my one fish may
+weigh as much as all Gregson's and Bracebridge's together."  He hooked
+his fish, which after one or two tugs, poked his nose to the surface
+just to see who was at the other end of the line, which somehow or other
+had got hold of his lips.
+
+"A grand, magnificent pike!" shouted Tom with delight, letting go his
+reel as the fish began to pull, and darted off into the centre of the
+pond.  Bouldon stood ready to turn him as soon as he began to slacken
+his pace.  Never had he felt so eager about catching a fish, for never
+had he held a bigger one at the end of his line.  It would have been
+better for him had it been much smaller.  There was a quantity of weeds
+in the pond; and numerous large flat leaves of the beautiful white
+water-lily floating near, moored to long tough stems, among which he was
+in a dreadful fright that the fish would get, when he felt sure it would
+contrive to carry line and hook and float away.  The pike, if pike it
+was, seemed fully aware of the advantage it possessed, and darted about
+in every direction.
+
+"The hook must have caught the very edge of the upper lip, or it would
+have bitten through my line long ago," thought Tom.  "What can I do?  I
+wish Gregson were here to help me.  He would know some dodge to get this
+fellow on shore.  I'm sure I don't.  Hillo!  Greggy!  Ellis!  Do come
+and help me.  Any of you fellows there?"  He dared not for a moment turn
+his eye away from the water, lest the fish should take the opportunity
+of getting off.
+
+"Hillo! does no one hear?  Hillo, I say!  Come, my good fellows, lend a
+hand to land this monster!"  No one answered.  The fish had run out with
+the whole of his line; the rod was bending almost double.  He advanced
+to the very edge of the pond; he thought that he might give a little
+more scope by going to the right hand, where there was what he supposed
+to be a projection of the bank.  So there was, but it was only of grass,
+and had nothing under it.  He put his foot on it; the fish pulled harder
+than ever; he never dreamed of letting go his rod, and over he went, the
+impetus of his fall, and the pulling of the fish, carrying him a
+considerable distance from the shore.  His head went under water, and he
+got a good quantity of it in his mouth; but at last he came up to the
+surface, spluttering and blowing, and trying to strike out, but still,
+like a true Briton, keeping fast hold of his rod.  He now shouted out
+with all his might, his shout becoming a sharp cry for help, for he felt
+very truly that life was in imminent danger.  The water was deep; he had
+thick heavy shoes and trousers on, and he could not make up his mind to
+lose his rod.  For some time he positively swam away from the shore, not
+knowing what he was about, but fortunately at last he found out what he
+was doing, and tried to get back.  His heart sank within him when he
+found how far off he was from the land.  His clothes were pressing him
+down, and the long slimy stems of the weeds began to twist and turn
+round his legs.  "Oh, I shall be drowned--I shall be drowned!" he cried
+out in an agony of fear.  "Help--help!--help, oh help!" he shouted,
+struggling to keep himself above water.  His eye looked on either side
+of the pond.  He saw some one approaching the spot where he had stood,
+but coming leisurely, and evidently not aware that he had tumbled into
+the water.  "Help, help;" he again shouted, and he felt that in another
+minute he must go down, for the more he attempted to approach the shore,
+the more his legs became entangled by the fatal weeds.  He thought that
+he recognised the gaunt figure of Ellis.
+
+"Oh, if it had been Bracebridge now! he swims so well, he might have got
+me out," he thought to himself; but he had very little confidence that
+Ellis would help him.  Just then his last cry must have reached the ear
+of the person approaching, for he set off running towards the spot as
+fast as his legs would carry him.  Bouldon began to hope once more that
+he might be saved.  Then he saw that it was Ellis.
+
+"Keep up, keep up!" shouted Ellis; "I'll be with you."  He disencumbered
+himself of his basket as he ran, and the moment he reached the spot he
+threw off his shoes and his jacket, and, rod in hand, having broken off
+the hook from his line, plunged into the water without an instant's
+hesitation.  All the time, however, he shouted, "Help! help! help!"  He
+swam out bravely towards Bouldon, poking his rod before him till the end
+reached his struggling school-fellow.  "Catch hold of this--catch hold
+of this!" he sang out lustily.  Bouldon heard him, but his senses were
+becoming confused, and he could not exert himself to reach the point of
+the rod.  Ellis swam on still further, but he saw the weeds, and he knew
+that, should his legs once become entangled in them, he should be unable
+to help his friend, and should probably lose his own life.
+
+"Oh! come nearer, come nearer!" gasped out poor Bouldon, making vain
+efforts to get free.
+
+Ellis, against his better judgment, generously made the attempt.  He
+instantly felt that he, too, was among the weeds.  He tried to get back.
+His only consolation was to see that Tom had got hold of the end of his
+rod.  Ellis exerted himself to the utmost.  Move forward he dared not;
+but throwing himself on his back, he lifted up his legs, and endeavoured
+to disentangle them from the weeds which were round them.  At last he
+felt that he could strike out with them; and paddling with one hand at
+the same time, he gently pulled on his rod, so as to tow Bouldon towards
+him.  The weeds had, however, got so completely round poor Tom's legs,
+that Ellis found that he was not moving him.
+
+"I'm sinking, I'm sinking!"  Tom cried out.
+
+Ellis struck away with all his might.  "Hold on to the rod, whatever
+happens, that's all," he cried out, tugging and tugging away.  "I'm
+moving you, I'm moving you!"
+
+So he was, but it was only so far as the weeds would allow him to go.
+Tom had followed his example, and thrown himself on his back.  Just then
+a shout was heard, and soon afterwards Ellis caught the words he had
+been himself using, "Keep up, keep up!--never fear!"  He thought it was
+Bracebridge's voice; so it was.  He was up to them in an instant.
+
+Now, Bracebridge, by his father's advice, never went out on any
+expedition without a supply of stout twine.  Producing some from his
+fishing-basket, he fastened one end of it to a drooping branch of the
+willow-tree, which overhung the pond, and the other on to his own rod,
+and, having thrown off his clothes, he boldly plunged into the water,
+knowing that the weeds would have much less power over his naked legs,
+than if he had kept on his trousers.  He reached poor Tom with the end
+of his rod just as he was sinking.  Tom grasped it convulsively, and
+Ernest holding on to the part of the line made fast to the tree had
+sufficient force to drag him out from among the weeds.  Ernest,
+meantime, told Ellis to try and get to shore, so as to be able to help
+him to draw in Bouldon.  Ellis was not long in doing so; and climbing up
+the bank, he hauled in the line Ernest had so thoughtfully made fast to
+the tree.  In a short time, by careful pulling, Bouldon was hauled clear
+of the weeds, and Ernest was able to take hold of his arm, and to
+support him while Ellis towed them both up to the bank.  By this time
+Bouldon was unconscious, but, notwithstanding, he still with one hand
+held fast hold of the butt-end of his rod, and the rod had evidently
+something else at the other end of it.  They drew him up the bank still
+holding on his rod.
+
+The change of atmosphere from the warm water of the pond, perhaps, to
+the cooler air, revived him, and opening his eyes he looked up at
+Bracebridge.
+
+"You, Ernest!  I thought it was Ellis.  Is he safe?"
+
+"Yes, yes; all right, old fellow!" answered Ellis.
+
+"Oh, thank you, thank you!  Then do try and get my fish on shore," were
+the first words exchanged between the party when they had got safe to
+land.
+
+"It's a whacking big pike, that I know," cried Tom.  "Oh!  Bracebridge,
+don't let him go; that's all."
+
+"I only hope no stranger will come near and find me, like a picture in
+the `Boy's Own Book,' fishing _in statu quo_," said Ernest, laughing,
+"But quick, Ellis, bring the landing-net; I shall have him directly, I
+believe."
+
+There was a broad laugh as Ellis put the net under the fish--for fish
+there undoubtedly was.  "Why, Tommy, your big pike has turned into a
+perch after all," cried Ernest; "a good-sized one though.  But how did
+you come to fancy it a pike?"
+
+"Because he pulled so horribly; and when I saw his big jaws above water,
+I thought nothing but a pike could possess such a pair of gills,"
+answered Tom, with much simplicity.
+
+Ernest and Ellis laughed heartily at Bouldon's pike.  Ellis took off his
+clothes, and wrung them dry, and assisted Tom, who was getting rapidly
+well, to do the same; and while Ernest put on some of his garments, he
+lent the remainder to clothe his companions, while theirs were drying.
+They very quickly got their fishing gear to rights again, and were soon,
+as eager as before, engaged in their sport.
+
+The disturbance they had made in the water had not frightened away the
+fish, and they each of them caught several large perch.  When they at
+last got their clothes dry enough to put on, and worked their way up to
+where Gregson was fishing, they found that he had actually filled his
+basket completely full; fulfilling his promise that with his old stick,
+as he called it, he would catch more fish than all the rest put
+together.  He bought his hooks, though he could make them; but the rod,
+line, and float he had entirely manufactured himself, as he had all the
+rest of the gear, and thus he certainly had reason to be proud of his
+achievements.
+
+He was horrified when he heard how nearly two of his companions had lost
+their lives, while all the time he had been so close at hand.  When,
+however, they were joined by Lemon and Buttar, and Bouldon described the
+way Ellis had come to his rescue, everybody was loud in their praises of
+him except Ernest.  He said nothing at the time, but as they were
+walking home, he took Ellis's hand, and pressing it warmly, remarked,
+"You have behaved very gallantly to-day, my dear fellow.  I was certain
+that when the opportunity offered, you would do so.  No one could have
+done better, or shown more coolness or courage.  Had it not been for
+you, Bouldon would have lost his life; of that I am certain.  He was
+almost gone when I came up."
+
+"Why, Bracebridge, I considered that you saved both our lives,"
+exclaimed Ellis, in a tone of surprise at hearing himself so praised.
+"Had you not come up, we should both have been lost."
+
+"Oh!  I only used a little judgment, and followed one of the many bits
+of good advice my father has given me from time to time," said Ernest.
+"I neither ought nor will take any of the credit which belongs to you;
+so pray, my dear fellow, do not talk of what I have done."
+
+Ellis, however, argued the point; but Ernest took care that the way he
+had behaved should be thoroughly known and well understood by all the
+boys, as well as by the Doctor.
+
+The fishing-party had a very pleasant walk home, and seldom had fuller
+baskets of fish been brought to the school.
+
+That evening, after prayers, the Doctor called up Ellis, and, placing
+him on his right hand, said that he wished to compliment him, among all
+his companions, for his bravery and coolness, which had enabled him to
+have the inestimable gratification of saving the life of a
+fellow-creature, a school-fellow, and a friend; "and," added the Doctor,
+turning to Ernest, "I feel that you, Bracebridge, deserve not less
+credit for the generous way in which you have acted in the matter."
+
+Ernest did not obtain less credit, and Ellis found himself in a very
+different position to what he had before held in the school.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+TRIALS OF EDWARD ELLIS--A GAME AT GOLF.
+
+The summer holidays were over, and nearly all the boys had collected at
+school.  Most of them loved their homes; but really our school was so
+pleasant a place, that very few regretted returning to it.  Several new
+boys came.  One of them was called Andrew Barber.  He was somewhat of a
+noisy overbearing character, and showed from the first a strong
+disposition to bully, and to quarrel with those who did not agree with
+him.  He had, however, a box full of valuables, and a couple of bats, a
+set of wickets, and two first-rate footballs, and a set of
+hockey-sticks, so that with a pretty large class he was rather popular.
+Dawson very quickly made up to him, and Blackall condescended to allow
+him to cultivate his acquaintance.  I write about him from recollection.
+Perhaps when he first came, the defects I recollect in his character
+may not have been so apparent.  Bracebridge came back quiet and
+gentlemanly as ever.  He had not been idle during the holidays.  It is
+extraordinary how much he had seen, and done, and learned.  He had been
+reading pretty hard both Greek and Latin, and Mathematics.  He had made
+a tour through the manufacturing districts, the commencement of a series
+his father promised to take him, to show him the true source of English
+wealth.  He had had a very pleasant yachting expedition, and had learned
+a good deal more about a vessel, and how to sail her, than he had before
+known.  He had become a proficient in archery, and had filled a book
+full of sketches.  Then he had read through a History of France, and
+made a synopsis of the work, as well as two or three biographies; and he
+had fished and ridden, and botanised and geologised, and seemed to have
+seen and talked with a great number of interesting people.  Even Buttar,
+to whom he gave this account of himself, was surprised; and yet Buttar
+was one of the hardest readers in the school.
+
+"How I can possibly get through so much, do you ask?" said Ernest.
+"Why, I will tell you.  I am never idle.  I always arrange beforehand
+what I want to do, and when I am at work, I give all my mind to that
+work, and never allow myself a moment to think of anything else.  I have
+the gift, and a valuable one it is, I feel, of being able to concentrate
+my thoughts on the particular subject in which I am engaged, while I
+never allow them to be drawn off by anything else.  I believe that my
+mind is so constituted that I should do this of my own accord; but my
+father has strongly urged on me the importance of the habit, and I
+accordingly practise it systematically.  Whenever I find my mind
+wandering away from the subject on which I am engaged, I bring it back
+forcibly, just as if it were a truant, or a deserter from his colours.
+Some people can think of two things at the same moment; but my father
+says it is much better to think of one thing well at a time, as likewise
+to do one thing well; so, as you may have observed, I never attempt
+more.  The consequence of this system is, that I gain some credit, more
+or less, for nearly everything I undertake."
+
+"Indeed, you do," exclaimed Buttar enthusiastically.  "I wish that I
+were like you; but my thoughts are constantly wool-gathering, whatever I
+am about.  Now, Ellis is like you.  He can keep his mind fixed on his
+work, whether mental or physical; and see how rapidly he has got on.  I
+wonder when he is coming.  It is extraordinary how I took to liking that
+fellow; I quite long to have him back among us."
+
+"He wrote me word a few days ago that he expected to be here to-morrow.
+He tells me that he looks forward to coming back with great pleasure,
+though formerly it was always with pain and dread that he approached the
+school."
+
+"I am glad of it," remarked Buttar.  "There is a good deal in that
+fellow.  I did not fancy so at first, but I am now convinced that he
+could beat most of us at anything he tries.  He is a right honest good
+chap into the bargain.  I hope that he will be here soon."
+
+Poor Ellis would have had his spirits much raised, had he been aware how
+those whom he most esteemed among his schoolfellows talked of him.
+
+The Doctor made a rule of examining all the boys when they returned
+after the holidays, to ascertain what progress they had made during the
+time.  They had also a holiday task; but they all, except the very idle
+ones, found it a very easy matter.
+
+Ernest found himself at once put up a class, and the very first day he
+went up, he took a good place in that class.  Bracebridge could not be
+otherwise than a favourite with the Doctor, and with all the masters.
+Monsieur Malin especially liked him.  He took so much pains to acquire
+French, and to pronounce it properly, and would repeat words over and
+over again till he had caught the right sound: then he at once
+understood the necessity of attending to the idioms of the language, and
+did not fancy that he was speaking French when he literally translated
+English into French, as did most of his companions.  He moreover (and
+the Frenchman fully appreciated his delicacy) never allowed a smile to
+appear on his countenance, however absurd the mistake his master might
+make when speaking English.
+
+Monsieur Malin was a great linguist, and took a pleasure in imparting a
+knowledge of his attainments to Ernest, who in that way began to study
+Italian, German, and Spanish, and found, to his surprise, a wonderful
+ease in picking them up.  He always carried in his pocket a little book,
+in which he entered the words he wished to learn.  When he walked out,
+he used to learn as many of these words as he could remember.  One day
+he devoted to one language, one to another, and he found that he
+acquired all three with very little more exertion of mind than was
+necessary to learn one.  He had learned Latin and Greek with his father
+in the same way, and at an early age he had had a very large vocabulary;
+indeed, there was scarcely a word in English which he could not readily
+translate into those languages when he came to school.  In consequence,
+directly he learned a rule of grammar, he was able to apply it.  Other
+boys, following the old system, went hammering and hammering away at
+their grammar without understanding it, and without being able to apply
+its rules, and lost their own time and patience, and that of their
+unfortunate masters.
+
+However, I am not writing an account of the lesson hours of my schoolboy
+days, but rather of the play-hours.  At the same time, I believe that
+they are more connected, and the importance of the latter is greater
+than some people are apt to suppose.
+
+Bracebridge, Buttar, Bouldon, and Gregson were waiting to welcome Ellis
+when he got down from the coach, which passed through the village,
+half-a-mile from the house.  They all, as they walked home, had a great
+deal to say, and a great deal to tell him.  Each one was eager to
+describe where he had been, and what he had done in the holidays, and to
+know all that had happened to Ellis during the same period.  They then
+had to tell him of all the changes which had occurred at the school.
+
+"We have loads of new fellows," exclaimed Bouldon.  "There is Milman,
+and Bishop, and Lloyd, and Taylor, and a fellow named Barber, and
+Cooper, and Lindsay; and there are five or six little fellows, whose
+names I don't know, and several more are coming, and they say two or
+three big fellows, who will be especially under the Doctor.  A capital
+increase for one half, though, to be sure, several have left in the
+upper class.  It shows, however, that the school is getting up."
+
+"I know that I wish one fellow had left," said Buttar.  "The school
+suffers in consequence of him.  I wouldn't have a younger brother of
+mine come as long as he is here, that I know, to be bullied by him; to
+be kicked, and cuffed, and abused is bad enough, but to hear him talk--
+to have to listen to his foul language and stories, and all sorts of
+ideas which come into his abominable mind, is infinitely worse."
+
+"You are right, Buttar," exclaimed Bracebridge, warmly.  "That fellow
+Blackall and his tongue is a pest to society.  If he simply bullied he
+could do very little harm; but, I say, what is the matter with Ellis?
+how pale and wretched he looks!"
+
+"Bracebridge," said Ellis, coming round to him hurriedly, "who is this
+fellow Barber?  Where does he come from?  Do you know?  Oh, tell me!"
+
+"From Doctor Graham's at Hampstead.  I know for certain.  He told me so
+this morning," replied Bracebridge.  "But, my dear fellow, what is the
+matter with you?"
+
+"Oh, Bracebridge, you'll know too soon," Ellis gasped out.  They had
+dropped a little behind the rest of the party.  "Yet you'll not think
+ill of me.  You'll not believe what he says, will you?  Promise me that,
+without proof, without better proof than he can give.  However it may
+appear, I am not guilty; indeed I am not."
+
+"What are you talking about?" exclaimed Ernest, thinking that poor Ellis
+had gone mad.  "I have never heard a word against you.  Nobody has said
+anything of which you might complain.  Had anyone, I would not believe
+him, and I am sure your other friends would not.  Everybody who really
+knows you likes you, trusts you, and believes you to be an excellent
+fellow.  You have taken some fancy into your head.  Get rid of it, do."
+
+"It is no fancy, indeed it is not," said Ellis, more calmly.  "Perhaps I
+was wrong to say anything about the matter.  I know that there is a
+French saying, _Qui s'excuse s'accuse_.  I'll not excuse myself more
+than I have done to you.  Should anything be said against me, I may rest
+sure of your friendship at all events.  More I do not desire."
+
+"Indeed, my dear fellow, you may.  Whatever others may say, I will not
+believe you capable of doing anything of which you need be ashamed,"
+said Ernest, warmly pressing his friend's hand.
+
+"Thankyou, thank you!" replied Ellis; "you make me feel less miserable.
+Still your friendship will be sorely tried.  Of that I am certain."
+
+Ernest, during all the time Ellis was speaking, was debating in his mind
+whether or not he was labouring under some strange hallucination.
+"Whatever it is that you fear, do not talk about it," he said, as soon
+as Ellis had ceased speaking.  "It will do no good, and can only make
+people think things which are very likely far from the truth.  I would
+advise you not to talk even to me about it.  Come and have a good game
+of cricket, or take a turn at fencing, or broadsword, or come and learn
+golf.  There is a Scotch fellow, Macgreggor, who has come this half, and
+has undertaken to teach us, and it has become all the rage.  It's a
+capital game for summer, and gives one plenty of exercise.  One game or
+the other will soon knock all such notions out of your head."
+
+Poor Ellis smiled faintly as he replied, "I am afraid not, but I will
+try to follow your advice.  I will keep up my spirits, and perhaps
+matters will turn out better than I have a right to expect.  I should
+like to learn golf, if you are doing so.  I have once or twice seen it
+played at Blackheath, and I should think that it would suit me better
+even than cricket."
+
+"That's right, that's right," said Ernest.  "I say, you fellows, Ellis
+has a great fancy to join us in learning golf.  He is like me; he
+dislikes the same routine of games year after year, however good they
+may be.  We'll get Macgreggor to give us a lesson this evening.  He
+seems to be a very good-natured fellow, though he is so big and old."
+
+Macgreggor was a private pupil of the Doctor's, who had lately come to
+prepare for Cambridge.  He was a good specimen of a Highlander, who had
+never before been south of the Tweed.  He spoke strong Scotch, but not
+broad Scotch; that is, Lowland Scotch, with the full forcible
+expressions which are to be found in such abundance in the language.  He
+was a truly honourable, high-spirited fellow, and most kind-hearted and
+generous.  Had Blackall's misdeeds come to his notice he would have
+doubled him up, as our Yankee cousins would say, in no time.  The rest
+of the party willingly agreed to the proposal.  As soon as they reached
+the house, Ellis had to go and present himself to the Doctor, who was
+struck by his grave and pale countenance.
+
+"My dear boy, what is the matter with you?" asked the Doctor kindly.
+
+"Nothing, sir; nothing," was the answer.  "It is not because I am sorry
+to come back to school, because I am very happy to find myself here."
+
+The Doctor looked pleased, and he knew that Ellis was not a boy to make
+a set speech for the purpose of paying a compliment.  He was glad to
+find also that he had not spent his holidays in idleness, but had
+studied quite as hard as was wise, and had read a number of useful
+works.
+
+"You have done very well indeed," said the Doctor.  "If every boy would
+follow your plan, and read attentively a good history during the
+holidays, they would become very fair historians at a small expense of
+labour, and they would save their time which is now, in most instances,
+so miserably squandered.  Most boys during their school-life have from
+fourteen to sixteen holidays, each about six weeks in length--in fact
+they are idle for two whole years of the most valuable period of their
+existence for acquiring knowledge.  During that time they might acquire
+a thorough knowledge of the history of the whole world."
+
+Ellis thanked the Doctor for his advice, and said that he would follow
+it, and try to persuade some of his schoolfellows to do so likewise.
+
+Dinner was over, so some was sent in for Ellis, and then he and his
+friends set off, with Macgreggor and several other boys, to the
+neighbouring heath, where they were to play golf.
+
+Macgreggor had brought with him a supply of golf sticks or bats, which
+he generously distributed among those who wished to play.  He soon fixed
+on Bracebridge as being likely to prove one of the best players, and
+told him that he should be his opponent on this occasion, although he
+had received only three or four lessons from him.
+
+Ernest chose Buttar, Ellis, and Knowles, who played already very well,
+and Macgreggor took Bouldon, Gregson, and Jackson, another not bad
+player, considering that he had only just taken a golf stick in hand.
+As the ground over which they had to play was very irregular, they
+marked their three holes in a triangle about a quarter of a mile apart.
+
+"See, Ellis, what a beautiful golf stick Mac has given me," said
+Bracebridge, showing his golf club.  It was a formidable-looking weapon,
+about three feet long, formed of ash, curved and massive towards the
+end, which was made of a lump of beech, the handle being neatly covered
+with velvet.  The thick end of the club was loaded with four ounces of
+lead, and faced with hard bone.  Altogether no weapon could have been
+designed better adapted for hitting a small ball with a powerful stroke.
+The golf ball itself was very small, not bigger than a small hen's egg.
+It was formed of white leather, which had been soaked in water, and
+stuffed full of feathers by means of a stick till it became perfectly
+hard.  It was afterwards covered with four coats of fine white paint to
+increase its hardness.
+
+"You observe, Ellis," said Bracebridge, "the great object is to get a
+ball both hard, light, strong, easily seen, and which will not be the
+worse for a wetting.  All these qualifications are possessed by this
+little fellow.  Why golf has gone out so much in England, I don't know.
+Two centuries ago it was a fashionable game among the nobility; and we
+hear of Prince Henry, eldest son of James the First, amusing himself
+with it.  In those days it was called `bandy-ball,' on account of the
+bowed or bandy stick with which it was played.  We now only apply the
+term bandy to legs.  Still farther back, in the reign of Edward the
+Third, the game was played, and known by the Latin name of _Gambuca_.
+Now, are we all ready?"
+
+Macgreggor, who had just come up with his companions, replied that all
+his party were ready to begin.  Each side was accompanied by two boys,
+carrying a number of other clubs, one of which was of iron, and some
+were shorter, and some longer, to enable the players to strike the ball
+out of any hole, or rut, or other place in which it might have got.
+
+"These extra clubs are called putters, and the men who carry them cads,
+or caddies," Ernest remarked to Ellis.  "This heavy iron club is, you
+see, to knock the ball out of a rut, which would very likely cause the
+fracture of one of our wooden clubs.  Now you understand all about the
+matter.  Follow me; I'll tell you what to do when Macgreggor is not
+near; otherwise, though he is playing against us, he will advise us what
+to do."
+
+The ball was thrown up, and the game began.  Macgreggor had the first
+stroke.  He sent the ball a considerable distance towards the nearest
+hole.
+
+Ernest had then to strike his ball.  If he struck it very hard it might
+go beyond the hole, which would have thrown him back; and if he did not
+send it as far as the ball first struck, Macgreggor's party would have
+had the right to strike twice before his would again strike the ball.
+
+Ellis at first thought that there was nothing in the game, but he soon
+perceived that there was a good deal of science required, and that
+nothing but constant practical experience could make a person a good
+player.  He, however, as Bracebridge was doing, gave his mind entirely
+to it, and by listening to the remarks made by Macgreggor, he learned
+the rules and many of the manoeuvres golf players are accustomed to
+practise.  He very soon got deeply interested in the game, as did,
+indeed, all the party; and perhaps had they been asked at the moment
+what they considered one of the most delightful things to do all day,
+they would all have pronounced in favour of playing golf.
+
+Golf is a most difficult game to describe.  I should liken it, in some
+respects, to billiards on a grand scale, except that the balls have to
+be put into holes instead of pockets; that they have to be struck with
+the side instead of with the end of a club, and that there is no such
+thing as cannoning.
+
+Bracebridge sent his ball very cleverly a few yards only beyond
+Macgreggor's, which called forth the latter's warm approval.  Then
+Gregson struck the ball, and sent it but a very short distance.  Buttar
+next sent theirs nearly up to the hole, and Bouldon then going on, and
+being afraid of going beyond the hole, sent it not so far, as Buttar had
+struck their ball.
+
+"Two, two," shouted Bracebridge.  "Now, Knowles, hit very gingerly, and
+let me see if I cannot send our ball in."
+
+Knowles rolled the ball within a few feet of the hole, and Ernest, who,
+in consequence of Bouldon's miss, was now allowed to strike, guided by
+his correct and well-practised eye, sent it clean into the hole, to the
+great delight of Macgreggor, who was pleased at having so apt a pupil.
+
+Bracebridge now took his ball out of the hole, and struck it on.
+Macgreggor, however, was not long in catching him up, but Tom Bouldon
+was a great drawback to Macgreggor.  He had not calmness enough to play
+the game well.  He was continually missing the ball, or sending it
+beyond the hole, while Macgreggor, and Bracebridge, and Ellis
+especially, always considered how far it was necessary to send it, and
+took their measures accordingly.
+
+Few games show the character of a person more than does that of golf,
+although all, more or less, afford some index to those who are
+attentively looking on.  A boy, when playing, should endeavour to keep a
+watch over himself as much as on all other occasions, and he should
+especially endeavour to practise that very important duty of restraining
+his temper.  Boys are too apt to fancy that they may say and do what
+they like, and often they abuse each other, and make use of language of
+which, it is to be hoped, they would be ashamed when out of the
+playground.
+
+While the game was going on, and drawing near its completion,
+Bracebridge being ahead, a number of boys came out to see what was going
+forward.  From their remarks, there was not much chance of the game
+becoming popular.  There was not enough activity and bustle in it to
+please them.  It was not to be compared for a moment with cricket, or
+rackets, or football, or even hockey.
+
+Among the spectators were Blackall and Dawson, and the new fellow,
+Barber.  His eye was ranging over the heath.  Ernest and his party were
+then at a distance, playing up towards the last hole.
+
+"Well, to my mind, after all, it is only like a game of marbles, played
+with a little leathern ball instead of a stone, and a stick instead of
+one's knuckles," sneered Blackall.
+
+Dawson echoed the sentiment.  "How that fellow Bracebridge can find
+anything to like in it, I do wonder," he remarked.  "In Macgreggor, who
+has been brought up to it, it is a different affair."
+
+"Hollo! who is that fellow?" exclaimed Barber, as the players drew near.
+
+"Which do you mean?" said Dawson.  "That natty-looking fellow, who is
+taking the ball?  He's a genius; and if you were to take him at his own
+valuation, there is not such another fellow in the school, or perhaps in
+the world."
+
+Dawson never lost an opportunity of having a fling at Bracebridge, who
+had passed so rapidly by him in the school, and had beat him at all
+their games.
+
+"No, no; I mean a lanky-limbed, long-faced fellow, who looks as if his
+face was made of butter.  I think I know him," said Barber.
+
+"Oh, you mean that miserable wretch Ellis," snarled Blackall.  "He's a
+fellow born to be licked.  He is of no other earthly use.  I'll give you
+leave to thrash him as much as you like; it will save me the trouble,
+and I shall be much obliged to you."
+
+It might well save Blackall trouble; for had he ventured to touch Ellis,
+he knew full well that he should have got into it.
+
+"Yes; if Ellis is his name, I am certain it is him," observed Barber, as
+Ellis drew nearer.  "He was at my last school, and I wish you fellows
+joy of him."
+
+"Why, do you know anything against him?" asked Blackall, eagerly,
+thinking that he might have the satisfaction of annoying Bracebridge,
+and Ellis's other friends.
+
+"Oh! you know we never say anything against a fellow out of school,
+however bad he may be," said Barber, looking virtuous.  "All I can say
+is, he is not the sort of chap I should choose for my associate.  He may
+have altered, you know.  Few fellows remain always the same.  When I see
+a fellow get into rows, smash windows, screw off knockers, and show that
+he has some spirit, I always have hopes of him; but that fellow was
+always a sneak, and, in the end, proved something a great deal worse.
+I'll not say anything more about him."
+
+"Oh, I wish you would!" said Blackall.  "If there is anything against a
+fellow, I like to know it.  I am rather particular in my company; and
+though I do not associate with him now, I might be tempted to do so if
+he came back some week with a box full of grub, or with anything else
+worth having."
+
+This sally of wit was fully appreciated by his auditors, who laughed
+heartily, or I should rather say loudly, at it.
+
+Poor Ellis meantime had been so intent on watching the game, that he had
+not observed their approach, till the voices reached his ear.  He looked
+up, and then he saw Barber watching him, with a sneer on his
+countenance.  He recognised him at once as his old school-fellow.
+
+Bracebridge was standing near.  "I'll go and speak with him at once," he
+said quietly, "It may be that he will not think it necessary to repeat
+the vile story that was told of me at our former school.  If I pass him
+by as a stranger, it will make him more inclined to think ill of me."
+
+Ellis acted according to the impulse of the moment.  He walked up to
+Barber, and, putting out his hand, said, "Don't you remember me,
+Barber!"
+
+"Perfectly," said Barber, with great emphasis, and a sneer on his lips.
+"One remembers people sometimes whom one would rather forget."
+
+"What do you mean, Barber?" said Ellis.  "You are not so cruel, so
+unjust, as--"
+
+"Put what construction you like on my meaning," answered Barber.  "I am
+a straightforward fellow.  I say what I think; and of all the characters
+I have ever met, I hate most that of a canting hypocrite.  I never trust
+such an one.  You know best what such a fellow is capable of doing."
+
+Ellis stood by listening calmly, but not unmoved, to this cutting
+speech.  He turned pale and red, and seemed to have difficulty in
+drawing his breath.  He looked for a moment imploringly at Barber, but
+saw only a sneer on his countenance; so gulping down all the feelings
+which were rising in his bosom, and which, had he allowed them to break
+forth, would not have tended to harmony, he turned away and rejoined
+Bracebridge, who was waiting for him.
+
+"There he goes," sneered Barber.  "Just like him.  Had any fellow spoken
+to me as I did to him, I would have knocked him over with my golf club;
+but he did not even move his hand as if he would have struck me."
+
+After hearing these remarks, Blackall, Dawson, and other boys of that
+set, thought Barber a very fine spirited fellow, and came to the
+conclusion that Ellis was not only a regular sneak, but that he was
+probably a convicted thief, or liar, or something fully as bad, if not
+worse.  He said nothing after rejoining his friends, but his spirits
+sank lower than Bracebridge had ever before seen them.  He seemed
+incapable even of doing his ordinary lessons in the way he had been
+accustomed to get through them.  Even the Doctor and the masters
+observed the change.  By degrees, too, many of the boys with whom he had
+been accustomed to join in their various games began to look shy at him.
+One declined to play with him, and then another, and another, till at
+last he found that he was cut by the whole school, with the exception of
+the three or four friends who generally sided with Bracebridge--Buttar,
+Bouldon, Gregson, and little Eden.  Poor fellow! it was a sore trial.
+Whatever the fault of which he had been guilty, he had long ago heartily
+repented of it.  Of that, at all events, there could be no doubt.  It
+seemed hard that he should be compelled to suffer, supposing even that
+he was guilty, when a new sphere was open to him; and the better
+disposed boys, even though they mostly went with the tide, could not
+help feeling that Barber had acted in a very ungenerous way in bringing
+tales from one school to another, and in injuring the character of one
+who had always proved himself so harmless and kind-hearted a fellow.
+
+Bracebridge did not hesitate to show his opinion of Barber on all
+occasions, and took every opportunity of marking his regard for Ellis,
+and in showing his disbelief of the tales current against him.  Thus the
+last half of the year drew on, and winter was once more approaching.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+AN ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE FAGGING--A GAME AT HOCKEY.
+
+The half-year sped on much as usual.  Not a gleam of sunshine burst
+forth to dispel the clouds which hung lowering over the fair fame of
+poor Ellis.  He was either too proud or too indifferent as to what was
+said of him to take any notice of the various tales--different versions
+of the same story--flying about the school to his discredit.  Now and
+then Bracebridge heard of them, but he invariably replied that he
+believed them to be utterly false, and he always treated the boy who
+ventured to begin to narrate them to him with the scorn which a
+tale-bearer deserves.  The tales at last reached the ears of the
+masters, but in so indefinite a form that they could take no notice of
+them, much less report them to the Doctor; but they had the bad effect
+of making them look upon poor Ellis as a black sheep, and of inducing
+them to treat him with suspicion.  Wrong motives were assigned to all he
+did, and, with one exception, no one spoke kindly or encouragingly to
+him.  The exception was Monsieur Malin.  Ellis's clever contrivance with
+the kite and carriage had won his regard; and though, to be sure, his
+reasoning might have been very incorrect, he could not fancy that so
+ingenious a boy could have been guilty of the conduct alleged against
+him, and which had brought him into such general disrepute.  He talked
+the subject over with Bracebridge, who was delighted to find that Ellis
+had so powerful a friend.  Monsieur Malin determined, therefore, to
+support Ellis.  He called him up one day, and asked him if he would like
+to learn French.
+
+Ellis said, "Yes, of him; if he could get leave."
+
+"Well, if you cannot get leave, I will teach you myself in the
+play-hours, or at any odd times.  You stay in so much, and play so
+little with the other boys, that you will not mind that, I know," he
+said, in a kind encouraging voice.  "You will learn soon, I know, and
+then we will walk together, and talk French, and you will learn more
+rapidly than any one else."
+
+"Thank you, sir! indeed, thank you!" said poor Ellis, the tears coming
+into his eyes.  "It is very kind to take so much trouble with a person
+like me.  I will do whatever you tell me."
+
+"Then write home, and get leave to learn, and I will tell you what you
+shall do in the meantime," replied the French master.  "Get into your
+head as large a vocabulary of words as you can collect.  Put down in a
+little pocket-book the French and English of everything you can think
+of.  Thus: write down, a boy, a man, a book, a desk, and I will show you
+how to pronounce them properly.  Here is a book; accept it from me; I
+got it on purpose for you.  Now write down a boy; now the French,
+garcon.  The _c_ you hear is soft.  Roll the _r_ well in your mouth.
+Repeat it frequently."  Monsieur Malin made him write down numerous
+other words, and repeated them over to him frequently till he had caught
+their exact sounds.  "Now, my boy, you have learned your first French
+lesson," he observed.  "Every day add as many words as these to your
+vocabulary.  Begin with the substantives; go on to the adjectives, next
+the verbs; then study the construction of the language; the simple rules
+of grammar; and lastly, in the same manner that you have learned single
+words, collect the idioms of the language.  Read constantly aloud, and
+learn by heart interesting portions of modern French writings especially
+the speeches of the best orators of the present day, and I can promise
+you that in a very short time you will become a very fair French
+scholar."
+
+Ellis saw the wisdom of Monsieur Malin's advice, and implicitly followed
+it.  Bracebridge helped him, and they in a short time were able to
+converse together.  In the meantime Ellis got leave to learn French, and
+some of the boys were very much surprised, and rather indignant, to find
+him put in one of the upper classes.
+
+"That's the fellow who pretended that he did not know French, and has
+all the time been listening to us, and overhearing all we said,"
+remarked Blackall, whose own knowledge of the language was so limited
+that, at all events, it would have puzzled a Frenchman to have
+comprehended him.  "It's just like the sneak," he continued.  "I wonder
+how a chap like Bracebridge can patronise him, or how a big fellow like
+Lemon can condescend to speak to him."
+
+Though these remarks, as it was intended they should, reached the ears
+both of Ernest and Lemon, they took no notice of them, and thus they did
+Ellis no further harm.  It is very sad that I should not have to recount
+the pleasant sayings and doings of my schoolfellows; but as in the world
+the worst actions of people often come most prominently forward, so they
+do at school, and generally make the deepest impression.  I know,
+however, that even at this time there were many pleasant things said,
+and amusing things done; that there was much good fellowship among us;
+that we entered into our games with thorough heartiness; that we made
+very satisfactory progress in our studies, and were generally happy and
+contented.  Indeed, the school was thoroughly well-conducted and ably
+ruled.  The dark spots I have been picturing arose entirely from the bad
+tempers, dispositions, and ill-conduct of those ruled.  So it is with
+this world at large.  It is admirably ordered, beautifully fashioned,
+ruled with unbounded love, regularity, and justice.  Men, and men alone,
+have made all the blots and stains to be found in it; they have caused
+all the irregularities and disorders which abound; all the misery, all
+the suffering, all the wretchedness; we see they have themselves and
+themselves only to blame; that is to say, man alone is at fault; man,
+and sin which man introduced, beguiled by Satan.  But up, boys!  Do not
+suppose that you are to yield to this state of things; to say that so
+you find them, and that so you will let them be.  No; far from that.
+You are sent into the world to fight against them, to overcome them, to
+strive with Satan, the prince of sin and lies, and all abominations,
+with all your might and main.  It is a glorious contest; it is worth
+living for, if we did but understand it aright.  The knights who went
+out, as we are told of old, armed cap-a-pie, to do battle with
+enchanters, and dragons, and monsters of all sorts, had not half so
+glorious, so difficult, so perilous a contest to engage in.  The writers
+who invented those fables had, I suspect, a pretty clear notion of what
+is the true destiny of man.  The enchanters were the spirits of evil;
+their necromancies the works of Satan; the dragons and monsters, the
+ills, the difficulties, the obstacles to all good works which have to be
+overcome.  It was not the fashion to speak out great truths plainly in
+those days, as it has happily become at the present time; and so
+philosophers who held them wrapped them up in fables and allegories, the
+true import of which only the wisest and most sagacious could
+comprehend.  The great truth that all men are sent into this world to
+work, to fight, to strive with might and main, the Doctor tried to
+impress on his pupils.  He found it difficult, however, to make them
+understand the matter.  Many of them thought that they knew better than
+he did on that subject.  Some of them had been told at home, by ignorant
+servants or injudicious friends, that they were born heirs to good
+fortunes; that they were to go to school, and be good boys, and get
+through their lessons as well as they could, and then they would go to
+Oxford or Cambridge, because most gentlemen of any pretension went
+there; and then that they would be able to live at home and amuse
+themselves for the rest of their lives.  Of course, such boys thought
+that what the Doctor was saying could have nothing at all to do with
+them, and could only refer to the children of poor people, who had
+nothing to give them.  The Doctor, suspecting what was in their
+thoughts, surprised them very much by propounding the doctrine that no
+one was exempt from the rule; that all mankind, from the sovereign on
+his throne to the peasant in the field, are born to labour--to labour
+with the head or to labour with the hands, often with both; or if not,
+strictly speaking, with the hands, at all events with the mind and body.
+
+"And what, think you, is the labour all men ought to engage in?  What is
+the great present object of labour?" asked the Doctor.  "Why, I reply,
+to do good to our fellow-creatures, to ameliorate their condition by
+every means in our power."
+
+No boys took in these truths more eagerly than did Bracebridge and
+Ellis.  They talked them over and over, and warmed with the glorious
+theme.  To the former they were not new.  His father had propounded the
+same to him long ago, but the Doctor's remarks gave them additional
+strength and freshness.
+
+"It is grand, indeed," exclaimed Ernest, "to feel what victories we have
+to achieve, what enemies to overthrow; that if we do our duty we can
+never be entirely defeated; and that, though success may be delayed, we
+must be victorious at last; that there can be no hanging down of the
+hands, no lassitude, no idleness, no want of occupation through life, no
+want of excitement.  I don't care what grumblers may say; I maintain,
+with my father, that this is a very glorious world to live in, with all
+its faults; and still more should we be grateful that we are placed in
+it, when we remember that it is the stepping-stone to eternity."
+
+Ernest was, perhaps, somewhat beyond his years in his remarks, but it
+must be remembered that he was an unusual boy, and that there were not
+many like him.  Still he was but a boy.  Anybody observing him would
+probably have remarked that he was a good-looking, intelligent boy, but
+might have failed to discover any super-excellencies in him.  Indeed I
+think that I have before remarked that he owed his success at school to
+the fact, that all the talents he possessed by nature had been
+judiciously cultivated, and allowed a full and free growth.  Certainly
+no boy stood higher in the estimation both of his master and
+schoolfellows.  He could not help discovering this, and he resolved by
+all means to maintain and deserve their good opinion.  He had sometimes
+a difficult task in keeping to his resolution.
+
+I have said that Blackall for some weeks had appeared to be much less
+dictatorial and inclined to bully; but by degrees his former habits
+returned with greater force, from having been put under some restraint
+for a time.  Ellis and Eden, and even Bouldon and Buttar, came in for a
+share of his ill-treatment; so did a new boy, John Dryden by name, a
+sturdy, independent little fellow, who, for his size, was as strong as
+he was brave, but, of course, could not compete with a boy of so much
+greater bulk and weight.
+
+A considerable number of fellows vowed that they would stand this
+conduct no longer; yet what could they do?  Blackall alone might have
+been managed; but several big fellows had united with him, and had taken
+it into their heads that they should like to introduce fagging.  They
+got, indeed, two or three fellows--Dawson, Barber, and others--to
+undertake to be fags, just to set the system going, those young
+gentlemen hoping very soon to become masters themselves.  They talked
+very big about the matter; they thought it would be a very fine thing:
+their school was first-rate as it was, and if fagging were introduced it
+would be fully equal to any public school.  Of course, the affair was to
+be kept a great secret.  There could be no doubt that the Doctor would
+approve of it ultimately, but at first he might be startled; though he
+never hesitated to introduce any alterations which were improvements, he
+might possibly look upon fagging without that reverence which it
+deserved as a time-honoured institution.  He could not fail to
+acknowledge that fagging was a very good thing; but then his school was
+not a public school, however first-rate it might be as a private
+establishment; and he might not wish to make it like a public school.
+Thus the important subject was discussed for some time, till at last it
+was decided that it would be wiser to begin quietly, at the same time in
+due form.  The big fellows who had resolved to be the masters determined
+to draw up a paper, which the intended fags were to sign, agreeing to do
+duty and to serve their masters as fags, according to the custom
+established at all public and first-rate schools.  Barber, Dawson, and
+other advocates of the system, signed the precious document willingly
+enough, and they managed to get some twenty other boys to do the same.
+
+But when it was shown to Buttar and Bouldon, they turned it over and
+over, and asked what it meant.
+
+"Oh, don't you know?" exclaimed Dawson.  "It's a plan we have got up for
+becoming a public school."
+
+"I'll tell you what," answered Buttar, bursting into a fit of laughter,
+"I look upon the affair as a bit of arrant tom-foolery; and so you may
+tell the donkeys who drew it up."
+
+Dawson grew very red; but he had a respect for Buttar's knuckles, and so
+he held his tongue.  Bouldon had, meantime, recognised Blackall's
+handwriting, and having a considerable amount of contempt for those
+whose signatures were attached, he exhibited it in an unmistakable,
+though certainly an unrefined manner, by holding up the paper, and
+spitting into the middle of it.  Then he folded it up, and crammed it
+into Dawson's pocket.  Dawson and he had had a set-to fight a little
+time before, and though Dawson was the biggest fellow of the two, he had
+ultimately declined continuing the combat.  The action performed by
+Bouldon was equivalent to a declaration of war to the knife with
+Blackall and all the big fellows who supported the system he wished to
+introduce.  Dawson turned redder than ever, and looked very fierce at
+him; but Tom closed his mouth, planted his feet firmly on the ground,
+and doubling his fists, said--
+
+"You'd better not attempt it, Dickey; you know me now."
+
+Dawson did know him, and so he blustered out--
+
+"You're a beastly fellow, that I know; and so I'll go and tell Blackall
+what you say."
+
+"Go, Dickey, and say I sent you," cried Bouldon; and, undaunted by the
+threat which had been uttered, he bestowed a parting kick of very
+considerable force on the portion of Dickey's body then turned towards
+him.  Dawson ran off, vowing vengeance.
+
+"You shouldn't have done that, Bouldon," said Buttar, who was a very
+gentlemanly, refined fellow.  "The actions were expressive, and could
+leave no manner of doubt as to what our course of action must be; but
+perhaps we might have succeeded better had we left them in doubt, and
+waited till they commence operations."
+
+"I dare say you are right, Buttar," said Bouldon; "but, in truth, all my
+English spirit was roused within me at the preposterous notion of those
+few big fellows proposing all of a sudden to make slaves of the rest of
+the school.  However, what is to be done now?"
+
+"Let us go and talk to Bracebridge, and hear what he says," said Buttar.
+
+They soon found Bracebridge, and told him all that had occurred.  He was
+just as indignant as Tom was, and he could not help laughing at the way
+in which he had exhibited his feelings, though he agreed with Buttar
+that a less demonstrative mode of proceeding might have been wiser.  He
+was decidedly of opinion that immediate steps should be taken to put
+a stop to the proceedings of the big fellows, and that a
+counter-resolution should be drawn up, and sent round for the signature
+of those boys who had resolved not in any way to submit to fagging.  He
+and Buttar immediately went into the school-room, and drew up the paper
+which they considered met the object.  It was very temperate, and
+couched in the most simple language, as such documents always should be
+to be effectual.  It ran, as far as I remember, much in the following
+words:--
+
+"We, the undersigned, understanding that an attempt is being made by
+some of the big boys to introduce a system of fagging into the school,
+bind ourselves to resist such a proceeding by every means in our power,
+and under no consideration to obey any boy who may order any of us to
+fag for him."
+
+"That will do," observed Bracebridge.  "The sentence might be better
+rounded, but the document is short and explicit.  We will see what
+effect it will have.  Let Dawson have a sight of it before it is
+generally signed.  Here, you and I will sign it, to show from whom it
+emanates.  They will not begin to try on their tricks upon us, I
+suspect.  They will not know who else has signed it; and we will put the
+little fellows up how to act, as circumstances may show us to be most
+advisable."
+
+"Capital!" exclaimed Buttar, affixing his signature in a clear bold hand
+to the document.  "Would it not be better to tell Lemon what we have
+done?"
+
+"I think not," said Ernest.  "The resolution emanates from us, so let us
+carry it out.  There is nothing like independence and freedom of action
+to ensure success.  Lemon will not wish to make anybody fag for him; but
+being a big fellow, he may not see the matter in the same light we do.
+If we bravely resist the attempt, he is much more likely to assist us in
+crushing it at the end, than if we were to go whining to him now for aid
+and advice."
+
+Buttar agreed in this point also with Ernest, and undertook to let
+Dawson immediately have a look at the document.  Dawson said he should
+like to show it to some of the big fellows.
+
+"Catch a weasel asleep, and draw his teeth," answered Buttar.  "No, no,
+Dickey!  You may take a copy of it in pencil, and show it to anybody you
+like.  You may say also, that all the school, with the exception of a
+few miserable sneaks, like some who shall be nameless, will sign it and
+stick by it.  And now, just go and tell the fellows what you have seen."
+
+Off went Dawson with the copy of the protest to his masters.  They
+laughed scornfully.
+
+"That upstart, conceited young monkey, Bracebridge, is at the bottom of
+all mischief," observed Blackall; and the opinion was echoed by two or
+three other fellows.
+
+"I'll tell you what," said Blackall; "the only way will be to begin
+fagging at once, and to crush this proposed rebellion in the bud.  We
+must parcel out the boys of the lower classes, so that each of us may
+have four or five fags a-piece.  You see we have already each of us got
+a willing fag.  They shall be head fags, and assist to keep the rest in
+order.  We'll tell them that, and then they will help us to bring the
+rest under subjection."
+
+Blackall's plan was willingly assented to by the rest of the big boys
+who had entered into this conspiracy against the liberties of their
+younger schoolfellows; and minor details being arranged, they considered
+everything ripe for carrying out their plans.  All this time neither the
+Doctor nor masters suspected that anything out of the way was taking
+place.  During the school hours matters went on in their ordinary
+routine.  Some of the boys, who had been thinking over what was to be
+done, were less attentive than usual, and had more faults in their
+exercises.  Games were got up and carried on by the boys with their
+accustomed spirit.  Hockey and football had now come in.  The Doctor did
+not prohibit any games, but he insisted that all should be played with
+good temper; and a few he only allowed to be played in the presence of a
+master.  Hockey was one of these, and consequently it was not often
+played, except when a large number could join in it together.  A great
+game of hockey was to be played one Saturday afternoon in November.
+Blackall came forward as the chief on one side.  He called over the
+names of a number of boys, but only a few of the younger ones joined
+him.  He remarked that they were entirely Dawson's companions.  Another
+big fellow stood up to lead on the opposite side, but so few consented
+to play that he was obliged to throw up his leadership.  Then
+Bracebridge, urged by several standing round him, stepped forward, and
+he instantly had forty or fifty boys ranged under him.  Those who had
+previously ranged themselves under the other big fellow, Haddon, went
+over to Blackall.
+
+The sides were now more equal, but still Blackall had not enough on his
+side.  He cried out for followers, but still no one would go over to
+him.  Bracebridge had at last to send off some of his side to make both
+parties equal.  There were thus about forty on each side.  Everybody
+knows what a hockey-stick is like.  It is a tough fellow, made of oak or
+crab-apple tree, and turned up at the end in a crook, flattened somewhat
+at the convex side.  It is a formidable weapon, and it is very
+disagreeable to receive a blow from it on the shins.  In some places a
+cork bung is used, but I have always seen and played with a light ball
+made on purpose, and covered with leather.  We were very particular at
+Grafton Hall about our hockey balls.  Though late in the year, the
+weather was fine, so we played in the cricket-field.  It was a fine wide
+extent.  A line drawn twenty yards in advance of the hedge on either
+side formed the respective boundaries.  It was nearly due north and
+south.  Ernest's party were on the north side, and their goal
+consequently on the south side of the field.  Bracebridge and Blackall
+tossed up to settle which side was to begin.  "Heads!" cried Ernest.
+The shilling came down with the head up.  It was considered low by the
+big boys to employ halfpence on such occasions.  Blackall looked daggers
+at his opponent.  Bracebridge took the ball, and placed it about a third
+of the distance away from his line.  His side were arranged behind and
+on either hand of him.  He planted his feet firmly, and lifting his
+stick above his head, cried "Play!" and, looking first at the point to
+which he intended to send it, gave a steady blow to the ball.  Blackall
+and his side watched its approach, and rushed forward "to take it up,"
+or, in other words, to impede its progress, and to send it back in the
+direction whence it had come.  They were boldly met by Ernest's party,
+who once more "took up" the ball and drove it energetically back.
+
+All Ernest's party were young boys.  Few were more than a year or two
+older than he was, and scarcely any were taller or more active; indeed,
+he was the acknowledged best player of his set.  On Blackall's side, on
+the contrary, were a number of big fellows, and all those who had
+undertaken to act as fags, as well as other hangers-on and chums of the
+big fellows, patronised especially by them because they were well
+supplied by injudicious friends at home with hampers of cakes and game,
+and hams and tongues.  I've heard people say, "I'll send poor Tom a
+basket of good things, because it will enable him to gain the friendship
+of some of the bigger boys."  Now, I will tell those silly friends that
+it will do no such thing.  It will make some of the worst boys make up
+to him as long as his grub lasts, or while they think that he is likely
+to get any more; but they will do him much more harm than good, and
+their friendship he will not get.  No; send a boy to school fitted as
+much as he can be, and let him win friends and work his way onward by
+his own intrinsic merits; but never let him think of buying favour with
+gifts of any sort.  But we are in the middle of a game of hockey.  It
+was, however, necessary to explain the class of boys who were ranged on
+either side.  Those hockey-sticks looked formidable weapons as they were
+flourished about in the hands of the opposing parties.  Again Blackall's
+party met the ball; a dozen hockey-sticks were at it, and one boy,
+calling off the others, struck it so clear a blow that he nearly sent it
+up to the goal across Ernest's line.  However, he, Buttar, Bouldon, and
+some other of the most fearless and active boys rushed at it with their
+sticks, regardless of all the blows aimed at them by their opponents,
+and drove it back again into the middle of the ground.  Then on they
+flew to drive it back still farther.  Both parties met in the centre.
+There was a fierce tussle.  The hockey-sticks kept striking each other,
+but none struck the ball.  Blackall had gone farther back to catch the
+ball, should it be driven past the front rank of his party.  Ernest had
+retired behind his friends for the same purpose.  His eye, however,
+never left the ball.  He saw a stick uplifted which he thought would
+strike it.  So it did, and the ball came flying towards him.  His quick
+eye saw it coming, and with unerring aim he struck it over the heads of
+both parties, who, not knowing what had become of it, broke asunder, and
+enabled him to pass between them.  He reached the neighbourhood of the
+ball at the same moment that Blackall, having seen it coming, got close
+up to it.  They eyed the ball, and they eyed each other for some
+moments; their eyes flashed fire.
+
+"Out of my way, you rebellious young scamp!" shouted Blackall, irritated
+by what he considered Ernest's daring coolness.  Ernest did not even
+look at him, but threw himself into a position to strike the ball.  His
+eye was at the same time on Blackall's stick.  He saw him lift it to
+strike, not the ball, but him.  He had not learned the use of the
+single-stick for nothing, and throwing himself back, he warded off the
+blow, and then, quick as lightning, struck the ball, and sent it past
+his cowardly opponent.  Blackall, not in the least ashamed of himself,
+attempted to repeat the blow while Ernest was unable to defend himself;
+but before his stick descended another actor had come into the field.
+It was Ellis, who had been close at hand, and now springing forward, he
+interposed his own stick, and saved his friend from the effects of the
+blow, drawing, of course, all Blackall's rage upon himself.  Had any
+body seen his countenance, they could not have failed to observe the
+smile of satisfaction which lighted it up as Blackall showered heaps of
+virulent abuse on his head.
+
+"Go on, I don't fear you; remember that," said Ellis quietly; and then
+hurried on, in the hopes of assisting Ernest to drive the ball on to the
+goal.  The keen eye of Monsieur Malin, who was the master on duty on
+that afternoon, had observed this little piece of by-play.  He noted it,
+but said nothing at the time.  It required all Ernest's activity and the
+energetic support of his party to make head against the big, strong
+fellows of the opposite side.  When he had very nearly driven the ball
+home to the goal, several of them threw themselves before him, and drove
+it some way back again; but Buttar, Bouldon, Gregson, and some others
+had now come up, and even little Eden rushed heroically in to stop its
+course and to drive it back, so that Ernest might once more get it
+within the power of his unerring stick.  The big fellows of Blackall's
+party had rushed on, separating widely, and not observing, or rather
+regarding, little Eden, whom had they seen they would not have supposed
+daring enough to attempt to hit the ball.  He did not hit it very far,
+certainly; but yet his stroke was one of the most important which had
+been given, for it enabled Tom Bouldon to send it up very nearly to the
+goal.  Ernest saw it coming.  He sprang forward; and almost before it
+had stopped, his stick had caught it and sent it triumphantly over the
+line.  The big fellows were astonished when they saw how and by whom
+they had been defeated.  Blackall especially was enraged.
+
+"That young scamp, Bouldon, and that little shrimp, Eden, ought not to
+be allowed to play.  There is no guarding against their sneaking,
+underhand ways," he observed.  I believe, indeed, he made use of still
+more opprobrious epithets, with which I do not wish to defile my pages.
+Even some of his own side laughed at his anger, but still no one thought
+of rebuking him.
+
+"Never mind, we'll beat them well the next turn," answered Rodwell, a
+big, good-natured fellow, on his side.  "Now, young Bracebridge, you,
+sir, look out for yourself.  We are not going to let you run over the
+course in this way again."
+
+"Oh, we are not afraid of you; we shall do our best to win again, at all
+events," said Ernest, taking up the ball, and walking off with it to his
+side of the ground.  "Now look out, old fellows."
+
+"What's that the impudent young scamp says?" exclaimed Blackall.  "We'll
+pay him and his sneaking set off before long, so let him look out."
+
+Ernest heard what was said, but took no notice of the remark.  He
+appeared to be entirely absorbed in considering in what direction he
+should drive the ball.  He eyed the position of the various players,
+both on the other side and on his own.  He called Bouldon up to him, and
+whispered various directions to him.  Bouldon ran off, and immediately
+several of his side changed their places.
+
+"Ah! that boy was born to become a general," observed Monsieur Malin,
+who was looking on at the game with deep interest.
+
+The opposite side were rather astonished.  They were not accustomed to
+so systematic a way of playing, still less to see directions issued by
+one boy so implicitly obeyed by others.  They could not make it out.
+Ernest lifted up his stick, and struck the ball.  Off it flew in a
+direction away from all the best players on the opposite side, but some
+of the most active of his party ran on, and hitting it before them, one
+after the other, drove it right through the ranks of their opponents.
+So quickly did one striker succeed the other, that none of Blackall's
+boys could get a stroke.  He ran to the rescue, but this was one of the
+many occasions, as he frequently found to his cost, when mere animal
+strength could avail but little.  The ball was carried on, struck
+rapidly past him, followed up by relays of Ernest's friends, and finally
+sent by Buttar, accompanied by a loud cheer from all his side, over the
+boundary.  Such a victory could not have been expected under ordinary
+circumstances, had even the big boys been the conquerors, but the latter
+were doubly astounded, till Rodwell sang out--
+
+"Bravo, young Bracebridge!  You have had a lucky chance, but we'll lick
+you soundly next time, so look out."
+
+"Chance! yes, it was only chance," repeated Blackall, glad to find a
+plausible excuse for his defeat.  A third round was to be played, but
+the younger party were so cocky that they proposed having four rounds.
+To this, of course, the others were too glad to consent, under the
+belief that they could at all events make it a drawn battle; while
+Ernest's friends gloried in the hopes of beating their big opponents
+three to one.
+
+Blackall having observed that Ernest placed his men according to a
+certain plan, thought he would do the same.  He, therefore, with not a
+small amount of pretentious formality, ordered the boys on his side to
+look out in different directions, and to follow a certain course.  Some
+went where they were told, but others proceeded to where they themselves
+considered that they should be better placed, and instead of obeying the
+orders of their leader, acted according to their own judgment, which, to
+do them justice, was fully as good as that of Blackall.  Bracebridge
+watched the proceedings of his opponents, and smiled as he pointed them
+out to Buttar.  He very soon made his own arrangements.  Blackall
+thought that he was going to act precisely as he had done in the
+previous game.  He had no such intentions.  Handing the ball to Bouldon,
+he told him to strike it up, while he, Buttar, Ellis, Gregson, and
+several others went scattering up before him.  The big fellows looked at
+him, and gathered thickly in his front.  They took no notice of Ellis,
+who was away to the right.  Bouldon looked towards Bracebridge; then,
+turning suddenly, struck the ball in the direction of Ellis, who
+followed it up ably as it came by him, and turned it towards Buttar.
+Buttar had in the meantime broken through the big fellows and though
+several of them, hurrying on, tried by reiterated blows to stop it, he
+carried it once more successfully up to the goal.  Blackall and some of
+his party literally stamped with rage at the idea of being beaten three
+times running by the younger boys, "At all events, that puppy
+Bracebridge had nothing to do with the affair this time," he exclaimed,
+showing the feeling which animated him.
+
+Ernest's party cheered again and again--they could not help it.  Both
+sides agreed to play out the fourth game.  Ernest managed his friends
+equally well as at first, but his opponents were more alive to his
+tactics.  The battle was very hotly contested; several times he got the
+ball nearly to the goal, and it was again driven back.  This game had
+already taken as long to play as the other three--defeat would be almost
+as honourable to the younger party as victory--they kept up the game by
+sheer activity and good play; not that the bigger boys played ill, but
+they wanted combination and a good leader.  Blackall had now completely
+lost his head and his temper.  Once or twice when Bracebridge came near
+he felt very much inclined to strike him, but Ernest watched his eye,
+and was very quickly out of his way.  At last, Blackall found himself
+with the ball directly before him; he lifted up his stick, expecting to
+strike it right ahead up to the goal.  He looked at the point before him
+to which he intended to send the ball, and he looked at his stick, and
+he looked at the ball, but he did not look on one side--had he done so,
+he would have perceived Bracebridge springing along with his stick ready
+to strike.  Strike he did too, and away flew the ball out of Blackall's
+very clutches.  Blackall's rage now burst forth--twice he struck Ernest
+across the shins, and though the latter managed to break the force of
+the blows, he was much hurt.  Then the bully lifted up his stick and
+struck Ernest on the arm more than once.  He was about to repeat the
+blow on his victim's head, and the effect would have been very serious,
+when he felt his own ears pulled lustily.
+
+"Ah, you big coward--is dat de vay you play your games?  I'm ashamed dat
+any boy at de school vare I teach should behave so," exclaimed the voice
+of Monsieur Malin.  "If I do not take you instantly before de Doctor it
+is because it is too bad to tell him of, so I will pull your ears
+myself.  Bah!"
+
+Right heartily did the good-natured French master tug away at the
+bully's ears till they were red to the very roots.  He knew that he
+himself was doing what in spirit was prohibited, for no master was
+allowed to strike or punish a boy.  He might have argued that pulling
+the ears was not striking, and that punishing meant flogging or caning.
+Blackall on another occasion might have resisted, but now he felt that
+he had been guilty of so cowardly an action that no one would support
+him, so he submitted tamely to the infliction.
+
+"Go, get out of de ground, you shall not play--you are not worthy of
+it," continued the French master, pulling him away by the
+before-spoken-of appendages of his head.
+
+Meantime the games went on.  Ernest, though much hurt, tried to exhibit
+no symptoms of his suffering.  He and his friends strove hard, but the
+big fellows resolved not to lose this last game as they had done the
+others, and finally by strenuous exertions drove the ball up to the
+goal.  Never was a game at hockey at our school more hotly contested.  A
+great deal came out of it.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+THE BULLY'S PUNISHMENT.
+
+That game of hockey caused a great deal of ill-feeling among the less
+generous and most ill-disposed of the big fellows towards the younger
+ones who had so thoroughly beaten them.  Blackall bullied more than
+ever, and several others imitated his example.  They had also already
+begun to carry out their precious scheme of fagging.  Some of the little
+fellows thought it very good fun at first to obey a bigger one, provided
+he did not order them to do anything very difficult, or likely to bring
+punishment down upon themselves.  Grown bold by impunity, the faggers
+resolved to divide the boys of the classes below them among themselves
+as fags by lots.  Of course it was the very worst plan that could have
+been devised; indeed, tyrants generally do form very clumsy and very bad
+schemes for keeping those weaker than themselves in subjection.  The
+younger boys might willingly enough have served older friends who had
+been kind to them and had protected them, but it was preposterous to
+suppose that without force they would obey any big boy who might choose
+to order them.  It was some time before this scheme became known to
+Ernest Bracebridge and his friends.  As he never listened to the tales
+and tittle-tattle of the school--indeed, he found that the current
+stories were generally absurd exaggerations of the truth--he might have
+remained some time longer ignorant, had not Bouldon come to him one
+afternoon, after school, in a state of great indignation, saying that
+Blackall had called him up and ordered him to go to a shop two miles
+off, to buy him a tongue, some rolls, and other eatables.
+
+"When I expostulated, he had the audacity to tell me that I should clean
+his shoes if he wished it," exclaimed Tom, with a savage laugh.  "And
+what do you think? that I was his fag, that I was awarded to him, and
+that he intended to work me thoroughly?  I asked him by whom I was
+awarded to him?  He replied, by a vote of my seniors and betters; and
+that if I did not work willingly I should be compelled to serve him by
+force.  I don't remember what I said at first--I know that he called me
+an impudent young scamp for my pains; I concluded by telling him that I
+should consult you and Buttar and other fellows, and that if you
+consented to be fags, I should not have a word to say."
+
+"You were perfectly right--I am glad you said so," observed Ernest.
+"Find Buttar, and Ellis, and Gregson, and we'll talk the matter over.
+We'll mention the subject to Lemon; I know full well that he will not
+wish to fag any boy, yet perhaps for the sake of a quiet life he may not
+be inclined to interfere with the plans of the other big fellows.
+However, I do not want him to interfere; whatever we do, we should do
+ourselves; fortunately, we are well prepared for the emergency.  We
+number fifty fellows staunch and true.  Go round and tell them to be
+prepared--that something is going to happen.  That will put them on the
+alert.  When Blackall finds that you have not obeyed his orders, and
+that he will have to go supperless to bed, he will probably attack you.
+Tell Eden to watch you--never for a moment to lose sight of you, and
+directly he sees Blackall attack you, to come up and tell me--I'll have
+all our fellows ready, and we'll rush to the rescue."
+
+"Oh, excellent," exclaimed Bouldon, rubbing his hands; "I wish that he'd
+just begin trying it on.  Won't I aggravate him by what I say and do;
+I'll tell him my mind more than he ever before heard it in his life."
+
+"No, no, don't enrage him; that's not right," observed Bracebridge; but
+Tom, as he went off, shook his head as if he intended to follow his own
+ideas on the subject.
+
+While Bouldon, followed at a distance by Eden, strolled about the
+playground and fields as usual, hoping that Blackall would meet him,
+Ernest went round to a number of boys who had combined with him to
+resist any aggression which the big fellows might make upon their
+rights, and told them to keep together, some in the gymnastic court, and
+the rest in the fencing-room.  Meantime he and Buttar, and a few others
+on whose judgment he most relied, met together and consulted as to the
+best course to pursue under the present emergency.
+
+"I've an idea," said Buttar; "let us get some ropes and bind our tyrant.
+He dare not interfere with me now, but I am determined that he shall
+not treat others as he treated me."
+
+Some ropes were easily found which had been used to lash up their
+play-boxes.  Ernest and Buttar were to be the leaders.  Ernest went to
+the fencing-room to take command of the boys there; Buttar to the
+gymnastic court.  They did not remain there idle.  One company began
+twisting and turning and leaping on the poles, while Ernest got his
+followers to practise with their basket-sticks and single-sticks.  Then
+he proposed a drill, and they all fell in and went through their
+exercises with as much precision as if Sergeant Dibble himself had been
+present.  They marched and wheeled, and formed in close order and
+extended order, and various other simple manoeuvres, in very good style.
+While they were thus engaged, Eden rushed into the room, exclaiming,
+"Blackall has caught Bouldon, and is half-killing him; he says that he
+will teach him to disobey his orders.  Haste--haste, or I really believe
+he will do him an injury.  I never saw a fellow in such a rage."
+
+No one needed a second summons.  Bracebridge put himself at the head of
+his companions, who kept their ranks, and, marching out in good order,
+they met the party in the gymnastic court, whom Eden had likewise
+summoned.
+
+"Double quick march," cried Bracebridge; and the two bands rushed on
+towards the extreme end of the grounds, where Eden told them the bully
+had encountered poor Tom.  The spot towards which they were hurrying was
+separated from the rest of the grounds by a thick coppice.  Several tall
+trees grew about it, and it was by far the most secluded place in the
+grounds.  It was a favourite resort in the summer time of some of the
+more studious boys, who went there to read, and, at other seasons,
+Gregson and a few other boys, who were fond of the study of natural
+history, used to go there to search for specimens, as Tom Bouldon used
+to say, of bird's nests, beetles, bees, and wild flowers.  Blackall,
+also, and two or three of his class, occasionally retired there, but
+neither to read nor to study natural history, but to smoke and to drink,
+when he could procure liquor.  Bouldon ascertained that he had gone
+there on this occasion, and, anxious to bring matters to a crisis, went
+round that way, passing directly in front of him.
+
+Blackall, who was sitting alone by himself, looking at the grass, saw
+his shadow slowly pass along before him.  Lifting up his lack-lustre
+eyes, they fell on Tom.  He immediately started up, and seized him by
+the collar.  "Ah, my fine fellow, I've caught you at last, and all
+alone.  I wanted to find you, and now I'll pay you off with a thrashing
+which you will remember to the end of your days."
+
+Bouldon looked up and down to see if anybody was coming to his help.  He
+had missed Eden, who had, however, seen him through the trees in the
+hands of Blackall, and then scampered off as fast as his legs would
+carry him, his imagination somewhat supplying the particulars of the
+thrashing which had not even yet begun.  Bouldon struggled hard to
+release himself when he found that Blackall had got hold of his collar,
+for he had no wish to become a martyr unnecessarily, as he knew from
+experience that his persecutor hit very hard and cruelly whenever he had
+the power.
+
+"I'll give you a chance yet," said Blackall.  "Will you fag for me, or
+will you not?"
+
+"Most certainly not," answered Tom, firmly.  "I'll see you at Jericho,
+and ten thousand leagues further, rather than lift a finger to obey one
+of your commands.  There, you've got my answer."
+
+"Then take that," exclaimed the bully, bestowing a thundering lick on
+poor Tom's ear.  "How do you like the taste of that?  Will you obey me
+now?"
+
+Blackall generally played with his victims as a cat does with a mouse
+before destroying it.
+
+"Not I," answered Tom briefly, compressing his lips.
+
+Another heavy box on the ears followed close upon this answer.
+
+"Will you now?" again asked Blackall.
+
+"No," bawled out Bouldon.
+
+Several cuffs and blows now descended on his head and shoulders.  Again
+Blackall asked him if he would fag.  Bouldon did not deign to answer.
+
+"Do you hear me?  Are you deaf?" thundered out the bully.
+
+Bouldon made not the slightest reply to this question either by word or
+look.  The consequence was that the bully began striking away at him
+right and left, till Tom felt that he was getting very severely
+punished, and he could not help wishing that some relief was at hand.
+He struggled as much as his strength would allow, and at last,
+forgetting all the rules of prudence, he broke away, and instead of
+endeavouring to escape, he clenched his fists and struck at the bully in
+return.  The consequence was, that he was soon knocked down on the
+grass.  He was not very much hurt, so when he saw Blackall about to kick
+him, he sprang up in time to avoid the blow.
+
+"Ah, you arrant coward, to think of kicking a fellow half your size when
+he is on the ground!" he exclaimed, standing at a distance, however, so
+that he might have time to leap out of Blackall's way.  Under any
+circumstances he would not have deigned to run; that is not the fashion
+of any English boys I have ever met.  On the contrary, he was anxious to
+keep near Blackall, and to spin out the time till his friends could
+arrive to his assistance.  He would particularly have wished them to
+find him on the ground, and Blackall engaged in kicking him.  Of course
+Tom's look, and attitude, and words very much increased the exasperation
+of the latter, who now, springing after him, caught him again by the
+collar, and began pummelling him with all his might about the ribs and
+head, till his face was one mass of bumps and bruises.  Still Bouldon
+would not cry out for mercy, or give in.  Whenever he had an opportunity
+he broke away from his persecutor, and once more stood on the defensive,
+returning, when he could, blow for blow.  He was soon, however, again
+knocked down with a blow on the forehead, which almost stunned him.  He
+saw the bully advancing with his foot to kick him.
+
+"Oh, don't, don't; you'll kill me," sang out poor Tom, who really did
+dread the force of the big fellow's heavy shoe, given with the full
+swing of his leg.
+
+Blackall heeded him not, and would have executed his barbarous purpose,
+had he not that instant felt a heavy load fall down on his back, and a
+pair of arms encircling his neck.  He had once before been treated much
+in the same manner, but who or what his present assailant was he could
+not tell.  The nails were long, and the hands not a little grimy, while
+the knees of his assailant kept pressing his ribs in a most unpleasant
+manner.  Blackall's look of horror showed that he fully believed that he
+had been seized by a big baboon, or some monster who might strangle him.
+
+"Now at him again, Tom, and don't let him go till he has promised never
+to attack you more," said a voice, which Blackall recognised as that of
+Gregson.
+
+However, Tom was this time too much hurt to get up, and he lay moaning
+on the grass, anxiously wishing that some one would come to his rescue.
+Gregson had, it appears, been up in a tree hunting for young squirrels
+and various insects.  He had remained a spectator of the fight for some
+time, thinking that he could not do much good by his interference.
+When, however, he saw how hard it was going with Tom, he resolved to go
+to his help.  Descending a tree, he climbed along one of the lower
+branches, from the end of which he had easily dropped down on the
+bully's back.  There he clung, like the old man of the sea who clung to
+the back of Sinbad the sailor.  But, as I have said, Blackall was a very
+powerful fellow, and after he had got over his terror at this sudden
+assault, he used every means to get rid of his assailant.  He could not
+shake him off; and Gregson did not flinch from all the pinches and blows
+behind his back which he received.  At last, Blackall bethought him of
+backing against a tree.  Unfortunately for the young naturalist, one
+with some stout branches grew near, and Blackall backed up to it, till
+he bumped it with such force that he very nearly broke both his back and
+his head, and he was very soon fain to let go.  No sooner was he on the
+ground than the bully vented all his fury on him, and knocking him over
+with a blow of his ox-like fist, kicked and cuffed him till he was even
+in a worse condition than Bouldon.
+
+"I'll teach you to play your pranks on me, you young scoundrel," he
+exclaimed.  "However, you could not have chosen a better place, for
+there is no one likely to come here to interfere with us, and I intend
+to pay you both off in a way you will not fancy, let me tell you that.
+My fists are rather heavy, so I do not intend to use them, lest I should
+kill you outright, but I have a colt about me, of which you shall now
+have a taste."  Saying this, the bully pulled out of his pocket a piece
+of hard rope, covered from one end to the other with hard knots.
+Seizing poor Gregson, who lay on the grass even more hurt than Bouldon,
+Blackall dragged him along, and placed him near his friend, and then
+flourishing his formidable colt, was about to make it descend first on
+the back of one and then on that of the other of his victims, when a
+loud shout arrested his arm, and, looking up, he saw from both ends of
+the glade a strong body of boys, in military order, advancing towards
+him.
+
+"Hold your hand, you big coward.  If you dare strike either of those
+fellows, well not leave a particle of skin on the flesh of your back,
+let me tell you," shouted a voice in a loud tone.
+
+One of the parties was led by Buttar, the other by Bracebridge.  The
+latter had spoken.  Buttar uttered a similar caution; but Blackall,
+seeing that only younger boys composed the approaching bands, and
+fancying that they would not venture to interfere with him, resolved for
+very pride not to desist from his purpose, and down came his weapon on
+the backs of the two prostrate victims of his tyranny.  It was
+equivalent to a declaration of war to the knife.
+
+"On, on, on," shouted Bracebridge and Buttar.
+
+Their followers required no second appeal.
+
+"Remember what I told you," shouted Ernest--"Each man to his duty."
+
+The bully turned round and gazed, first on one side and then on the
+other, at the approaching bands.  He was observed to turn pale, even
+though he flourished his colt above his head, and uttered loud threats
+of vengeance against any who might dare to approach him.  A scornful
+laugh was the only answer he received, as the two bands advancing in
+double quick time completely surrounded him, and then with a shout threw
+themselves upon him.  Some seized his neck, others his arms, and others
+his legs, in spite of his kicks and blows, while others passing a rope
+round his body he was speedily tripped up and hauled down to the ground.
+He swore, and shouted, and threatened more loudly than ever.
+
+"Gag him, gag him," suggested Buttar.  "Don't let the fellow talk
+blasphemy."
+
+"I'll half murder you some day for this, you Buttar, you," cried the
+bully, glaring fiercely at him.
+
+"Pooh, pooh," was all Buttar deigned to reply.  "Here, quick, a
+handkerchief, and that piece of wood."
+
+The materials for the gag were handed to Buttar, and though the bully
+made several attempts to bite his fingers, he succeeded in most
+effectually fixing a gag in his mouth.  Still Blackall struggled
+furiously; but though not one of his assailants was half his size, they
+succeeded in dragging him to a tree, to the trunk of which they secured
+him with the rope they had passed round his waist.  Then they lashed his
+hands as if he was clasping the tree, with his face to the trunk, while
+his ankles were placed in a still more uncomfortable position.
+
+"He cannot abuse us, or kick, or strike, but he can see," suggested some
+one.
+
+The hint was forthwith taken, and he was quickly blindfolded.
+
+"We will draw lots to settle who is to colt him," said Ernest.  "You
+understand, my friends, that it will be better he should not know who
+have been his executioners."
+
+Lots were forthwith drawn with some ceremony.  Four boys were chosen,
+and they, nothing very loth, began to flourish the very weapon with
+which he had just been striking their friends.
+
+When Ernest and his party came up they found Bouldon and Gregson on the
+ground, both of them so much hurt as to be scarcely able to rise.
+Ernest with two or three other boys, having seen Blackall safely
+secured, went to attend to them.  They got water from the pond and
+bathed their temples, and undid their shirt collars, and in a little
+time set them up on their legs.  As may be supposed, the first use they
+made of their restored strength was to go and watch the proceedings
+taking place with regard to Blackall.  Their feelings revolted at the
+thought of thrashing one who had been so lately ill-treating them.  They
+felt that had they done so, they would naturally be accused of being
+influenced by vindictive feelings; whereas they wished that he should
+understand that; the thrashing he was receiving was a lawful punishment
+for the cruelty he had so long inflicted on others.  The boys who had
+been selected as executioners set to work very much in the fashion of
+young boatswain's mates on board of a man-of-war.  After one had given
+five or six strokes another came on, till at last some one declared that
+he had fainted.  So he had, but it was chiefly through rage and
+indignation.  However, they took the gag out of his mouth, but the first
+use he made of his restored power of speech was to abuse and threaten
+them so dreadfully, that they came behind him and again clapped the gag
+into his mouth.  In vain he struggled.  He was too securely bound to get
+free.  Ernest had learned, as every boy should, how to knot and splice
+properly, and was unlikely to allow any slip knots to be made.  When
+Blackall showed that he was completely recovered, the boys who had been
+appointed to flog him, once more made ready to go on with the operation,
+but Ernest stopped them.  His feelings revolted at thus punishing a
+school-fellow, however richly he might have deserved punishment, who had
+been rendered so utterly helpless.
+
+"Stay," he cried out.  "He has had enough to show him what we have the
+power of doing, and the pain he has suffered may teach him in future not
+to inflict pain on others.  Take the gag out of his mouth, and let us
+hear if he will promise to behave properly in future towards all the
+younger boys of the school, to beg pardon of Bouldon for his
+unwarrantable attack on him, and especially that he will promise to
+abandon his absurd attempt to fag any of the boys of the school.  You
+hear what has been said, Blackall.  Will you consent to these terms?
+Take the gag out of his mouth and let him answer."
+
+Blackall had heard every word that was said, and had he been wise, he
+would have yielded to the force of circumstances; but instead of that,
+he began as before to abuse and threaten Ernest and Buttar, and all the
+boys whose voices he recognised, and to declare that he had a perfect
+right to fag one and all of them if he chose.
+
+"The gag! the gag!  Treason! treason!" was the reply, accompanied by
+loud laughter from all the party.
+
+The gag was quickly produced; but as Blackall found it being adjusted,
+his courage, or rather his obstinacy, gave way.
+
+"What is it, do you say, that you want of me, you fellow?" he asked, in
+a very much humbled tone.
+
+Ernest repeated the terms he had before proposed.
+
+"As to that, I do not mean to say that I am not ready to agree to your
+terms," he replied; "only just mark me, you fellows.  I don't think that
+I am a greater bully than others, and if you fancy that I am going to
+agree not to lick a fellow who is impudent, you are mistaken.  I'm not
+going to promise any such thing.  Fagging is not in vogue, so I'll give
+that up for the present, but I don't know what other big fellows will
+do."
+
+This speech of the once formidable bully was received with loud shouts
+by most of the younger boys, but Ernest, who knew something more than
+they did of human nature, did not put much confidence in what had been
+said, still he saw that it would be politic to release him while he
+remained in that humbled humour.
+
+"Very well, Blackall," said Ernest; "we are all glad to hear what you
+say, and we intend to rely on your promise; but remember that we are all
+united to resist aggression, and that the moment you break your promise,
+we shall take steps to punish you.  Now release him."
+
+In obedience to the orders of their leader, some of the boys cast off
+the lashings which secured their prisoner to the tree, but they wisely
+took care to keep him blindfolded to the last, that he might be unable
+to injure them.  His hands and legs being set free, they all hurried
+back to their ranks, where they stood in two compact bodies as before,
+bidding defiance to any attack he might venture to make on them.
+
+"You may take your handkerchief off your eyes and go free," said Ernest.
+
+Hearing this, the humbled bully began pulling away at the handkerchief
+round his eyes, much to the amusement of the lookers-on, for he had
+considerable difficulty in untying the knot, and getting it off his
+head.  His first movement showed clearly that he was much inclined to
+break the articles of peace, but when he saw the formidable array of
+boys drawn up on either side of him, with Bracebridge at the head of one
+party, and Buttar at that of the other, discretion prevailed, and with a
+sulky, downcast look, he turned round and walked away across the fields
+in an opposite direction to that which he saw the hostile armies were
+taking.  Ernest suppressed the commencement of a cheer in which his
+supporters very naturally showed an inclination to indulge.
+
+"Let him go, and treat him with the silent contempt he deserves," he
+observed.  "He has got a lesson which he will not easily forget; but at
+the same time we shall all do well not to trust him.  He will not let
+the matter pass without trying to revenge himself on some of us."
+
+Blackall heard the first part of Ernest's remarks.  He turned round as
+if to give vent to his feelings; but not finding words to express
+himself, he stamped with his foot, and continued on in the direction he
+was going.
+
+"I wonder whether he will go and complain to the Doctor of the thrashing
+we have given him," exclaimed Bouldon, as they were marching homeward.
+"I certainly did not expect to see him take it so tamely.  I expected
+that he would have fought and struggled to the last, like the rover's
+crew the song talks about.  Instead of that, he struck his colours in a
+wonderfully short space of time."
+
+"Oh, those bullies are always white-livered rogues," observed Buttar,
+"so are nearly all the tyrants one reads about in history.  Conscience
+makes cowards of them all.  Depend on it that he will hold his tongue,
+and neither tell the Doctor nor any of his own special chums."
+
+It was to be seen whether Buttar was right.  The boys who had not united
+with Ernest were surprised to see so many of his friends marching about
+in order the whole afternoon; and even when tea was over, never less
+than five or six of them were together.  They looked about for Blackall,
+but he did not make his appearance.  The elder boys were excused from
+coming in to tea on half-holidays, so there was nothing remarkable in
+this, and none of his friends seemed to notice his absence.  Of one
+thing all Ernest's companions felt certain, that no attempt to fag them
+would succeed while he remained at school.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+BLACKALL'S REVENGE AND ITS RESULTS.
+
+Everybody remarked the sullen angry expression which Blackall's
+countenance bore after the event I have just described.  When any of his
+associates talked to him about fagging, he frowned, and, putting out his
+lips, declared that there was no use attempting to coerce the young
+scamps, for that the advantage to be gained was not worth the trouble it
+would cost.  This was very true, but at the same time it was not an
+opinion anybody would have expected from him.  Whenever he met
+Bracebridge, he always looked at him with an expression of intense
+dislike, which he was at no pains to conceal.
+
+The Christmas holidays were now approaching, and a long course of bad
+weather kept the boys in more than usual.  They consequently amused
+themselves with their indoor exercises.  Their broadswords and foils
+were constantly in their hands during their play-hours.
+
+One day Ernest and Buttar were fencing together.  They had been at first
+equally matched, but Ernest was never content unless he was perfect in
+every exercise he took up, and so he had practised and practised, and
+thought the matter over, till he could beat his friend thoroughly.
+Buttar took his defeats very good-naturedly.
+
+"I cannot manage as you do, old fellow," he used to observe.  "You
+always contrive to send my foil flying out of my hand when I fancy that
+I am going to play you some wonderful trick at which I have been
+practising away for the whole of the last week."
+
+A match was just over when Blackall entered the fencing-room.  His eye
+fell on Ernest.  Just then something called Buttar out of the room, and
+Ernest was left without an antagonist.
+
+"Come, young gentleman, you are both good fencers.  Try a pass of arms
+together," said Mr Strutt, the fencing-master.  "Oh, you must not draw
+back; I shall fancy you are afraid of each other if you do.  Come, take
+your foils and begin."
+
+Blackall hesitated.  He had not exchanged a word with Ernest since the
+day he had received his flogging, and he hoped never to have to speak to
+him again.
+
+"Perhaps Blackall would rather not fence with me, sir," observed Ernest
+to the fencing-master.
+
+"Oh, nonsense, nonsense.  Take up your foil and begin," was the answer
+he received.
+
+"I am ready to fence with you.  Come here in this corner of the room,
+out of the way," said Blackall suddenly.
+
+Ernest followed him.  He remarked that there was a peculiarly evil look
+in his eye.  He did not, however, unfortunately, observe what he was
+about with his foil in the corner.
+
+"Now, young gentlemen, attention," cried Mr Strutt to some of his
+pupils, whose exercise he was superintending, and the words Quarte,
+Tierce, Seconde, Demi-circle, Contre de Quarte, Contre de Tierce, and so
+on, were heard resounding through the room.
+
+"Come, let us begin, and have no child's play," exclaimed Blackall with
+vehemence, throwing himself into the attitude to engage.  He made
+several rapid passes, which Ernest parried dexterously.  As he did so,
+he observed that his adversary's foil had no button on it.  Still he
+thought that it was the result of accident; and as he had very little
+fear of Blackall's hitting him, he did not deign at first to take notice
+of it.  Something, however, he observed in the expression of his
+opponent's eye made him doubt the wisdom of this delicacy.
+
+"Blackall," he cried out, parrying a desperate thrust at his breast,
+your foil has no button.  "Were you to hit me, you might injure me very
+much."
+
+"What care I?" answered Blackall.  "I'll pay my debts, depend on that.
+Take that--and that--and that!"  As he spoke he lunged rapidly at
+Ernest, who as rapidly turned aside the point of his weapon.  Still
+Blackall was no bad fencer, and Ernest had the greatest difficulty in
+defending himself.  Now he had to guard against a straight thrust, now
+against a disengagement, now the beat and thrust, now the cut over the
+point, and now the double.  He saw that it would be too dangerous to
+attack himself; indeed, his only wish was to disarm his adversary, and
+then to refuse to fence with him any longer.  This Blackall seemed to
+suspect, and to be on his guard against, while his aim was too clearly
+to wound, if not to kill, his opponent.  Ernest under these very trying
+circumstances kept perfectly cool.  He had parried every thrust which
+Blackall had made, but the latter at length pressed him so hard that he
+had to retreat a few paces.  Once more he stood his ground, and defended
+himself as before.  As he did so, suddenly he felt his foot slip, and,
+while he was trying to recover himself, Blackall pressed in on him, and
+sent his foil completely through his shoulder.  One of the boys had just
+before dropped a lump of grease, which had been the cause of the
+accident.  Ernest felt himself borne backwards, and, before any one
+could catch him, he fell heavily to the ground.  The blood flowed
+rapidly from the wound; a sickness came over him, and he fainted.
+Blackall pretended to be very much grieved at what had occurred; but the
+fencing-master, looking at him sternly, asked him how it was that he
+could use a foil without knowing that the button was off.
+
+"And what is the meaning of this, let me ask?" he said, stooping down,
+and with his knife hooking out the end of a foil from a chink in the
+boards.  "The point was broken off on purpose.  You have tried to kill
+that young lad there.  I know it; and I shall take you before the
+Doctor, and let him judge the case."
+
+"What makes you say that?" asked Blackall, turning very pale.  "Why
+should you suppose I should wish to hurt Bracebridge?"
+
+"I know it--I know it," was the only answer he got, while Mr Strutt
+with several of the boys was engaged in lifting Ernest, and binding up
+his shoulder to stop the bleeding.  Blackall knelt down to assist, but
+the fencing-master sternly ordered him to stand back.
+
+"I will not trust you," he exclaimed.  "You are a bad fellow!  I believe
+it now.  I see it all clearly.  I ought not to have allowed such an one
+as you to fence with him.  If he dies, you will be his murderer;
+remember that.  You shall know the truth from me, at all events."  Thus
+did the excitable but kind-hearted fencing-master run on.
+
+As he and some of the boys were about to lift Ernest off the ground, to
+carry him upstairs, Monsieur Malin came in.  When he had ascertained the
+state of affairs, he immediately sent off Buttar to summon the surgeon
+who attended the school, which it seemed no one else had thought of
+doing.  The presence of a medical man would, he knew, save the Doctor a
+great deal of anxiety.  Having done this he walked up to Blackall, and
+put his hand on his shoulder.
+
+"Things do not take place in this school without my hearing of them," he
+remarked.  "Mr Strutt thinks you wounded Bracebridge on purpose.  I
+believe that you are capable of any crime: but come with me to the
+Doctor; we will hear what judgment he pronounces on the subject."
+
+Blackall would gladly have got away or shrunk into himself; but when he
+found that he had no channel of escape, he seemed to screw up his
+courage to face out boldly the charges brought against him.
+
+It is a very unpleasant subject.  I would rather not have had to
+describe Blackall and his misdeeds; but as his character is so odious, I
+hold him up as a warning to some not to imitate him, and to others to
+avoid, and on no account to trust to or to form any friendship with such
+a person when they meet him.
+
+There was in the house a strong-room, in which occasionally very
+refractory boys were locked up.  Confinement in it was looked upon with
+peculiar dislike, and considered a great disgrace.  It was furnished
+with books and slates, and pens, ink, and paper, and the boy who was put
+in was always awarded a task, which he had to perform before he was let
+out.  Any of the masters might put a boy in there, and incarceration in
+this place was the only punishment they were allowed to inflict on their
+own responsibility.
+
+"There, go in there; translate and write out for me these five pages of
+English into French, and learn these fifty lines of Racine," said
+Monsieur Malin, as he put Blackall in, and, locking the door, took away
+the key.  "I will report your conduct to the Doctor, and hear what he
+has to say to it."
+
+Blackall was left in a great fright.  He did not know what part of his
+conduct might be reported, and he felt conscious that he was guilty of
+many things which, if known, would cause him to be expelled.  He knew
+also that Monsieur Malin would not excuse him his task, so he tried to
+get through with it; but all his efforts were in vain.  He could do
+nothing, and his thoughts would turn to the act of which he had just
+been guilty.  "I did not want to hurt him--I did not want to kill him,"
+he said to himself; but each time that he said so conscience replied,
+"You did; you know you did.  Cowardly mean-spirited revenge induced you
+to commit the act, and it shall not go unpunished."
+
+The Doctor was not told of what had occurred till the medical man had
+arrived and examined Ernest's wound.  He had him at once put to bed, and
+washed and dressed the wound, and then he gave him some cooling
+medicine, but he said that he must see him again before he would
+pronounce on the matter.  He might not materially suffer, but it might
+prove to be a very dangerous wound.  This report got about the school.
+Buttar, Bouldon, and poor Ellis, and many other boys, were deeply
+grieved when they heard it.  During the evening there was much anxiety
+and excitement in the school.
+
+It was generally reported that Blackall had endeavoured to kill Ernest;
+then that the wound had assumed a very dangerous aspect, that the
+surgeon was very anxious about him, and that there was very little hope
+of his recovery.
+
+When the Doctor appeared in school in the evening his countenance was
+very grave, and he seemed grieved and anxious.  He spoke very little,
+and it was observed that while he was reading prayers his voice
+faltered.
+
+There were many sorrowful young hearts in the school that night; for
+another sadder report than the first got about, and it was believed that
+Ernest Bracebridge--the clever, the brave, the spirited one, whom all
+then acknowledged to be without a rival in the school--was dead.
+
+Naturally, the late attempt to introduce fagging was discussed, and the
+part Bracebridge had taken in suppressing it was openly spoken of.
+Thus, not only did all the boys in the school learn all about it, but it
+came to the ears of the masters, and, finally, to those of the Doctor
+himself.  Monsieur Malin had heard of it before, but he had judged it
+best to let things take their course.  The Doctor, having gathered all
+the information he thought necessary, collected several witnesses, among
+whom were Buttar, Bouldon, and Ellis, and summoned Blackall into his
+presence.
+
+Blackall appeared, led in by two of the masters.  He heard all that had
+to be said against him, and a full account of his barbarous treatment of
+Bouldon and Gregson, and the flogging which followed.
+
+"I do not excuse Buttar, nor do I poor Bracebridge, for their conduct on
+that occasion.  It was their duty to come and complain to me, and not to
+take the law into their own hands; but I am fully willing to believe
+that they acted under mistaken notions.  However, I do not wish at
+present to say anything more against them; but there stands one whose
+whole conduct I so severely condemn, that I can allow him no longer to
+be an inmate of this school.  To-morrow morning I shall publicly expel
+him.  Retire till then to your respective rooms."
+
+Although on ordinary occasions the Doctor had a great flow of language,
+he was very brief when any serious matter was under discussion, as if he
+was afraid to trust his feelings in words.  No one in the school had an
+opportunity of again speaking to Blackall.  He was supposed to have
+passed the night in the solitary room, as it was called.  The next
+morning, after breakfast, he was brought into the school-room between
+two of the masters, and there in due form publicly expelled the school.
+
+"Sir," said the Doctor, "from the numerous charges brought against you,
+and which you do not attempt to disprove, you will, if you do not alter
+your conduct, be a disgrace to any community in which you may be found.
+You have been constantly guilty of drunkenness and tyranny, blasphemy
+and swearing, idleness, and utter negligence of all religious and moral
+principle.  I deeply regret that I was not sooner informed of your
+conduct; and I humbly acknowledge that I am much to blame in not having
+more minutely inquired into the character of every boy under my charge.
+I trust that you are an exception to the general rule, and that there
+are no others like you.  Lead the unhappy lad away."
+
+Soon after this a post-chaise came to the door; Blackall with one of the
+masters was seen to get into it, and from that day forward no one ever
+heard anything positively about him.  His conduct was undoubtedly worse
+than that of any of his companions.  The way he had been punished
+utterly put a stop to anything like fagging, and even brought bullying
+into very great discredit.
+
+I have not mentioned Ernest Bracebridge since he had been wounded in so
+cowardly and treacherous a way by Blackall.  The reports which flew
+about the school proved to have been somewhat exaggerated.  The surgeon
+very naturally ordered that he should be kept quiet, but he had not said
+that there was any danger.  He speedily stopped the bleeding, though, at
+the same time, he thought it safest to sit up with him, to watch that
+the wound did not break out afresh and allow him to bleed to death.  In
+a few days even the slightest danger which might have existed was over;
+and in the course of a week he was able once more to resume his place in
+school.  The Doctor had a good deal of conversation with him with
+respect to his conduct towards Blackall; and though he acknowledged that
+there were many extenuating circumstances, still, he pointed out, that
+he, as master of the school, would not allow the law to be taken out of
+his hands and exercised by another, however great the provocation.
+
+"The same reasoning, remember, Bracebridge, holds good in society," he
+observed.  "Private individuals must never take upon themselves the
+execution of the laws while a duly elected authority exists.  Happily,
+in England, a man need only bring his complaint before a magistrate, and
+he is nearly certain to obtain ample justice.  Remember that, my dear
+boy, whenever you are tempted to take the law into your own hands.  If
+you yield to passion, or to your feelings, you will be acting against
+the laws both of God and man; and do not suppose that it is a light
+thing to do that."
+
+Ernest thanked the Doctor for his advice, and promised to remember it.
+Only a couple of weeks remained now before the holidays were to begin--
+those jolly Christmas holidays which, to boys living in the country,
+generally afford so much amusement.
+
+The conversation Ernest had had with the Doctor made him feel more
+inclined to confide in him than he had ever done, and he resolved to
+open his heart to him about Ellis, who, in spite of his excellent
+conduct, and his quiet amiable manners, was as much as ever mistrusted
+by the boys in general.  Barber, especially, turned up his nose at him,
+and never failed, when talking with his own particular chums, to throw
+out hints that, when Blackall was expelled, it was a pity the Doctor did
+not clear the school of Ellis, and other canting hypocrites like him.
+More than once these ungenerous remarks had been repeated to Ernest.  He
+talked the matter over with Buttar, who agreed that they ought not to be
+allowed to go on unnoticed.
+
+"If Ellis has done anything really disgraceful, he should explain his
+conduct to us, who have so long supported him through thick and thin,"
+observed Buttar.  "For my part, I believe that he ever was what he now
+is, a highly honourable good fellow; and if so, he ought to be defended,
+and his character placed in a proper light before the whole school."
+
+"I have been long thinking the same," said Ernest.  "I would do anything
+to serve him; and the life he is now leading is enough to ruin him in
+health and mind.  He looks thin and careworn--like an old man already."
+
+That very evening Ernest went to the Doctor, and very briefly told him
+all about Ellis; how fast he was improving, and how happy he had become,
+till Barber came to the school and spread reports against his fair fame.
+
+The Doctor asked Ernest what the reports were.  Ernest told him.
+
+"Poor fellow! how very unfortunate," he remarked.  "When he came here,
+his father sent me a letter from his former master, saying that he had
+been accused of stealing some money from another boy; but that, though
+the evidence against him was very strong, and apparently conclusive, he
+fully believed him guiltless of the offence.  His father, who came to me
+on purpose, assured me that his son was altogether incapable of
+committing the crime of which he was accused; at the same time, that he
+thought it right to mention the circumstance to me, to account for his
+low-spirited and retiring manner.  I appreciated the father's motive,
+and accepted the charge of his son, not supposing that any boy from the
+lad's former school would come here to accuse him.  I have watched him
+narrowly, and I feel sure, from what I have seen of him, that he is, at
+all events, now a most unlikely person to commit the crime of which he
+is accused."
+
+"I am very glad indeed, sir, to hear you say this," replied Ernest.  "I
+would myself stake much on Ellis's honour; but how are the other boys to
+be convinced of this, when one who professes to be a witness is among
+them, and constantly repeats the tale?"
+
+"I must think about it," observed the Doctor.  "I may show my disbelief
+of the truth of the accusations brought against him by honouring him on
+every fitting opportunity; but unless he can disprove the tales uttered
+against him, I fear the less generous boys will continue to believe him
+guilty.  However, I have said I will consider the subject.  And now,
+Bracebridge, believe me, I thank you for having introduced the matter to
+my notice."
+
+After this conversation, Ernest became much happier about Ellis.  For
+the Doctor, also, a much warmer regard and respect arose in his heart
+than he had ever before felt.  He had from the first looked upon him as
+a kind, sensible, and just man; but he did not suppose that there was
+any sympathy between him and his pupils.  He knew that they came to
+school to be taught, and that it was his duty to teach them; but he was
+not aware of the deep interest which he took in their eternal as well as
+in their temporal welfare; how he employed his best thoughts and
+energies for that purpose; how much toil and pains he had taken to bring
+the school into its present condition; and how much it grieved him to
+find that, with all the pains he had taken, there was so much to correct
+and arrange.  The Doctor, however, knew the world, and that in no human
+institutions can perfection be attained--nor can it be expected that
+they should be without faults; but he knew also that by care and
+attention those faults may be decreased, if not altogether got rid of,
+and he did not despair.
+
+Ernest, as I was saying, had never before this thoroughly understood the
+Doctor.  Now he did, and he found him a kind, sympathising, affectionate
+friend.  Indeed, in my opinion, unless a man is this to his pupils, he
+is not fit to be a schoolmaster.  Neither can a parent, unless he is his
+children's friend, expect to command their love and obedience.
+
+Ernest now discovered the Doctor to be very like his own father in many
+respects, and therefore placed unbounded confidence in him.  He gladly
+opened his own heart to him, and with the frankness of a warm-hearted
+boy, told him all his thoughts, and hopes, and wishes.
+
+The Doctor had always liked Ernest, and felt great satisfaction at
+watching his rapid progress; but now he discovered qualities and talents
+which he had not before surmised, and from that time he placed the most
+perfect confidence in him, and the interest Ernest excited was as great
+as if he had been his own son.
+
+At the end of the year prizes were given, and, in spite of his accident,
+Ernest carried off several.  One of the performances which invariably
+created the greatest interest was the speech-making.  The speech given
+to Ernest's class was that part of Julius Caesar where Cassius
+endeavours to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar.
+Buttar also spoke very well, and took the part of Brutus.  All the
+neighbourhood were collected on the occasion, and a sort of stage was
+erected at one end of the play-room, which was ornamented with boughs of
+holly and other evergreens, and flags and coloured lamps.
+
+Altogether, it was a very pretty spectacle.  Instead of painted scenes,
+a bower of evergreens and flags was erected on the stage, in which the
+boys performed their parts.
+
+Some of the bigger boys gained a good deal of applause, for the Doctor
+taught his pupils not only Greek and Latin, but what he looked on as of
+not less consequence--to write and speak their own language correctly
+and fluently.
+
+Many who could scarcely express themselves so as to be clearly
+understood when they came to the school, had by the time they reached
+the upper classes become quite eloquent, and were able to write their
+themes with correctness and precision.  Not much was expected from the
+younger boys, but when Ernest began to speak, the attention of all the
+guests was arrested: not a whisper was heard; and when he concluded, a
+loud and continued applause burst forth, and even his school-fellows
+agreed that he had surpassed himself.  Buttar also gained a fair share
+of the applause bestowed on his friend, and he was not jealous that he
+did not gain more.  No one listened more attentively than did Ellis, for
+he had declined to speak, though urged by Ernest to do so, and tears
+rushed unbidden into his eyes at the success which Bracebridge had
+obtained.
+
+"I tell you, you fellows, that there is not a fellow like him!"
+exclaimed Tom Bouldon, clapping his hands vehemently.  "He is as good,
+and brave, and clever as any fellow in the world.  I always thought so,
+and now I am certain of it, and don't mind saying so."
+
+Happily these remarks did not reach Ernest's ears.  Gratifying as they
+must have been, they would have proved somewhat dangerous, even to a
+mind so well balanced as his was.  He knew that he had achieved a
+success, but he was well aware that, after all, it was not a very great
+one, and that he had many more far far greater to achieve before the
+victory would be won.
+
+I must not forget one of the amusements which generally terminated the
+winter half of the year.  It was a grand race on stilts.  There was a
+wide extent of flat meadow land in the neighbourhood, intersected with
+narrow ditches full of water.  This was the ground selected for the
+sport.  It was something like the Landes in the south of France.
+Monsieur Malin had introduced the amusement.
+
+Boys when they first came to the school, who had not been accustomed to
+walk on stilts, were surprised at the height of those used, and the
+rapidity with which the older fellows walked along on them.  Many of
+them were ten feet high.  The resting-place for the feet was a piece of
+wood flat on the upper surface, with a strap to it which could be
+fastened round the feet or not.  The upper ends of the poles were held
+by the hands, with the shoulders pressing against them.  By this mode a
+boy could leap off his stilts without risk.  Some are used which do not
+reach above the knee, round which the end is secured by a strap, but a
+fall with these may prove a very serious matter, and the Doctor would
+not allow them to be used.
+
+It was good fun on stilt day to see the greater part of the school
+mounted up high above the ground, and striding away at a rapid rate over
+the fields; to hear the shouts and shrieks of laughter, especially if
+any unfortunate wight put the end of his stilt into a ditch deeper than
+he expected, and, unable to draw it out again, dropped on his nose.
+Monsieur Malin generally led the party, and no one cheered and laughed
+more than he did.  This year it was arranged that a steeple-chase should
+take place; so it was called; but in reality it was not a steeple which
+formed the goal, but a low object--a white gate, which could only be
+seen from an elevation; therefore the boys with the highest stilts were
+the best able to keep it in sight.
+
+Fancy upwards of eighty boys collected on a fine clear frosty afternoon,
+mounted up five or six feet off the ground, some even more, stalking
+away as fast as they could go over the fields, shouting, and laughing,
+and hallooing to each other.
+
+As usual, Ernest was one of the most active.  He and Buttar took the
+lead, but they were closely followed by Tom Bouldon, who was very great
+upon stilts.  The exercise suited his temperament.  He had been at the
+school ever since Monsieur Malin introduced them, and so he was
+well-practised in their use.  He thus had an advantage Ernest did not
+possess.  He went steadily on across hedges and ditches, and across
+ploughed fields, and moist meadows and marshes, till he overtook Buttar,
+and then he came up with Ernest, who was beginning to fag, and then he
+went ahead, and finally got in at the winning-post half a field's length
+before anybody else.
+
+Two days after that the school broke up, and the boys, in high spirits
+at the anticipation of the amusements they were to enjoy, started off in
+all directions to their respective homes.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.  SKATING AND OTHER WINTER AMUSEMENTS.
+
+Ernest liked his school very much, but he had good reason to love his
+home still more, for such a home as his--or rather its inhabitants,
+which constituted it his home--was well worthy of all the affection of
+his warm affectionate heart.  His father and mother were so wise and
+sensible and kind, so just and so indulgent.  The expression of their
+countenances and their general personal appearance at once showed that
+they were above the ordinary run of people; yet, noble as they looked,
+none but the base and evil-disposed were afraid of them.  It was a
+pleasure to see the smiling faces and the affectionate looks with which
+they were received as they walked about the village, where they and
+their ancestors for several generations had lived before them.  Often
+and often they might be seen simply, and, if the weather was bad,
+roughly, dressed; going from cottage to cottage, with a basket of
+medicines, or provisions and clothing, for those poor neighbours who
+were, they well knew, utterly unable to obtain them for themselves.
+Their daughters followed their example.  No more sweet, amiable, and yet
+refined, girls were to be found in the country.  Their brothers declared
+that no such girls existed in the world; and yet, though they could do
+all sorts of things, and ride, and fish, and even play cricket with them
+on a pinch, they were not in the slightest degree proud or conceited.
+They could sing and play, and when they went to balls, which was not
+very often, no young ladies appeared to greater advantage, or were more
+lively or graceful.  They were admired, and yet fully respected, by all
+who knew them.
+
+I have described what Ernest was.  His brothers were his equals in most
+respects.  His eldest brother was a very fine young man, and had taken
+high honours at Cambridge.  He was an excellent specimen of an English
+gentleman of the nineteenth century.  Free from all affectation and
+pedantry, still his whole nature seemed to revolt from anything slangish
+or low.  No oaths, nor anything which would be considered one, nor any
+cant expressions, ever escaped his lips.  Yet he was full of life and
+spirits, the soul of every society in which he moved.  He had numerous
+friends, and so mild and quiet was his disposition that he seldom or
+never made enemies; or rather, I may say, if he made an enemy, he
+quickly got rid of his enmity.  All his brothers looked up to him, and
+loved him heartily.
+
+"My brother John says so and so," or "My brother John did so and so,"
+was a constant phrase of theirs, and it was always something good he had
+said or done.  He was at home, and so were indeed all Ernest's brothers.
+One was in the navy--Frank.  What a light-hearted and merry fellow he
+was.  He had seen some hard service, had been highly spoken of in a
+dispatch, and had a medal on his breast.  He was a gallant, true-hearted
+sailor, and was as much liked by his companions afloat as his brothers
+were by theirs on shore.
+
+Such were the inhabitants of Oaklands.  The house itself was a fine old
+substantially-built edifice, with thick walls, standing on a gentle
+elevation, and overlooking a wide extent of country.  The grounds which
+surrounded it were large, and contained woods, and shady walks, and
+fishponds, or rather lakes, and ornamental flower gardens, and rich
+velvety lawns, and kitchen gardens.
+
+A short time before the holidays, Mr Bracebridge had written to his
+son, desiring to have the addresses of several of them.  What was his
+reason for doing this, his father did not tell him.
+
+The holidays began.  What a happy Christmas-day the whole family spent
+together!  It was spent as Christmas-day should be spent--in
+affectionate family intercourse, and not in a wild gaiety which is
+calculated to drive away all thought and recollection of the great and
+glorious event it is intended to celebrate on that day.  How happy
+everybody was both upstairs and downstairs; what long yarns Frank spun
+of his adventures in many lands, and his hair-breadth escapes; how he
+made them laugh at some of his stories, and cry, if their hair did not
+stand on end, at others, so exciting or so full of horror did they
+appear.  I should like to repeat some of them, but I have not time to do
+so now.  Of course everybody was wishing for a frost, that they might
+have skating.
+
+"Oh, how delightful it will be!" exclaimed the midshipman.  "I have not
+put on a pair of skates for the last five years.  I have seen ice enough
+and to spare in the shape of icebergs, and floes, and fields of ice, but
+that is not the sort of ice suitable for skating.  A big, thundering
+iceberg is a wonderful thing; we nearly got run down by one, or rather
+we nearly ran into one, if the truth must be said, when I was in the
+`Stag,' only, of course, we always lay the blame on anything but
+ourselves; so in this case we blamed the iceberg for getting in our way,
+as if it had not just as much right to be there as we had, and as if it
+had not been our business to get out of its way.  We were going round
+Cape Horn, and the master thought fit to make a considerable offing, and
+to keep away to the southward.  It was my watch on deck.  We had a fair
+wind on our starboard quarter.  Jim Holdfast, whom I took out with me,
+and who promises to turn out a prime sailor, was forward.  It was a
+pitchy dark night.  We could barely make out our hands held out before
+us, and as to seeing across the deck, that was impossible.  We had three
+reefs in our topsails, and though it was not blowing very hard--that is
+to say, a man might open his mouth without fear of having his teeth
+blown down his throat--we were running at the rate of nearly eight knots
+an hour through the water.  By the way the stern of the ship lifted, and
+then by the feeling that she was gliding away downward into the depths
+of some watery valley, we knew that huge mountainous seas were rolling
+up astern of us.  I frequently looked astern to try and make them out,
+but I could only hear their loud surge or slush (I must coin a word), as
+they broke close to our taffrail.  Now and then, by keeping my eye on
+the sky, a vast ominous darkness came up between me and it, and that I
+knew from experience was a giant billow, big enough, if it once broke
+over us, to swallow up us, or a ship ten times as large.  My watch was
+nearly out.  I was thinking that I should not be sorry to get below, and
+go fast asleep.  Now, `you gentlefolks of England, who stay at home at
+ease,' will, I dare say, fancy that no one could go to sleep under such
+circumstances; but for us sailors it would never do if we allowed a gale
+of wind or any such trifle to keep us awake when it was not our watch on
+deck.  The officer of the watch had just ordered eight bells to be
+struck, that is to say, it was the end of the first watch, or twelve
+o'clock at night, when a voice from forward shrieked out--for it was not
+an ordinary hail, but a cry which showed that life or death depended on
+the words being heard.
+
+"`Iceberg ahead!  Port the helm!--port--port--luff--luff!  Ease away the
+weather braces--haul taut the lee braces!'
+
+"I recognised the voice as that of Jim Holdfast.  I do not think the
+second-lieutenant, who had the watch, was aware who was speaking, but he
+was a sensible fellow, and instead of being angry, as some officers
+would have been at finding anybody venturing to give an order instead of
+themselves, he repeated it, and discovering that it was obeyed, hurried
+forward to ascertain more clearly if possible the state of things.  I
+looked out to leeward.  There rising, as it were, out of the ocean was
+an indistinct mass of luminous matter (I can call it by no other name),
+out of which proceeded a cold chilling air, piercing to our very marrow.
+High, high above us it seemed to tower.  The seas roared against its
+base.  Not a man on deck but held his breath, for no one knew what was
+next to happen.  We were terribly near to it.  The sea, as it dashed up
+the sides of the icy rock--for there was no doubt it was an iceberg--
+came toppling back in showers of foam, and deluging our decks.  As the
+ship heeled over to the breeze, her mainyard, I verily believe, grazed
+the iceberg.  Had she been a few feet nearer to it, perhaps, I may say,
+a few inches, I do not believe that the gallant little sloop or any one
+on board would ever again have been heard of.  The watch below had been
+called, and they came tumbling up in a great hurry, not knowing what was
+the matter.  I could tell by the exclamations of a few near me that they
+wished themselves anywhere but where they were.  The dear little ship
+flew on, and in another minute the iceberg was left astern.  Then a
+cheer from all hands arose, and I believe many returned sincere, though
+silent, thanks to Him who had so mercifully preserved us.  We hauled our
+wind and stood to the northward, for we had no fancy to encounter
+another of those big ice mountains in that dark night, not but what we
+knew that even then we might still run against one.  You see, our sailor
+philosophy is to do our very best, and then not to trouble our heads
+more than we can help as to what are to be the consequences.  When the
+excitement had calmed down, inquiries were made as to who had seen the
+iceberg, and so promptly given the order to `port the helm,' through
+which the ship had undoubtedly been saved.  Jim Holdfast, when he heard
+the inquiries made, was in a great fright, thinking that he was going to
+be punished, or well rowed at all events; and he never would have
+confessed that he had ventured to give the order, had not I gone to him
+and insisted on his coming forward, and saying how he had seen the
+iceberg, and had known that, unless what he had ordered was done, the
+ship would be lost.  The next day the sea went down, and we were able
+before night to haul up permanently on our course for Valparaiso, the
+capital of Chili.  Well, after breakfast I got Jim to come aft with me
+to the captain, who, with most of the officers, was on the quarter-deck.
+
+"`I've found the culprit, sir,' said I.  `Here's the man who first
+discovered the iceberg, though he had never seen one before, and--'
+
+"`And gave the order which saved the ship, and all our lives,' said the
+captain, interrupting me, and smiling pleasantly.  `Holdfast, my man,
+you did a most seaman-like thing.  I shall at once give you a higher
+rating, for you have shown yourself thoroughly deserving of it.'
+
+"I never saw a fellow so thoroughly astonished.  He pulled away a lock
+of his hair, till I thought he would haul it out by the roots, for he,
+of course, held his hat in his hand; and he scraped away with his foot,
+and said that he didn't think he had done anything out of the common
+way, and it was only his duty, and that sort of thing; but there was
+nothing like affectation in what he said.  Still more astonished was he
+when the captain continued--
+
+"`You shall come to my clerk every day, and perhaps he will give you
+some instruction which may be useful to you.  If you go on as you have
+begun, I may hope some day to see you on the quarter-deck.'
+
+"The captain said a good deal more to the same effect.  As I was saying,
+Jim was astonished.  He said very little in return, but only pulled away
+harder than ever at his hair.  Though before that time I should not have
+supposed that he had a spark of ambition in his soul, I after this
+observed a marked change in his demeanour and character.  I suspect his
+eye was never off the quarter-deck.  When not on duty, he was always
+reading and writing, and talking on nautical subjects.  He was neater,
+and cleaner, and more active than before; at the same time that he was
+just as respectful as ever to all above him.  He came home with us, and
+as soon as the ship was paid off, he went of his own accord to a
+nautical school to learn navigation, to enable him to do which he had
+saved up every farthing of his pay.  Now, I say that Jim has set an
+example which many young gentlemen would do well to follow.  If our
+captain gets a ship soon, he will take him with him; and when he hears
+how he has been employing his time on shore, I am very certain that he
+will keep his eye on him, and advance him if he can."
+
+Everybody present had listened with intense interest to Frank's account
+of his ship's narrow escape from destruction, and this of course
+encouraged him to continue his narrations on subsequent evenings; but as
+my readers are not his brothers and sisters, and father and mother, who
+might possibly be somewhat prejudiced in his favour, I will not repeat
+them.
+
+The young men and boys were all looking out eagerly for a frost; and
+every night they went out, one after the other, to ascertain whether the
+smell of the air gave indications of one having set in.  Who does not
+know that peculiar clear, fresh feeling, so invigorating and
+exhilarating, which the air has when a frost has begun?  Night after
+night, however, passed, and still the frost did not commence; but as the
+atmosphere grew colder and colder, everybody believed that their hopes
+would not long be delayed.  Skates, which had long lain dormant in
+tool-chests and cupboards, were got out and polished.  Skating shoes or
+boots were greased, and straps were repaired.  At last Ernest, in high
+glee, rushed in among the family circle assembled around the
+drawing-room fire one evening, and declared that a right honest frost
+had, without the slightest doubt, set in, and that in two days he felt
+sure the ice would bear.  The anticipation of the pleasure they all so
+much enjoyed put them into great spirits; and if either of the younger
+ones had been asked what he considered the greatest misfortune that
+could happen to the world, he would very likely have replied, a thaw.
+When, however, they had exhausted the subject, or at all events the
+patience of their hearers, their eldest sister proposed that those who
+were not engaged in any manual employment should read or tell a tale.
+The proposal was cordially welcomed.  Frank gave for his share of the
+evening's amusements a further account of his adventures; then a tale
+was read; and at last Charles, Ernest's second brother, who had lately
+returned from Germany, undertook to give a terrible ghost story which he
+had heard in that country, and which, as he said, had the advantage of
+being entirely true, though he was not disposed to quarrel with those
+who would not believe it.
+
+"Is it an ancient or modern story, Charles?" asked Ernest; "I have no
+fancy for modern ghost stories.  They all end in so ridiculous a way
+that one feels vexed at having taken the trouble of reading them."
+
+"Oh, this is a true antique tale," said Charles; "but you shall hear it.
+Is everybody ready to attend?  Well, then.  Once upon a time--"
+
+"No! no! no!  Don't begin a story in that old-fashioned, obsolete way,"
+exclaimed Ernest.  "I never can fancy that a story is worth hearing when
+it begins with `Once upon a time.'"
+
+"Heave ahead! and let us hear what it is about," cried Frank.  "Leave
+out the `Once upon a time.'  We are all ready.  Just plunge at once into
+the story--don't give us a long-winded prelude, that is all."
+
+"Very well, then; I will leave out the objectionable expression, and
+will begin at once by telling you all about the hero and his exploits up
+to the time my story commences.  So once more.  Listen--listen now!
+Here goes:--
+
+"Kurd von Stein was a gallant and adventurous knight; he cared not how
+far he wandered, nor what danger lay in his path.  He had travelled to
+all lands, and in all climates, defending ladies from insult, and the
+defenceless from oppression.  His love of adventure led him through wood
+and wild, over mountains and across seas; but it was in the night that
+he loved best to ride forth, when the soft moon shone on the silvery
+lake and quiet forest; when the stars gazed calmly on the earth, as if
+seeking to penetrate its future, and mourning over its past; when the
+hoot of the owl and the cry of the beast of prey were the only sounds to
+be heard, besides the tread of his own charger, when he left the forest
+glade for the more beaten track.
+
+"The Castle of Jauf, whose grey ruins may still be seen on a wooded
+height in the high country of the Rhine, was at that time a stately
+pile, with battlements, towers, and walls of massive strength; but it
+was uninhabited even then, and in the country round strange tales were
+told of sights and sounds which issued from it, not only at night, but
+even during the day.  Spirits were said to hold their meetings there,
+and the place was shunned by all mankind.
+
+"Sir Kurd, however, knew nothing of these tales; he had come from a
+great distance, and beyond inquiring his way, and ordering his necessary
+food, had held no communication with the peasantry, whose dialect was
+with difficulty understood either by his servant or himself.  As he came
+within some hours of Jauf, he desired his servant to proceed to the
+castle of a baron whom he had met in the wars in Belgium, and who lived
+at no great distance, while he himself turned into the forest in hopes
+of meeting with some adventure.  On he rode, through the pleasant oak
+woods, and by many a wild crag; but he at last found that he had
+wandered out of the direction he meant to have taken, and had no idea
+where he was, or which way he ought to turn to find his friend's castle;
+but he comforted himself with the old proverb, `that every road leads to
+Rome, and even out of the labyrinth you will reach your destination.'
+
+"The last ray of sunset had disappeared as Sir Kurd entered a wide
+valley, and faintly through the deepening gloom descried a large
+building, standing on a height at its further end--it was the Castle of
+Jauf.  His horse was tired, and he himself both weary and hungry; he
+therefore determined on going to the castle, and asking for food and
+shelter for the night.  He rode slowly up the hill on which the castle
+stood; but as he came near the walls, the darkness increased so suddenly
+that it was with difficulty he found the entrance to the court.  He
+called loudly, but no servant appeared at his summons.  His shout was
+given back by a dull echo from the walls, within which night and
+solitude alone seemed to reign.  The court was full with long grass; he
+led his horse across it to a tall silver pine, whose outline he could
+faintly trace through the darkness, bound him to it, and then sat down
+to rest.  After a little time he looked up,--and see!  A light shone
+from one of the windows!  He rose quickly, found a door, and felt his
+way up the narrow spiral staircase.  At the top of the staircase was a
+door, which he opened, and found himself in a large baronial hall; but
+he hesitated to advance when he saw that the only person in it was a
+girl, who sat by the long table.  She wore a black dress, and a string
+of large pearls confined her soft brown hair; and her attention was so
+absorbed in a large book which was open before her, and which she read
+by the light of a lamp, that she did not seem to be aware of the
+knight's entrance.  She was very lovely, and her expression told of a
+gentle heart; but she was pale as a cloud, and some deep sorrow seemed
+to have robbed her cheek of its roses.
+
+"`Noble lady, I greet you well,' said the knight, at length.
+
+"She looked up, and thanked him silently by a gentle inclination of her
+head.  He continued:--
+
+"`In my journey through this wood I have lost my way; may I ask for some
+food and a night's lodging?'
+
+"She rose, and with noiseless step left the hall, returning presently
+with two dishes, one of venison, another of wild fowl; these she placed
+on the table, and again retiring, brought a goblet of sparkling red
+wine.  Having arranged everything, she signed to Sir Kurd to eat,
+accompanying the sign with a sad smile.  He very willingly accepted her
+invitation; and though he found that both bread and salt had been
+forgotten, his modesty prevented his asking for them.  It seemed
+strange, too, that not a single word had escaped the maiden's lips, and
+he dared not speak to her.  But the spirit of the generous wine, which
+came from the sunny hills of Burgundy, began to assert its power over
+him, and prompted him to speak as follows:--
+
+"Much-honoured lady, may I be allowed one question?"
+
+"She bent her head.
+
+"I suppose you are the daughter of the house?"
+
+"Again she bowed.
+
+"`And who are your parents?'
+
+"She turned to the wall of the apartment, on which hung many portraits
+of knights and ladies; and pointing to the two last, she said, in a
+voice so soft, so melodious, that it seemed like the sighing of an
+Aeolian harp--
+
+"`I am the last of my race.'
+
+"`Here,' thought Sir Kurd, `this may turn out as good an adventure as
+ever knight met with in an out-of-the-way part of the world.  To be
+sure, they sometimes won a princess, sometimes a wicked fairy; but this
+maiden pleases me, and it is a splendid castle.  Ah, poor thing! no
+doubt it is grief at the loss of her parents which has paled her cheek.
+Perhaps I may find means of comforting her.'
+
+"He advanced, took her hand, and said--
+
+"`Believe me, lady, I grieve to hear that death has so early robbed you
+of your parents; but ladies require the protection of knights.  Have
+you--pardon the liberty I take--have you chosen one to make you happy?'
+
+"She shook her head.  He continued, modestly--
+
+"`In that case, may Kurd von Stein--whose name may have been heard even
+here as that of a trusty Knight of the Empire, and as having
+distinguished himself in many wars--may Kurd von Stein offer you his
+heart and hand?'
+
+"A gleam of pleasure lighted up the pale face of the girl; such a one as
+you may have seen pass over a meadow when the moon shone suddenly from
+behind a cloud.  She rose, and from a cupboard brought two gold-rings,
+set in black, and a wreath of sweet rosemary, [See Note 1.] which she
+twisted amongst the pearls in her hair.  She signed to the knight to
+follow, and went towards the door.  As he passed down the hall, he
+wondered that neither male nor female attendants were to be seen; but at
+that moment the door was thrown open by two old men in full holiday
+suit.  Their robes were white, and richly embroidered with gold; their
+black barettes had large silver ornaments.  They placed themselves on
+either side of the knight and lady, and with them descended the long
+flight of stairs, on which Sir Kurd's step alone was heard; the others
+seemed rather to glide than walk.
+
+"Sir Kurd began to feel very uncomfortable; he did not like the style of
+thing at all, and half repented of having pledged himself; but it was
+now too late to retract, and an irresistible power seemed to draw him
+onwards.  The old men led them to the castle chapel.  Lights already
+burned on the high altar; monuments of gleaming white marble, ornamented
+with weapons and golden inscriptions, rose on all sides.  It was before
+one of these that the lady stopped; the iron figure of a bishop rested
+on it; the eyes were closed, the hands folded.  She touched the figure;
+it instantly rose, and the eyes sparkled, as you may have seen the
+northern lights sparkle through the keen air of a winter night.  He went
+to the altar, and standing before the bridal pair, said, in a deep and
+solemn voice--
+
+"`Say, Sir Kurd von Stein, will you wed with the noble and honourable
+Lady Bertha von Windeck?'
+
+"As the leaves of the aspen and tremulous poplar shiver when a chilly
+breeze touches them, so trembled the knight as the lady passed her arm
+round him.  He tried to say--he did not quite know what; but he could
+not utter a sound, his very blood seemed curdled in his veins.  Hark!--
+the crowing of a cock.  A storm swept through the chapel, and the castle
+trembled to its very foundations.  In an instant all had vanished, and
+Sir Kurd sank down in a swoon.  On coming to himself, he lay--where?
+Amongst the long grass in the castle court, under the spreading branches
+of the silver pine, and by his side stood his faithful charger, while
+the cold grey light of morning began to appear in the east.
+
+"`Was it a dream?  Did I really see these awful sights?' said the knight
+to himself; and still the cock crew on.
+
+"Sir Kurd mounted his horse, quickly left the castle, and, without
+looking behind him, rode towards the spot where the cock was yet
+crowing.  He soon reached a hospitable farm-house, standing amongst the
+meadows in the valley, by the side of a clear stream.  Here he
+dismounted, just as the sun rose, and while partaking of a hearty
+breakfast, of which he stood in great need, he related to the farmer all
+his adventures of the past night, who, in his turn, told many others of
+the same sort.  Sir Kurd found that his servant had been unable to reach
+the castle to which he had sent him, and had spent the night at the
+farm; so they soon after started together, the knight feeling most
+thankful to be rid of his ghostly bride."
+
+Charles's story met with perhaps more applause even than it deserved.
+He confessed that it was a very free translation of a German tale he had
+read somewhere, but it was not admired the less for all that.
+
+Two days after this a carriage drove up to the door, and out of it
+stepped Buttar and Ellis.  Ernest knew nothing of their coming.  It was
+a surprise his father wished to give him.  The boys were delighted to
+meet each other, and kept shaking hands till they nearly dislocated each
+other's wrists.  Buttar, who had come from a distance, had picked up
+Ellis on the way.  The parents of the latter were glad to have him with
+a companion like Ernest, from whom, from his account, they believed he
+could reap so much benefit.
+
+Not long after another carriage arrived, and great was the delight of
+all parties when Lemon and Tom Bouldon's faces were seen looking out of
+the window.
+
+"This is jolly!--how delightful!--how capital!--what fun!" were some of
+the exclamations which escaped the boys' lips as they shook hands with
+each other.
+
+"And the frost has begun here, as I suppose it had with you," added
+Ernest.  "And the gardener says he is certain that the ponds will bear
+to-morrow, and if they do, we shall have some magnificent skating.
+There is not a particle of snow on the ice, and when it set there was a
+perfect calm, so that it is as smooth--as smooth--what shall I say?--as
+ice can be.  Oh, we shall have some first-rate skating, and hockey,
+perhaps, and sleighing also, such as people have in Canada.  John has
+had a sleigh built, such as he saw when he went over there in the last
+long vacation.  He proposes to drive young Hotspur in it.  We shall fly
+over the ground at a tremendous rate if he does.  There isn't a horse in
+the country like young Hotspur for going.  My pony, whom we call
+Larkspur, is first-rate of his sort; but when I am riding out with any
+one mounted on young Hotspur I feel just as if I was on board a small
+yacht with the `Alarm' or one of those large fast racing cutters in
+company.  You have all brought your skates I hope.  If you have not, I
+dare say we have some spare ones which will fit you.  We have had them
+given to us at different times, and most of my brothers have outgrown
+theirs, so that I have no doubt we shall find enough.  Oh, Ellis, do you
+say that you cannot skate?  Never mind, you will soon learn.  You have
+learned many things more difficult.  I'll undertake that you will be
+quite at home on your skates in the course of a week."
+
+So Ernest ran on, as he conducted his friends round the house, to
+exhibit to them its numberless attractions, and to show them their
+rooms.  They could not fail to be pleased, for the house, although not
+fitted up with anything like luxury, contained within itself abundance
+of objects to afford amusement and instruction to the inmates when
+confined by bad weather.
+
+There was a first-rate library, in the first place, and a very
+interesting museum, illustrating all parts of the world.  The articles
+in it were well arranged, and every one had a clearly written and full
+description attached to it.  The articles from each country were placed
+together, and the countries were arranged according to their respective
+quarters of the globe.  There were good maps, and many pictures
+illustrating the scenery or habits and customs of the inhabitants.  Many
+hours might be passed profitably in it, which is not often the case with
+museums.  At all events, I have never found that I could carry away much
+information from one.  At the same time, I own that I think very likely
+I may have a more correct notion of the forms of animals, and of the
+shape of boats and buildings of foreign countries, than I should possess
+had I not visited the British Museum, and others of less note.  The most
+advantageous way of visiting a general museum is to go with a definite
+object each time, and to attend exclusively to that object.  I have
+never seen a museum better arranged than that which had been formed by
+Mr Bracebridge, aided by his sons, who were great collectors for it,
+and accordingly took a warm interest in its success.  However, not only
+studiously disposed people found amusement in the house.  There was a
+billiard table, and foils, and boxing-gloves, and single-sticks, and
+basket-sticks, and implements for all sorts of less athletic games at
+which ladies can play.
+
+"Why, Ernest, you live in a perfect paradise of a home," exclaimed
+Buttar, as at last they reached the sleeping-rooms which Mrs
+Bracebridge had appropriated to her young guests.
+
+"My father and mother make it so," said Ernest, enthusiastically.  "They
+regulate everything so well, and yet we have such perfect liberty.  Our
+father trusts us entirely.  He tells us that there are certain things
+which he does not wish us to do--sometimes he gives us his reasons, and
+very good ones they are; at other times he gives no reason, but simply
+says we are not to do certain other things, and we know that his reasons
+are good, so we do not think of doing them.  Frequently he leaves us to
+act according to our discretion, and gives us only general rules for our
+guidance."
+
+Buttar could thoroughly appreciate the advantages his friend possessed,
+for they were advantages of no ordinary kind, and were the cause of the
+superiority he possessed over the greater number of his companions.
+
+What a merry evening that was on which the boys arrived!  Lemon had met
+Charles Bracebridge in Germany, though it was only just before the
+holidays he discovered that Ernest was his brother.  He now came more
+especially to visit him.  He was of a more suitable age than Ernest for
+a companion.
+
+There was a Christmas-tree loaded with really useful prizes, so that all
+the boys were glad enough to obtain some of them, and their distribution
+caused great fun; then they had a most uproarious game of blindman's
+buff.  Some of them dressed up in all sorts of costumes, so that when
+they were caught, the blind man could not tell who they were.
+
+Bouldon made a capital blind man.  He rushed furiously here and there,
+over everybody and everything, never minding where he went, shrieking
+with laughter all the time, but keeping his hands well out before his
+head, so that he ran no chance of knocking it against the wall.  More
+than once Tom came head over heels down on the ground; but amid the
+shouts of laughter, in which he himself heartily joined, having stood on
+his head for a minute, he leaped up, and made a desperate dash at some
+of the players.  At last he caught Buttar, who also made a very amusing
+blind man, and though he suffered several mishaps, never for a moment
+lost his temper.
+
+Among Buttar's very many good qualities, a fine temper was one.  Nothing
+ever put him out, though he was often much tried.  He was good-tempered
+by nature, but he was also good-tempered from principle.  He knew how
+wrong it is to lose temper, and he despised the frivolous excuses often
+made by people for doing so.  The game of blindman's buff lasted a
+wonderfully long time.  At last the ladies began to think that it had
+become almost too boisterous, and Lemon, who was a capital hand at
+starting games, proposed the game of "baste the bear."
+
+"What's that?" asked Buttar.  "In all my experience I never heard of
+that game."
+
+"I'll show you, then.  Who knows it?  Do any of you?"
+
+Tom Bouldon acknowledged that he did.
+
+"Very well, Tom; you must be the first bear.  I'll be your keeper," said
+Lemon.  "Properly speaking, everybody ought to draw lots as to who
+should be bear, and the bear selects his keeper.  However, we will
+suppose that preliminary got over.  All the rest of the company are to
+tie their handkerchiefs into knots, with which to baste the bear.  Now,
+I, as keeper, will fasten a rope round the waist of the bear, leaving a
+scope of about five feet.  We take our position within a circle of about
+five feet in diameter, in the centre of the room.  Here the circle is
+easily formed by tacking a little red tape down to the carpet.  If I, as
+keeper, touch anybody without dragging the bear out of the ring, that
+person must become bear, and may select his keeper; or if the bear
+catches anybody by the legs, and holds him fast in the same way, he must
+take the bear's place.  Now we are all ready.  Very well, then, hit away
+with all your might."
+
+Tom looked very lugubrious as, taking up his position, he saw the
+preparations making for his basting.
+
+"Oh, oh, oh!  Don't, kind gentlemen, hit hard," he cried out in piteous
+accents; and then in a deep tone he added, "if you do, to a certainty
+I'll catch hold of some of you, and make you rue the day."
+
+Nothing daunted by Tom's threats, the party began to attack him
+vigorously; but they ran no little risk of being caught by Lemon, who
+sprang out on them to the full length of the rope, now and then almost
+pulling Tom out of his line; Bouldon also was very active, especially
+when any of his schoolfellows came near him.  He growled and roared in a
+very wild-beast-like way, sometimes springing at Ernest, sometimes at
+Buttar or Ellis.  Frank, the midshipman, also came in for an equal share
+of his attentions, and he seemed to consider that he was much on a par
+with him.  The moment Frank understood the game, he played as vehemently
+as anybody.  He said that it was a capital game, and that he should
+introduce it on board the next ship he joined.  In spite of all his
+activity, Tom got many a hard lick, and still he remained a bear.  At
+last he pretended to be so weary of his exertions, that he could not
+attempt to capture one of his tormentors.  Those who were acquainted
+with Tom best, and saw his eye, knew that he was not to be trusted.  The
+midshipman, however, was not up to him, and rushing in, found himself
+grasped tightly round the knee by the seeming half-sleeping bear.
+
+"I thought that I should catch you, Frank," cried Bouldon, shouting in
+triumph.  "Now please go and turn into a bear, and take care that you
+don't get into a butter boat."
+
+Frank had therefore to become the bear.  He chose Ellis as his keeper.
+Never was a more extraordinary bear seen.  He stood on his head; he
+jumped about with his feet in his hands, and rolled round and round as a
+ball; and when anybody came near to baste him, he jumped and kicked
+about in so wonderful a way that no one could hit him.  Every one also
+saw that he was very likely to catch them if they ventured near.
+
+At last Charles, the narrator of the German ghost story, got caught, and
+he chose his brother John as his keeper.  They tried to catch one of
+their sisters, or some of the eldest of the family, but were very glad
+at length, so pestered were they by Bouldon, to catch him, when in a
+daring mood he ventured near them.  Thus the game went on, and many
+other games succeeded, till bed-time at last arrived, and the boys
+exclaimed with one voice, "Well, we have had a jolly evening!"
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Note 1.  A wreath of rosemary is worn by the dead in many parts of
+Germany.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AND WINTER AMUSEMENTS.
+
+"Hurra! it was a terrific frost last night! the ice bears, and the
+gardener says we might drive a coach and six over it," exclaimed Ernest,
+rushing into Buttar's and Bouldon's room.  "Up! up!  Let us breakfast,
+and go down and try it.  Get up, do, and I'll go and tell the other
+fellows.  John has been getting his sleigh ready, and harnessing young
+Hotspur; so I don't doubt he intends trying the ice to-day."
+
+Soon all the merry party were assembled in the breakfast-room.  Just
+before nine Mr Bracebridge made his appearance, followed immediately by
+the rest of the family, and read a chapter in the Bible, and Morning
+Prayers.  Then, when everybody had selected their places, he advised
+them to apply themselves to the cold viands, under which the sideboard
+literally groaned.  With wonderful rapidity, eggs and ham, and brawn,
+and veal pie, and tongues, disappeared down their throats, mingled with
+toast, and rolls, and muffins, and slices from huge loaves of home-made
+bread, and cups of coffee, and tea, and chocolate.  Bouldon did great
+execution among the viands, and he did not allow his modesty to stand in
+his way.  At last breakfast was over, and then gimlets, and bradawls,
+and spare straps were in great requisition, to enable them to fit on
+their skates before they went to the pond.  Some had spring skates,
+which were very quickly put on, the spring, which was between the sole
+of the boot and the sole of the skate, keeping all the straps tight, at
+the same time without any undue pressure.  John Bracebridge was
+celebrated as a first-rate skater.  His skates were secured to a pair of
+ankle boots, which fitted him exactly, and laced up in front.  He put
+them on at the pond.  There are two objections to that sort of skate.
+One is, that the feet get chilled from putting on a cold pair of boots,
+and if a person is skating away from home, he may not be able to find
+anybody to take care of his shoes.
+
+"Are all the skates ready?" cried Ernest.
+
+"All! all!" was the answer.
+
+"Then don't let us lose more time of this precious frost," he added.
+"Remember, it may very speedily be over; so let us make the best of it
+we can."
+
+In a laughing, merry body, with skates in hand, they hurried down
+through the grounds to the pond.  It might well have been called a lake,
+for it was an extensive and very picturesque sheet of water, almost
+entirely surrounded by trees, with now and then an opening bordered by a
+plot of grass, or a bend of the grand walk which ran round it.  Here and
+there was an island with a few birch-trees or willows growing on it, and
+over the trees could be seen, rising in the distance, a downy hill, now
+sprinkled with some snow which had fallen the night before the frost
+regularly set in, and which had thus not affected the surface of the
+lake.  At the lower end the ground fell, and a long stream-like
+serpentine channel could be seen winding away, in one place overhung by
+trees, and in others between green meadows, till lost in the distance.
+The lower part was, in the summer, the favourite resort of anglers, for
+it contained some of the finest tench to be found anywhere in the
+neighbourhood.
+
+No time was lost by those accustomed to skating in putting on their
+skates.  John and Charles Bracebridge and Lemon had soon theirs ready,
+and rising on their feet, off they struck like birds about to fly, and
+away they went at a rapid rate, skimming over the smooth mirror-like
+expanse.  Ernest longed to follow, for he had his skates on, and skated
+almost as well as they did; but he saw Ellis sitting down, having just
+cleverly enough put on his skates, but unable to move on them.
+
+"Come, Ellis! up on your feet, my dear fellow, and lean on me," he
+exclaimed, gliding up to him.  "Take this stick in your right hand.  Be
+sure that you can stand on your feet; your ankles are as strong as those
+of other people, and your skates are as well put on.  Look at Buttar,
+and Bouldon, and me.  You will be able to skate as easily as any of us
+with a little practice.  There is no necessity why you should tumble
+down.  You can balance yourself off the ice perfectly, on the gymnastic
+poles, and in other ways.  Now, hurra!--off you go!"
+
+Ernest knew that Ellis required all sorts of encouragement, so he said
+more to him than he would to any other boy.  Ellis at last got up; his
+ankles slipped about a little, but he was anxious to follow his friend's
+advice.  In a short time he felt that he could stand firmly on the ice;
+then he slipped about, pushing one skate before the other.  First he
+helped himself on with his stick, and then he balanced himself with it,
+and in an incredibly short time could move about so as to feel little
+fear of falling.
+
+"Now," exclaimed Ernest, "I have set you on your feet, I'll go and take
+a skim over the surface.  Remember, the more you practise, and the
+faster you throw away fear, the sooner you will be able to do the same.
+Good-bye!"
+
+Away went Ernest, fleet as the wind, holding his right hand up before
+him to balance himself, and disdaining any stick for the purpose.  He
+did not stop to hear Ellis utter his thanks and regrets at having kept
+him so long from commencing the graceful exercise in which he so much
+delighted.  Ernest certainly did not enjoy it the less from having first
+performed a good-natured action for his friend.  He, and Bouldon, and
+Frank looked on with admiration as he went gliding away over the ice; so
+easily, so gracefully he moved, now inclining to one side, now to the
+other, moving on apparently without the slightest exertion.
+
+"There is not another fellow like him in the universe," exclaimed
+Bouldon, enthusiastically.  "It will be a happy day when he is the cock
+of our school; and that he soon will be, for he could, if he chose,
+thrash many fellows twice his size already."
+
+"I'm glad to hear you say that," answered Frank, not less warmly.
+"Ernest was always a pet of mine; we never quarrelled when we were
+together.  I wish that I could have him to go to sea with me.  He's just
+the fellow to be a general favourite in the navy, and to get on in it,
+too.  He must do that."
+
+Ellis could scarcely trust himself to speak, but he was not the less
+pleased to hear his friend thus eulogised.  He knew that he thought him
+superior to anybody else, but he was not aware that he was held in such
+high estimation by his own family.  Buttar and Lemon, coming up before
+the subject had been changed, added their own meed of praise to that
+which the others had awarded.  Meantime Ernest, unconscious of what was
+being said, after circling the pond with what is called the forward
+roll, changing it to the Dutch--so denominated because it is the
+movement employed by the Dutch peasants as they skate over their canals
+and lagoons on their way to market--then began making figures of eight,
+the spread-eagle, the back roll, not to mention many other figures and
+evolutions, which perfectly astonished Ellis as he looked at them.
+Frank had not skated for a long time; but, undaunted, he soon had on his
+skates, and away he went, furiously on, as if he had suddenly been
+converted into a battering-ram.  So fast did he go that he could not
+stop himself, and overtaking a stout gentleman, who was going
+deliberately along, before he could beg him to get out of his way he ran
+right up against him, and the consequence was, that he and the stout
+gentlemen came to the ice together, making a very considerable star, and
+a noise which was still more terrific.  First there was the sudden crash
+and rending asunder of the thick ice, and then the noise went rolling
+and mumbling away to the other end of the pond.
+
+"Hallo! young gentleman, we shall be in! we shall be in!" cried the
+stout gentleman, in an agony of fear.
+
+"I can swim, if we are," answered Frank, scarcely refraining his
+laughter.  "But beg pardon, sir; my skates ran away with me--they did
+indeed; and if I hadn't fallen foul of you, they would have carried me
+right across the pond.  I'll help you up, though.  You are not hurt, I
+hope."
+
+"Not much, I believe.  I came down on you, and you formed a soft
+cushion," answered the stout gentleman, good-naturedly.  "But as to
+helping me up, do not, I pray you, attempt it on any account; we shall
+both of us go in if you do.  Let us both roll away in opposite
+directions from the crack before we attempt to get on our feet.  See how
+I manage."
+
+As the stout gentleman spoke, he began slowly to roll himself over and
+over away from the centre of the star, and Frank imitating him, they
+were both of them soon again on their legs.  Frank was going off again
+at full speed, having once more repeated his apologies for his
+carelessness, when the stout gentleman stopped him.
+
+"We must not leave others to fall into the danger from which we have
+escaped," he cried out.  "I observed, just now, some triangles with
+labels on the top, marked cracked and dangerous.  We will get one and
+place it over the spot."
+
+"I'll go and get the sign-posts you speak of," said Frank.  "Don't
+trouble yourself, sir."
+
+"Then I will keep guard round the spot, to prevent any unwary person
+from approaching it," said the stout gentleman.
+
+Frank, on his return, found him going round and round the star.
+
+"By to-morrow, I daresay, the wound will have healed," he remarked.  "By
+pressing it gradually down, as I have been doing, the water will have
+risen into the interstices and have frozen the broken pieces together."
+
+"I hope, sir, that I shall not be so clumsy again.  I may not always
+meet people ready to take a knock-down so good-naturedly as you have
+done," said the midshipman.
+
+Frank and the stout gentleman became great friends after this, and Frank
+obtained from him many useful hints about skating.  Meantime, several
+other people assembled on the lake, which now presented a very animated
+spectacle.  Frank having come back to see how Ellis was getting on,
+found Ernest with him, giving him some further instruction, from which
+the pupil was much benefiting.
+
+"Well, Ernest," said Frank, "we have not had a skate together for a long
+time.  What do you say to a race round the pond?  I have got the use of
+my legs, I find, pretty well, but I don't think I could come any of
+those twists and turns, and spread-eagle kind of things."
+
+Ernest said that he should be delighted to race his brother Frank, but
+advised him to curb his impetuosity.
+
+"Oh, never fear!  I've no other notion of going ahead but by putting on
+all the steam.  My engines don't work at half-pressure," answered the
+midshipman.  "Who'll start us?  Buttar, will you?"
+
+"With all my heart," answered Buttar.  "Now get in line.  Remember, the
+course is right round the pond, in and out into all the bays, and
+between all the islands.  Now, once to make ready, twice to prepare.
+Once, twice, thrice, and--" Frank was so eager, that he was off almost
+before the word was out of Buttar's mouth--"away!"
+
+Off went the racers, the rest of the party following, but making short
+cuts so as to observe their proceedings.  The contrast between the two
+brothers' style was very amusing.  Ernest's was all science or art,
+which enabled him to move gracefully along without any apparent
+exertion.  All he did was to keep his hands waving slowly, to expedite
+his movements as he swept round an island or into a bay, and to preserve
+his balance.  Frank, on the contrary, had very little skill or science.
+All he did was by sheer muscular power, with a determination to keep his
+legs, and to go on ahead.  The skates went deeply into the ice as he
+struck out, and he seemed rather to be running than skating, with such
+rapidity did he put one foot before the other.  All the time his arms
+were in violent motion, while he flourished a stout oak stick, thick
+enough to fell a buffalo, and at the top of his voice kept shouting and
+shrieking with laughter, calling on Ernest to heave-to for him, or to
+port or starboard his helm, or to keep along in shore, and not attempt
+to make short cuts.
+
+Ernest was very much amused at his nautical brother's mode of
+proceeding, and he could not help suspecting that Frank was assuming a
+considerably greater amount of roughness than he really possessed.
+However, Ernest found that he had to skate his very best to keep ahead
+of him, when going in a direct line, though he beat him hollow whenever
+they had to make turns between the islands and the mainland, or to pass
+along the sinuosities of the bays.  Still it seemed surprising,
+considering the little practice he had had, how perfectly at home Frank
+was on his feet.  Ernest made a remark of that sort to him.
+
+"Not a bit surprising, old fellow," he answered.  "It is simply because
+I know the skates can do the work I put them to.  A fellow who has
+learned to stand on the deck of a ship, rolling her guns in the water,
+and pitching bows under, and has had to furl top-gallant sails with a
+hurricane blowing in his teeth, can easily do anything of this sort, if
+he has the mind to do it.  I am not like you, Ernest; you see I have
+been scorching under tropical suns, while you have had time to practise
+the art of skating."
+
+They could not, however, talk very much as they went flying round the
+pond.  Buttar and Bouldon, and Ellis and others sung out, "A race, a
+race, a race!" and attracted the attention of the rest of the people on
+the ice, who all stopped skating to look at them.  It seemed still a
+doubtful point which would get in the first.  Perhaps Ernest had not
+gone as rapidly as he might, that he might give Frank the pleasure of
+keeping up with him.  There was a long clear run nearly from one end of
+the pond to the other.  They were just about to do it.  Ernest was a
+little ahead of Frank, so that he could turn his head over his shoulder
+to talk to him.  Ernest came gliding smoothly on.  "Skurry, skurry,
+skurry; clatter, clatter; _ez-z-ez_," came Frank.  I cannot better
+describe the noise made by his skates.  Utter fearlessness was evidently
+the secret of his power.  On he came, as little fatigued, in spite of
+all his exertions, as when he started.
+
+"Heave-to, old fellow, I say; heave-to!  Give us a tow, then, for I see
+how it is; you intend to keep ahead, though how you do it I can't tell,"
+he continued to cry out as he approached the end of the pond, where
+Buttar and the rest stood ready to receive them.  Ernest, as might be
+supposed, came in first, and gracefully wheeled round after he had
+touched Buttar's hand.  On came Frank, hurrahing and shouting, "Second
+in, at all events."  Touching Buttar's hand, on he went.  Was the bank
+to stop him?  Not it.  Up it he went, across the gravel walk, through
+the bushes, and down a bank into a meadow below, where was another piece
+of water, across which he shot, and then over another walk into the long
+canal pond, down which he went, shouting and laughing louder than ever.
+
+"Our race is to the end of the ponds, Ernest, remember that.  Ponds, old
+fellow! why don't you come on?"
+
+Tom Bouldon, delighted, went after him, as did two or three other boys
+from the neighbourhood who were not skating; but Ernest was afraid of
+spoiling his skates, by giving them such rough usage, and left Frank to
+enjoy his fun, and to boast that he had beaten him in the long run.  It
+was some time before Frank returned, his exploit causing a great deal of
+amusement to all present.  Some time before this a fire, with a large
+screen of matting to keep off the wind, had been seen to blaze up, and
+now a horn sounding, the party on the ice assembled round it.  They
+found servants roasting potatoes under the ashes, which were served out
+with plates of salt, and butter, and toast, to all who asked for them,
+while at the same time hot punch was handed about to the visitors.
+
+"Capital stuff this!" cried Tom Bouldon, smacking his lips, after he had
+quaffed a glass of it, and, turning to Buttar, "I wish that the Doctor
+would provide us with something of the sort in an afternoon in cold
+weather.  It's warm lemonade, with a little wine in it, I suspect.  I'll
+take another glass of it, if you please."
+
+Of course the servants handed Tom as many glasses as he asked for.
+Buttar took two or three.  Away they skated.  At first Tom got on very
+well, but in a few minutes he declared that the ice had become more
+slippery than ever, and that he had the greatest difficulty in keeping
+his legs; at the same time, that he felt a strong inclination to push on
+ahead.
+
+"I say, Buttar, I believe that I could race the wind.  Come, let us try;
+I don't mind what I do," he exclaimed, as he skated on furiously.  "I
+don't mind what I do--do you?"
+
+Buttar himself felt rather excited, but he suspected the cause, and
+recommended Tom to come and sit down with him on the bank till they
+became more composed.  It was fortunate that they found out in time the
+strength of the punch, or they might have been, as some of the visitors
+to the pond were, by their own imprudence, completely overcome.
+
+Tom was very glad that he had escaped committing himself, and much
+obliged to Buttar for warning him.  He had bully Blackall's career
+before his eyes to warn him of the effects of drunkenness, and dreaded
+by any chance being led into it.  He more than once went up to the fire
+for a hot potato, but each time the punch was offered him he wisely
+declined taking it.  By the end of the day everybody declared that never
+was known so perfect a first day of skating.  Most of the party, except
+the more practised skaters, were not a little stiff and sore from the
+exertions and tumbles.  Ellis could scarcely move a limb, and Frank
+declared that he felt as if he had been fighting away the whole day.
+They had, indeed, been on their feet from half-past ten in the morning
+till nearly dark.
+
+The next day much the same scenes were enacted.
+
+After luncheon, a jingling of bells was heard, and young Hotspur
+appeared, drawing an elegant American sleigh.  John Bracebridge, who was
+driving, dashed fearlessly on to the ice.  The steed seemed delighted to
+have so slight a weight after him.  The sleigh--so it is called in
+Canada and throughout America--had a seat in front for the driver, and
+an easy sloping one behind for two passengers.  A handsome fur rug hung
+over it behind, almost reaching the ground, while there were two or
+three buffalo skins, in which those in the carriage might effectually
+wrap themselves up.  Instead of having wheels, the carriage was placed
+on runners, two skates as it were, made of iron, with a frame-work
+lifting the body of the carriage about a foot, or a foot and a half,
+from the ground, and giving it a very light appearance.  The harness was
+ornamented with little silvery sounding bells, and fringe, and tufts of
+red worsted, which made the whole turn-out look very gay.  It gained
+universal admiration, and two ladies were easily persuaded by John
+Bracebridge to get into it, and to be driven round and round the pond.
+
+"You may fancy yourselves transported suddenly to Canada, and whisking
+away over the Saint Lawrence," he observed, turning round as he drove
+on; "only I assure you that so smooth a piece of ice as this is rarely
+found to drive over.  In Lower Canada especially, the sleighs are driven
+on the roads over the snow; but the old-fashioned French Canadian
+sleigh, used by all the country people, is so low that the front part
+sweeps the snow before it, and thus ridges are quickly formed all across
+the road.  Another sleigh following has to surmount the ridges, and of
+necessity digs down on the opposite side, and scoops out more of the
+snow.  Sometimes, also, they slide off either on one side or the other,
+and thus a succession of hills or waves, as it were, are made with
+slides, which send the sleighs nearly off the road on one side or the
+other, and make the driving away from the larger cities very far from
+pleasant.  About Quebec, however, the roads are kept in good order, and
+sleighing is there a very agreeable amusement."
+
+As young Hotspur could not go trotting round and round the pond all day,
+John at last drove him home, and then Frank proposed a game of hockey on
+the ice.  He had provided a supply of sticks and a ball, and the
+proposal was welcomed with applause.  The people present were not long
+in forming sides.  Charles undertook to lead one side, Frank the other.
+Frank got his stout friend to be on his side, but he generally chose
+boys.  He got Ernest and all his schoolfellows, except Lemon, who joined
+Charles, and there were several other boys who skated pretty well, and,
+as he said, looked plucky.  A person must know how to balance himself
+well to play hockey on skates, otherwise, after having struck the ball,
+he is very likely to allow his stick to swing round, and to bring him
+over.  There were twenty people on a side, big and little; but the
+shorter ones had decidedly the advantage, and ran away with the ball
+whenever they got up to it, driving it before them before any of the
+opposite party could overtake them.  Ernest gave his brother some useful
+hints, from which he profited.  The same tactics which Ernest had often
+employed at school Frank brought into play.  The chief point in his plan
+was to keep three or four boys together, one to follow up another.  If
+the leader missed, then number two ran in; if he failed to strike, then
+number three, and so on.  The stout gentleman also turned out to be a
+capital player.  He went on the "sure and steady wins the race"
+principle.  Quietly yet rapidly he glided about after the ball, and when
+he got up to it, never failed to strike it, and to strike hard too.  His
+exertions indeed mainly contributed to the success of Ernest's side,
+which triumphantly gained the day.  Several games were played, and each
+time Ernest's side was victorious, though the defeated party took it
+very good-humouredly.  Charles, however, observed that he had received
+several lessons from his opponents, and that he thought they would not
+find him so easily beaten again.
+
+"Don't be too sure of that, Charlie," sung out Frank.  "We also intend
+to-morrow to play twice as well as we did yesterday.  Our motto is,
+`We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.'"
+
+The morrow came, and a great game of hockey was the absorbing amusement
+of the day; even young Hotspur and the sleigh failed to attract so much
+interest.  The stout gentleman was in his glory.  He appeared with a
+hockey-stick of his own manufacture, and in garments which, if not
+graceful, precluded any of the youngsters from catching hold of his
+tails.  There were the same sides as on the previous day, with several
+additional players; but none of them were very good, nor did they add
+much to the relative strength of each party.  Ernest was the first to
+place the ball on the ice to strike it.  The instant his stick
+descended, and the ball went whirling away over the smooth glass-like
+surface of the ice, Frank, followed by Buttar, Bouldon, and Ellis,
+darted forth with tremendous speed in the hopes of reaching it before
+any of the opposite party, and of driving it home; but before they could
+strike, Charles and Lemon were up to it, and sent it flying back again.
+The stout gentleman, however, who had only moved slowly on, saw it
+coming, and gliding up as it slid on towards him, struck it a blow which
+sent it two-thirds of the way across the pond once more.  Frank, Ernest,
+and Buttar were up to it, Bouldon and Ellis keeping a little way behind
+them: Frank struck the ball, and sent it flying on, but it was into the
+midst of their opponents, who quickly drove it back again, when Bouldon,
+skating up, prevented it getting between Charles and Lemon, who stood
+prepared to drive it up to the goal, if, as they hoped, they could elude
+the vigilance of the stout gentleman.  He, however, was not asleep, and
+watching their movements, as Tom Bouldon observed, as keenly as a
+boa-constrictor, glided swiftly up to the spot where they had driven the
+ball, and sent it spinning back, till once more Frank and Ernest got it
+within their power.  Thus the game continued fluctuating; but finally,
+after many a bandy here and there, and many a tussle between the
+opposing parties, not a few upsets and other catastrophes, it was sent
+up to Ernest, who struck it a blow which sent it flying along between
+everybody, nobody being able to stop it up to the goal.
+
+The next game was, however, still more severely contested; and at last,
+by desperate struggles, was won by Charles' party.  Ellis had made
+wonderful progress in skating, thanks to Ernest's lessons, and his own
+resolution to overcome all difficulties.  Of course, he got several
+severe tumbles, but he always picked himself up and went away again as
+if nothing had been the matter.  In a short time he overcame all fear,
+and obtained the complete mastery over his feet.
+
+"I should like to have your friend Ellis with me at sea for a few
+months," said Frank to Ernest, as they watched him tumble down and get
+up again, and go several times in succession to practise on the outside
+edge, undeterred by failures.  "I like the fellow's spirit, and I am
+sure that there is a great deal to be made out of him."
+
+"I am sure there is," was the reply.  "At the same time, he is really so
+talented, and so good-hearted and humble-minded.  He is one of my
+greatest friends.  He trusts me, and I trust him, and that is, I
+suspect, the true secret of friendship."
+
+Another day, Frank, taking a hint from John's sleigh, rigged out one
+with ropes.  It was little more than a wide plank on runners, with seats
+for two people.  The boys harnessed themselves to it, and invited the
+visitors to the lake to come and be dragged along.  They had many
+applications for the honour, and it was a source of great amusement.  No
+one seemed weary of dragging the sleigh, or of being dragged in it.
+Round and round the pond they went, often at so tremendous a pace that
+those being dragged shrieked out with terror; but their alarm could not
+have been very great, for when they were asked if they would go on again
+they never refused, or if they did, it was to let some sister or friend
+take their places.  The next day three similar sleighs appeared, but
+they were covered with cloaks or rugs, and each had a flag of a
+different colour flying in front of it.  As each sleigh required several
+persons to drag it, nearly all the gentlemen skaters were in a short
+time turned into horses, while the ladies were all eager to be dragged
+along; so away they all went, skating round and round the lake, and
+those who looked on could distinguish where their friends were by the
+colour of the flags.  Sometimes they raced, and then the excitement was
+tremendous.  However, one of the sleighs was upset, and the passengers
+thrown out, and the skaters sent here and there, some on their backs,
+and some on all-fours, to the alarm of those at a distance, and to the
+great amusement of those near, and who knew that no one was hurt.  Mr
+Bracebridge, after this, prohibited racing with sleighs, for fear of
+accidents of a more serious character.
+
+It is impossible to describe minutely all the amusements of those
+memorable Christmas holidays.  A fortnight passed away, and though the
+glass-like appearance of the ice had somewhat disappeared, owing to the
+innumerable cuts its surface had received from careless skaters, the
+skating was continued with unabated ardour.  Then came down a heavy fall
+of snow, which completely covered the ponds with a thick coat.
+Passages, were, however, swept across the ice, but the interest of
+skating was somewhat diminished.  More snow followed, and then, except
+on small patches and walks which, with some exertion, were kept clear by
+the gardeners, there was no room whatever for skating.  Notwithstanding
+this there were abundant sources of amusement.  The younger guests were
+fortunate in having so good a master of the revels as Frank, the
+midshipman.
+
+"Hurra, boys, a bright idea!" he exclaimed, one morning at breakfast,
+when some of the party were lamenting the destruction of the ice.
+"We'll build a castle of snow; not a puny little affair, but a castle
+with high walls and parapets, and a deep ditch and outworks, such as
+cannot be captured without hard fighting.  However, as we don't really
+wish to kill each other, instead of cutlasses and bayonets, and swords,
+and pistols, and all those sorts of deadly weapons, we will use good
+honest snowballs.  We'll build the castle first, and choose sides
+afterwards, so that no one will know whether they are going to defend or
+attack it, and no one inclined to be treacherous will leave any weak
+places.  There is a high mound in Beech-tree meadow, which will make a
+capital foundation, and save a great deal of labour.  Who is for it?"
+
+Of course, all the younger guests were delighted with Frank's proposal.
+Mr Bracebridge also entered into it.  "You shall have the assistance of
+all the gardeners, who can do nothing during this weather," he observed;
+"I will tell them also to engage half-a-dozen men thrown out of work;
+they with their barrows will much expedite the operation."
+
+"Thank you, papa; thank you, sir," exclaimed the boys; and as soon as
+breakfast was over most of them jumped up ready to go to the scene of
+action.  Ernest, however, said that he had his holiday task to go
+through, and that he must give one hour to that while he was fresh, and
+before he allowed his thoughts to be occupied with the amusements of the
+day.  This reminded Buttar and Ellis that they had their tasks, to which
+they had as yet paid very little attention.  Bouldon was inclined to
+think this proposal to study a very slow proceeding, as he had been in
+the habit of not looking at his task till the last week of the holidays,
+and often he did not finish off learning it till he was on his way to
+school.  Now, however, as Ernest and others set the example, he began to
+think that he ought to do something.
+
+"Very well," observed Frank; "we will not start for an hour and a
+quarter; that will give you time to get out your books; and if you all
+read hard, you will do something.  I'll go to school, too, and rub up my
+navigation."
+
+Ernest, followed by his guests, accordingly repaired to the study.  Tom
+Bouldon, on looking into his portmanteau, found that, by the most
+unaccountable negligence, as he said, the servant had not packed up any
+of his school-books, but had put in instead a copy of "Robinson Crusoe,"
+"Tom Cringle's Log," and the "Boy's Own Book."  However, Ernest and
+Ellis between them were able to supply him; so Master Tom, having no
+excuse for idleness, set to with a will, and was surprised with the
+progress he made, and the satisfaction it afforded him.
+
+"Well, I really think I will do a bit of my task every day till it is
+finished," he exclaimed, as Frank, pulling out his watch, told the party
+that time was up, and that they might set off for the scene of action.
+
+When they reached Beech-tree Meadow, they found a quantity of snow
+already collected from a distance in the neighbourhood of the mound.  On
+one side, a little way off, was a miniature castle, which Frank said he
+had got up early in the morning to construct, so that everybody might
+see what they were about.  The model was much admired, and Frank acting
+as architect, the work proceeded with wonderful rapidity.  Some carried
+the snow; others acted as masons, and piled it up and smoothed it off,
+he, standing in the middle, aiding and directing.  A circular tower of
+fully twenty feet in diameter was quickly raised, and fully fifteen feet
+high, and finished off at the summit in a castellated form, with a
+parapet; and then there was an outer wall with a deep ditch; between
+them and the tower was a gateway, and a bridge, constructed partly of
+snow and partly of planks, led to it.  It really had, when finished, a
+very imposing appearance, and looked as capable of resisting a foe as
+one of the Martello towers which guard the coasts of Great Britain.
+
+Frank had, in the morning, despatched an invitation to all the boys he
+knew of in the neighbourhood to come and join in the sport, and by the
+afternoon a large army was collected.  Everybody was too eager in the
+work to go in to luncheon, so it was brought out to them.  At last all
+was ready.  Lemon undertook to be the leader of one party; of course,
+Frank acted as general of the other.  Ernest, and Buttar, and Ellis were
+on Frank's side; Bouldon, with Charles, and some of the other
+Bracebridges, joined Lemon.  There were besides some twenty or more boys
+on either side, so that there were fully fifty combatants.  They tossed
+up as to which side was to defend and which to attack the castle.  Lemon
+got the first choice, and undertook the defence of the place.  A flag on
+a pole was hoisted in the centre, and till this was hauled down the
+castle was not to be considered as captured.  As soon as these
+preliminaries were arranged, all hands set to work to manufacture
+snowballs.  Several piles were made at short distances surrounding the
+castle.  These might be captured by a sortie.  There were also flags on
+staffs stuck about which might be taken.  On the outworks of the castle
+and on the walls were several flags.  Piles of snowballs were placed
+inside the castle walls, and there were also heaps of snow out of which
+others could be manufactured.  Lemon had brought his horn, and the
+besieging army had a couple among them, which had a very fine effect.
+
+Frank, having marshalled his troops, formed them into three divisions,
+which were to attack simultaneously on different sides.  Ernest led one,
+Buttar another, and Frank commanded the third party in person.  These
+arrangements were made out of sight of the castle; and, to give more
+effect to the attack, the army marched through the woods sounding their
+horns, which were answered by a note of defiance from the castle.
+
+"It is getting somewhat cold," exclaimed Buttar, who was practical in
+his notions.  "The fellows inside must be colder still, waiting for us.
+All our valour will be frozen up.  Let us begin to warm up our blood."
+
+"Certainly, Colonel Buttar," answered Frank, laughing.  "A very sensible
+remark.  On, brave army to the attack!  Death or victory!  Don't mind
+the snowballs.  Turn your heads into battering-rams, and your pockets
+into arsenals, and the place will quickly be ours.  Now, Colonels
+Bracebridge and Buttar, lead round your men to the positions allotted to
+you."
+
+"Too-too-too!" sounded the horns louder than ever, and the three
+divisions burst at the same moment out of the woods, and advanced to
+take up their positions near where their ammunition had been piled up,
+of the existence of which the defenders of the castle were supposed,
+till that moment, not to be aware.
+
+"Too-too-too!" again sounded the horns, and while a sentinel remained to
+guard each pile of snowballs and their respective flag-staffs, the rest
+of the army, having loaded themselves with ammunition, rushed bravely to
+the attack.  Then began a regular snow-storm.  The besiegers and
+besieged pelted away with tremendous energy, till the former were
+covered with snow from head to foot, while the latter could scarcely
+show their faces above the walls.  Under cover of this heavy fire, or
+rather snow-storm, Ernest attempted to cross the bridge, which had been
+allowed to remain, and to force the door.  He was followed closely by
+Ellis and two other boys: but they were almost overwhelmed with the
+heaps of snow showered down upon them.  Still they battered away with
+their fists and shoulders, as they were unprovided with other weapons;
+but the door would not yield.  In fact, it had been completely blocked
+up from within, so that no force could have opened it.  Meantime,
+Buttar, by Frank's directions, was shelling the castle from a distance;
+but as this produced no effect, and only supplied the besieged with
+ammunition, he was ordered to draw near to assist in a general escalade.
+Frank's plan of dividing his forces had prevented the besieged from
+making a sortie.  He now ordered a general escalade.  Scaling ladders
+were not to be used, but the backs of the combatants were to serve for
+the purpose.  No sooner was the order given than, rushing up together,
+with masses of snow they filled up the ditch; and then one sprang on the
+back of the other, and others mounted above them; then Ernest, seeing a
+good ladder formed, climbed up it to the top, though he was nearly
+knocked over by the shower of snowballs which assailed him; the top of
+the castle, also, was so slippery that he had the greatest difficulty in
+getting hold of it, and his position was anything but pleasant.
+Meantime, Tom Bouldon, one of the besieged, who was burning to
+distinguish himself, seeing all the rest of the party engaged, telling
+Lemon that he had a dodge, and to look out for him, slipped over the
+parapet amid a shower of snow, so that he was unseen, and then, climbing
+up the side of the ditch, scampered off to get hold of one of the
+standards of the enemy, the sentinel left to guard it having deserted
+his post that he might join in the attack.  He seized it, and was
+hurrying back, scarcely restraining a shout of triumph, when Ernest saw
+him.
+
+"Tom, you traitor, let go that!" he sung out; but as he was mounted on
+the backs of four other boys, and fighting away at the top of the wall,
+he could not enforce his commands.
+
+Tom, hearing him, scuttled away to the other side, where Buttar was
+endeavouring to effect a breach.  Two boys made chase after him, but he
+got up to the wall before them, and throwing the flag into it, he sprang
+up on the backs of some of the besiegers, who did not find out in time
+that he did not belong to their party; and Lemon being on the watch for
+him, lent him a helping hand, and got him safe into the castle.  Then he
+seized the flag he had brought so gallantly off, and went round the
+castle walls, waving it in the faces of the besiegers, and crowing as
+lustily as any young cock.  Frank, when he discovered what had been
+done, felt like a general who has unwarily allowed his camp to be
+attacked; and now, seeing that the other two standards were unprotected,
+sent back a guard to each.
+
+It may appear strange that Bouldon should have so easily got into the
+castle; but in his case he had a friend to help him, while in the case
+of the besiegers everybody was opposed to them.  So strong was the
+castle, and so manfully was it defended, that it appeared as if it would
+effectually hold out to the end of the day.
+
+Time after time Frank returned to the assault, and as often he and his
+troops were tumbled over into the ditch.  This, also, was Ernest's fate;
+indeed he at last gave up all hopes of taking the castle in the way
+proposed.  Telling the rest of his followers to continue pelting away
+with all their might, he called Ellis to his councils.  Ellis at once
+advised an attempt to undermine the walls.  He had run his head into a
+soft place, and he thought he might get through.  The idea was a bright
+one.  Ernest immediately went round and got some men from Frank and
+Buttar, to assist by the warmth of their snowballing to cover their
+proceedings, and then he and Ellis set to work to bore their way
+through.  The other two commanders were all the time to keep up a series
+of incessant assaults, which might fully occupy the attention of the
+enemy.  No one within the walls suspected what was taking place.  They
+went on firing away with their snowballs as furiously as ever.  No one
+seemed wearied.  There was something very inspiriting in the work.  It
+was far pleasanter than real fighting, because all the combatants might
+hope to live to fight again, for whichever side fortune might declare
+itself.
+
+Lemon seemed to think, at last, that things were growing rather tame, so
+he seized his horn and began "too-tooing" away with all his might.  It
+was answered more loudly than before by the horns of the besiegers,
+followed by a hotter shower of snowballs than ever sent by them into the
+castle.  While Lemon and his followers were busily engaged replying to
+it, they found their legs seized by Ernest and Ellis, and several other
+boys, while Frank, mounting on the backs of some of his troops, leaped
+over the parapet on the opposite side.  Lemon was so astonished that he
+knew not what order to issue.  Buttar--a messenger being sent to summon
+him--came round with some followers to the same side, and forced his way
+with them through the hole.  An attempt was made to throw the daring
+besiegers over the walls; but they kicked and shoved against them so
+furiously that a large breach was effected, up which the rest of the
+assailants poured; while Ernest and Ellis, overcoming all opposition,
+forced their way up to the standard, and seizing the flag-staff, hauled
+it down at the moment that one side of the castle fell with a tremendous
+crash, leaving it utterly defenceless.  Lemon's horn sent forth a long
+wail of despair, while the other horns sounded notes of triumph, and the
+castle was declared to be truly and gloriously won.
+
+"It is not your first military triumph, and I hope will not be your
+last," said Ellis to Ernest, as they were marching homeward.
+
+"Nor yours either, and I hope will not be your last.  If I go into the
+army, my great delight will be to find that you are going also."
+
+When the boys reached the house, all the visitors from the neighbourhood
+found that they were expected to dine and spend the evening.  The
+combatants did ample justice to the fare set before them, and it was
+announced that a conjuror would make his appearance in the evening, to
+astonish them with his wonderful performances.  Ernest and Bouldon
+disappeared directly after dinner.  Ernest said he had to go and make
+preparations for the conjuror, and Tom, putting his hand to his heart,
+said that he felt it his duty to go and help him.  When the boys came up
+from dinner they found one end of the large drawing-room, in which there
+was a deep recess, fitted up as a theatre, and in the centre a table, at
+which sat a man with a huge pair of spectacles, a long white beard and
+moustache, a high conical cap, covered over with all sorts of strange
+hieroglyphics, and many other curious devices.  Round his head was a
+turban.  He wore a tight green waistcoat, a red silk flowing robe over
+it, while a handsome sash bound his waist, in which was stuck an
+ink-horn, a wand, a huge knife or dagger, a pistol, and several other
+articles.  Altogether, he was a somewhat formidable-looking character.
+By his side appeared, when the curtain drew up, a curious-looking clown,
+with a huge face, with all sorts of twists and curls in it, great big
+ears, a cock-up nose, and a short stumpy beard.  This extraordinary
+physiognomy was covered with a high cap, which had a tassel and bells.
+He wore also a party-coloured waistcoat, huge full breeches of all the
+colours of the rainbow, hose of yellow, and long shoes with rosettes of
+vast size.  He stood forth a veritable clown or jester of bygone days.
+
+The magician rose.  He seemed to be a very tall man, and contrasted
+strongly with his attendant, who was one of the roundest, shortest, most
+punchy-looking little men ever seen.  A symphony was played on a piano
+behind the curtains, during which the magician waved his wand, and then
+in a deep voice he explained that he was about to perform a series of
+wonderful and unaccountable tricks, which no one had ever equalled, or
+was ever likely to equal while the world lasted; on which the clown
+clapped his hands and nodded his head in approval, exclaiming, in the
+oddest squeaking voice imaginable, "Certainly, certainly; my master
+speaks the truth; who can doubt him?  If anybody does doubt him, let him
+take care of me."
+
+The conjuror hemmed, and, waving his wand, took up a pile of halfpence.
+"Now, ladies and gentlemen, you see these halfpence, and you see this
+cap.  The cap I will place on the table, and taking the halfpence in my
+left hand, as you see, I will pass them from under the table into the
+cap.  Heigh, presto, fly!"  Sure enough, he lifted up the cap, and there
+were the halfpence.  "Now I will pass them back again into my hand--
+listen."  One after the other they were heard dropping into his hand,
+and when the cap was lifted they were gone.  Then he put a die on the
+table, and covering it with his cap, sent the halfpence back to take its
+place.  There they were.  He covered them up; they had disappeared, and
+the die took their place.
+
+He next produced a round tea-caddy.  He asked a lady for a cambric
+handkerchief.  Several were tendered.  He took one, and put it into the
+caddy.  Drawing out one end, while examining it by a candle to observe
+its texture, it caught fire.  It had burnt a good deal before he could
+find the cover to put it out.  No sooner had he done so than,
+pronouncing a few magic words, he opened the canister, and presented the
+handkerchief uninjured.  Loud applause followed.  "Now, ladies and
+gentlemen," he said, holding up a large silk pocket-handkerchief,
+"examine this handkerchief.  It has no double lining.  It is a plain
+simple handkerchief.  Watch me narrowly.  I throw it over the table.  I
+hold it up.  See what comes forth."  A whole stream of filberts fell
+from the handkerchief.  "Here, Placolett, take them to the company,"
+said the magician, and the round-faced dwarf, with many odd twists and
+bounds, handed them round.  Again the magician spread the handkerchief,
+and this time produced a still larger quantity of sugar-plums,
+sufficient, it seemed, to fill a hat.  They also were handed round.
+Once more the handkerchief was spread, and produced a number of bouquets
+of beautiful flowers, some real and some artificial.  These in like
+manner were distributed among the young ladies present.
+
+"Will any lady lend me a plain gold ring?" asked the magician.  One was
+handed to him by Placolett.  He held it up between his finger and thumb.
+"Presto, fly!" he exclaimed, and threw it into the centre of the room.
+Everybody tried to catch it, but could not.  It had vanished.  Placolett
+hunted about, and at last found it under a cushion at the furthest
+corner of the room.  Again he handed it to his master, who invited a
+little girl to take it; but before it reached her fingers it had
+disappeared, and Placolett, as before, hunting about, found it in
+the heel of a boy's shoe.  Now Placolett collected a dozen
+pocket-handkerchiefs from the company, and the magician tied them up in
+a handkerchief, which he placed on the table.  He ordered Placolett to
+bring him a basin and a jug, meaning, of course, that the jug should
+contain water, but there was none, so he sent Placolett again to fetch
+it, and ordered him to bring some soap.  Meantime he threw some black
+balls up to the ceiling, which never came down again; and then he
+swallowed a mustard-pot, a salt-cellar, and a pepper-box; and then he
+took three cups and three balls, and made the balls pass under the cups,
+so that each cup had a ball under it, and then he brought them all
+together under one cup merely by waving his wand over them; and finally
+some twenty cups in succession appeared out of one of them.  At last
+Placolett came back, bringing some water, but it was cold instead of
+hot, and there was no soap, and then an iron was wanted.  Before he went
+for them, his master made him borrow two hats.  One the magician placed
+above the other on the table.  Then he took one of his magic cups, and
+showing that there was nothing in it, turned it upside down.  He lifted
+it, and, lo and behold, there was a walnut inside!  This he put into the
+hat, and as often as he lifted the cup there was a walnut, which, like
+the first, he transferred to the hat.  At last Placolett came back.
+"Now," observed the magician, "the hat is half-full of walnuts.  Heigh,
+presto! pass through the upper into the lower hat," he cried, and
+lifting the upper hat, that was found to be empty, while the lower one
+was half-full of indubitable walnuts, for the guests cracked several
+which were handed to them by Placolett.
+
+"Now, ladies and gentlemen, you gave me some handkerchiefs," observed
+the magician.  "I shall have much pleasure in washing them for you."
+Saying this, he took the bundle on the table, and emptied its contents
+into the basin, and then began washing in a very unartistic, rough way,
+evidently tearing them; and one, before wetting it, he held up to the
+candle, and carelessly set it on fire.  Then he spread a blanket, and
+took them out, and began ironing them; but the iron was too hot, and he
+was evidently singeing them horribly.  "Never mind," he exclaimed, "I
+have a magic ironing machine, which will do the work in a moment."  He
+produced a box, with a handle like a churn, put the wet half-singed
+bundle in, and giving one turn of the handle, produced the handkerchiefs
+all washed, neatly folded and scented, and sent them round by Placolett
+to their owners.
+
+It would be difficult to describe all the clever tricks he performed.
+He put a ring into a handkerchief, and it disappeared.  He passed an awl
+through a piece of wood and Placolett's nose, and then put a piece of
+whipcord through the hole, working it backwards and forwards, to the
+dwarfs evident agony; and then he produced a funnel, which he held at a
+boy's elbow, and by pumping away with the other arm, at last a stream of
+wine flowed out.  Then he put a large die on the table, and covered it
+with a box and then with a hat.  He lifted up the hat and then the box,
+and the die was gone.  He produced it, however, from under the table,
+through which it had evidently gone.
+
+I will not speak of many other minor tricks which he performed with
+cards and other things, which elicited a fair share of applause.  He
+next borrowed a sovereign, and produced an apple, which he sent round to
+the company.  He begged some one to mark the sovereign, which was given
+back to him.  He put it on the table, and covered it with a red cup.
+Then he took a knife, and holding up the apple, cut it in two, when the
+sovereign was found to be in the middle of it.
+
+"Ah, I forgot; I have still a trick or two more," he remarked.  "Here is
+a bottle.  Will any lady like port, or sherry, or claret, or whisky, or
+brandy, or liqueur?"  Some said one thing, some said another, and
+Placolett handing a tray of small glasses, he filled one after the other
+with whatever was asked for.  Once he let the bottle drop, but it was
+not broken, as he was able to prove by handing it round to the company.
+Then, after considering a moment, he showed a large glass bowl full of
+ink.  He took some of the ink out with a ladle, and put it into a plate,
+which he showed to the company.  Then he covered up the bowl with his
+silk handkerchief, and on lifting it the ink had disappeared, and the
+bowl was seen to be full of clear water, with gold and silver fish
+swimming about in it.
+
+"One exhibition more," he remarked; "and, ladies, wind up your nerves
+for a dreadful catastrophe.  Here is a pistol, powder, and bullets.
+Examine them.  Will any one load the pistol?  See that the powder is
+genuine."  It was done.  The magician took the pistol, and put in some
+wadding.  Then Placolett took it back, and some gentleman having marked
+three bullets, put them in one after the other.  More wadding was then
+put in, and rammed down.  "Who will fire?" asked the magician, holding
+up a plate at arm's length.  Scarcely had the smoke cleared away when
+the magician handed the plate with the three marked bullets rolling
+about in it.
+
+Everybody was expressing surprise at the interesting performance they
+had witnessed, and wondering where the magician had come from, when he
+and Placolett, with many bows, retired behind the curtain.  Directly
+afterwards it was opened, and who should appear but Ernest and Tom
+Bouldon, while the magician and his attendant had disappeared.
+
+Even Christmas holidays must have an end.  The guests went back to their
+respective homes, all declaring that they had never enjoyed themselves
+so much as they had on this occasion since they first went to school.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+RETURN TO SCHOOL--A GRAND GAME AT FOOTBALL.
+
+"Here we all are again," exclaimed Tom Bouldon, as he shook Ernest, and
+Buttar, and Ellis, and his other friends by the hand, as they first met
+at school after those memorable Christmas holidays.  Of course they had
+a great deal to talk about; the fun they had had at Oaklands, and what
+they had all done afterwards; then they had to discuss the changes in
+the school; the qualities of the new boys who had arrived, and what had
+become of the old ones who had gone away.
+
+Barber had got back, and was as conceited as ever, and as supercilious
+towards his old school-fellow Ellis, who still seemed always strangely
+cowed in his presence.  In many respects Barber, unhappily, bade fair to
+rival Blackall.  He was not so great a bully, but then he had not the
+power of being so, as he was not so strong, and not so high up in the
+school.  However, he seemed fully inclined to exercise his bullying
+propensities towards poor Ellis, and though he did not strike him, he
+never lost an opportunity of attacking him with the words which wound
+far more than sharp knives.
+
+"This must never be," exclaimed Ernest, one day, when he had
+accidentally heard Barber abusing Ellis, and the latter had walked away
+without retorting or attempting a defence.
+
+"Your friends, my dear Ellis, must for their own sakes, as well as for
+yours, insist on your taking notice of what that fellow says, both of
+you and to you.  We must bring him to an explanation, and clear up the
+mystery.  We are certain, as I have often assured you, that his
+treatment of you is undeserved; and why should he go on insinuating all
+sorts of things against you, and not dare to speak out?"
+
+"Oh, do not push things to extremities," answered Ellis, and the tears
+almost came into his eyes.  "That can do me no good.  Barber does not
+act generously towards me, but I think that he believes that he has the
+right to abuse me; and if he really thought me guilty of the crime of
+which I am accused, he would certainly be right in not associating with
+me."
+
+Ernest was not satisfied with this reply, and Ellis's behaviour
+afterwards was so strange, he thought, towards him, that when he and
+Buttar talked the matter over together, they could not help allowing a
+shade of suspicion to creep over their own minds that all was not right.
+They tried not to let Ellis discover it, but he was too keen-sighted
+and sensitive not at once to perceive that their feelings towards him
+were changed, and that made him, in spite of all they could do, retire
+more than ever away from them and into himself.
+
+The weather continued so cold that the ordinary games could not be
+played with any satisfaction, and none but those requiring a good deal
+of bodily exercise were in vogue.  Lemon, and some of the more actively
+disposed fellows, determined to get up a game of football, though it was
+generally played at our school late in the autumn.  There were plenty of
+boys ready to join in it, but the chief question was to decide who
+should form the sides.  A number of the older boys were thought of, but
+they were not popular, or not active enough, or did not care enough
+about the game.  At last it was decided to offer the command of one side
+to Ernest Bracebridge.  It was a high honour, considering the time he
+had been at school.  He could not, nor did he wish to refuse it.  He
+consulted Buttar, who of course agreed to be on his side, whom they
+should select.  They asked Bouldon, and Gregson, and several others
+among their immediate friends, and then began to pick out others on whom
+they could depend, and who generally played with them.  Neither of them
+mentioned Ellis.  It was the first time they had neglected to ask him to
+join any game that was to be played since he had become what they called
+one of them.  He happened to pass by, and heard them calling out the
+names of those invited to play.  He stopped a moment, looked towards
+Ernest, and then turned away.
+
+"I say, Buttar, do go and try and find him," said Ernest, in a low
+voice, relenting in a moment.  "Ask him--press him to join us."
+
+Buttar gladly set off on the mission; but though he looked in every
+direction, and inquired of everybody he met, Ellis was nowhere to be
+found.
+
+"It cannot be helped; I wish that we had from the first asked him to
+join us," remarked Ernest, when Buttar returned to him with his report.
+
+"Of whom do you speak?" asked Selby, a biggish and very gentlemanly boy.
+
+"Of Ellis," said Buttar.
+
+"Oh, we are much better without him," answered Selby.  "There cannot be
+a doubt that he is not a satisfactory person, and you two fellows lose
+caste a good deal by associating with him.  The idea is that he imposes
+on you; not that you believe he has been guilty of an act of dishonesty,
+and still consent to be intimate with him."
+
+"An act of dishonesty!" exclaimed Ernest, with astonishment.  "I cannot
+believe that."
+
+Buttar repeated almost the same words.
+
+"There can be no doubt about it.  I heard the story this winter from a
+fellow who had been at the same school with him, and whose veracity I
+cannot doubt.  He told me that Ellis was always looked upon as a very
+quiet, rather sawny sort of a fellow, without any harm; that he kept
+much to himself, and had no intimate friends.  He was also always poor,
+and spent no money in the way other boys were in the habit of doing.
+
+"There was another boy at the school who had always a good deal of
+money, sometimes as much as three or four pounds in his purse at a time.
+He was a very good sort of fellow, so he was thought, but rather soft.
+Ellis and he became intimate, and were looked upon as great friends,
+till on one occasion Arden, on going to his desk, found that his purse
+was gone, and, as he declared, with five pounds in it.  A hunt was
+instituted in every direction; the masters were told of the loss, and
+the boys began to suspect each other.  Soon it was whispered about that
+one of the boys was the thief.  It was very extraordinary that just at
+this time Ellis appeared to have a good deal of money in his possession.
+He spent more than he had ever before done.  Certainly, in two or more
+instances it was by giving it in charity.  He bought also a microscope
+and some books, which another boy said that he had heard him remark he
+wished to have, but had not the money to buy them.  These of themselves
+were suspicious circumstances; and many said that they thought Ellis
+must have taken the money.  Some days afterwards suspicion grew into
+certainty when, on the master ordering all the boys to get up from their
+seats, that the school desks might be examined, a purse was found in
+Ellis's, which on being held up was claimed by Arden as that which had
+held his money.  Ellis appeared to be struck dumb when he heard this.
+He stammered out that he had that very morning picked up the purse in
+the road near a hedge, and that he had intended going round to discover
+whether it belonged to any of the boys at the school.  As it was empty,
+he knew that it would not be of much consequence, and that he had
+forgotten to make the inquiries he proposed.  Of course everybody
+believed this to be a very lame defence; but the master inquired into
+the matter, and to the surprise of the boys said that he was satisfied,
+and that Ellis had fully accounted to him for the way he had become
+possessed of the money and the purse.  The boys seemed to think that the
+master was more easily satisfied than he ought to have been, because he
+did not want to lose a pupil; at all events, Ellis was looked upon as a
+thief, and sent to Coventry.  This treatment affected his health, and he
+was soon afterwards removed by his friends from the school.  That is all
+I know about the matter."
+
+"I am glad we did not ask him to play football," exclaimed Buttar.  "The
+story is a very ugly one.  I do not like the look of things."
+
+Ernest gave a look of reproach at Buttar.  "I am far from convinced that
+poor Ellis was guilty of the theft imputed to him," he remarked;
+"knowing him as I do, and as you ought to know him, Buttar, he acted on
+the occasion just as I should have expected him to do.  However, while
+such stories are going about, it is certainly better for his sake and
+ours that he should not play in any of our games."
+
+"Certainly," said Selby.  "If he cannot offer us a proper explanation, I
+for one should object to play with him.  But never mind him at present.
+It is high time that we should get ready for our game.  Have you
+prepared the football, Bracebridge?  It was your business to do so, or
+to get it done."
+
+"Oh, I can do it very well myself," said Ernest, "I have two first-rate
+new ones hanging up in the play-room; they only want refilling.  Come
+with me, and we will douse them in the pond."  Two large footballs, but
+very flaccid-looking, were brought out, and by tying a stone and a line
+to them they were both very soon thoroughly soaked.  He then took them
+out, and brought them into the house.  First he took one, and undoing
+the lacing which confined one side, he drew out a flaccid bladder.
+"This is the sort of football we use here," he said, holding it up to
+Selby.  "It cannot be easily rendered unserviceable by thorn, nail, or
+spike of any sort.  If the bladder is injured, its place can be supplied
+for a few pence, and the leather casing will last for years.  This is my
+blow-pipe," he added, producing a piece of tobacco-pipe.  Undoing the
+mouth of the bladder, round which a piece of string was tightly
+fastened, he inserted his pipe, and very soon filled it with air.
+Before this, however, he had put back the bladder into its case.  Having
+completed the filling of the bladder, he tightly laced up the ball so as
+to completely enclose it.  "You see," he observed, "should this get
+pricked, even while we are playing, I can easily stop up the hole by
+forming a neck, and tying a piece of thin string round it.  Buttar, do
+you take charge of the other ball in case it is wanted.  It is high time
+for us to be on the ground, to see that the goals are properly erected."
+
+Ernest, Buttar, and Selby on this hurried off to the park field where
+the game was to be played.  The Doctor allowed football to be played, on
+the understanding that it would immediately be prohibited should one boy
+intentionally kick another; and two of the masters were required to be
+present to see that the game was carried on properly.  The goals were
+about a hundred and thirty yards apart.  They were formed of two upright
+poles, eight feet from each other, with a cross-bar to secure them at
+the top.  The aim of the players was to pass the ball through their
+opponents' goal, and, of course, to prevent it from being passed through
+their own.
+
+Ernest could not help feeling proud when he found forty boys ranged
+under him, many older and bigger than himself.  He forgot for the time
+all about poor Ellis as he ran with one of the big footballs in his hand
+to the ground where the game was to be played, followed by those who had
+placed themselves under his leadership.  Lemon and his party were there
+before him.  Some of them, it must be owned, rather looked down upon him
+as a young upstart, and expected an easy victory.  Lemon, however, when
+he consented to have him as opponent, knew well that he was one not to
+be despised, and endeavoured to impress upon his followers the necessity
+of playing their best.
+
+"Those youngsters are sharp, active little fellows," he observed.  "You
+must keep your eyes about you, and your legs going, or they will get the
+better of us, depend on that."
+
+Ernest, on his part, addressed the boys on his side, and pointed out to
+them that those with whom they were about to contend were big and
+strong, and practised players, and that they could only hope to beat
+them by activity, watchfulness, and the exercise of their utmost skill.
+
+These principles of action Ernest had learned from his father; they were
+such as his own mind eagerly grasped, which he brought into practice in
+his subsequent career, and which were the main cause of his success.
+
+Lemon and Ernest tossed up for the first kick.  Ernest won.  With the
+ball raised high in his two hands, he walked rapidly into the middle of
+the ground.  The sky was blue, the air keen and cutting; a brilliant
+glow of exuberant health sat on the cheeks of nearly all the players.  A
+few only, who had begun to fancy themselves men, and to smoke and to
+drink, and to imitate other vices of lawless and ignorant youths--no
+longer boys, and yet unworthy of the true manhood they are assuming,--
+looked pale.  There was a strange mixture of heights and sizes assembled
+together; big fellows, like Lemon, Selby, Barber; and little ones, like
+Eden, Dawson, Jones, Tomlinson, and others whose names have not hitherto
+been mentioned.  Ernest, Buttar, Bouldon, and Gregson came between the
+two sets as to size, but not far distant from the older ones as to
+intelligence and the respect in which they were held.  Bouldon would by
+himself have been classed differently, but from associating so much with
+steady first-class boys--first-class as to estimation--by showing that
+he really wished to do right, he gained a good character among his
+superiors.
+
+"All ready!" sung out Ernest; and letting the ball drop, he kicked it
+with all his might in the direction of Lemon's goal.
+
+Now the opposite party rushed in, and sent it flying back over his head
+and the heads of several standing behind him; but Buttar and Gregson had
+fully expected this, and were prepared accordingly to defend their goal.
+They met the ball hopping along in full career, and sent it back so far
+that, before anybody could rush in, Ernest had been able to give it an
+expediting kick, and to send it very close up to his opponent's goal.
+Now there was a general and terrific rush up towards Lemon's goal, and
+his followers found that they had good reason to dread the impetuosity
+and courage of the smaller boys.  Ernest had chiefly selected his side
+from among those who possessed most pluck and endurance.  Fearless of
+kicks, overthrows, or crushes, on they dashed at the ball.  Now and then
+a big fellow like Barber would try and get a kick at it; but immediately
+he was met by a dozen sharp-moving toes, which struck away so
+desperately that he could never get a fair kick.  For a long time the
+ball kept moving backwards and forwards near Lemon's goal, the attention
+of all his side being required to prevent it from being kicked through
+it.  Several times it rose into the air, but was speedily sent back
+again; yet no one on Ernest's side could manage to send it back over the
+heads of their opponents.  Buttar and Tom Bouldon were always in the
+midst of the _melee_.  More than once Bouldon was overthrown, but he
+always picked himself up, and however much damaged, postponed, as he
+said, an inspection of his wounds till the game was over.  Ernest, as in
+duty bound, had to avoid a _melee_, that when the ball came out of it he
+might be in a position to direct the movements of his party.  Gregson
+never got into one intentionally; but when he did, he showed that he was
+as steady and fearless as any one; but his tactics were to keep moving
+about, to be ready to assist his chief, or to take up the ball when it
+approached the goal.  Some called him the sluggish player; but Lemon's
+party found it difficult enough to send the ball through the goal when
+he was to be found anywhere near it.  Dawson and three or four other big
+fellows had got the ball between them, and were pushing it forward
+triumphantly, having completely overwhelmed Ernest and his immediate
+supporters by sheer strength, and were fully expecting to drive it
+without impediment through the goal, when Gregson, who had been standing
+a little on one side, saw them coming.  Only little Eden and some other
+small boys were near, but they, one and all, if not for the honour of
+the game, were ready to risk anything for the sake of Bracebridge.
+Gregson called them.  They all saw what was required of them.  Gregson
+rushed in, fully meeting the ball; with a swinging leg, he gave it a
+lifting kick, and sent it right over the heads of his opponents.  The
+little fellows rushed in behind them, and began to kick on the ball.
+This compelled the big fellows once more to separate, and again to
+retrograde so as to front it.  Gregson, Eden, and their companions threw
+themselves impetuously on it.  One after the other went over it, till
+the ball was hidden under a heap of boys.  Barber, and some others,
+dared not kick, or they would have done so; and while they were lifting
+up their opponents to get once more at the ball, Ernest, Buttar,
+Bouldon, and others came up to the rescue, and once more the ball was
+banded backwards and forwards as furiously as ever.  For long the
+fortune of the day appeared as doubtful as ever.  I have observed that
+big boys never play so well, when opposed to others evidently smaller,
+than themselves, as they do when their antagonists are of the same age
+and strength as they are.  This, perhaps, was one of the secrets of
+Ernest's success in all the matches he played.  He chose his side for
+cleverness, and activity, and daring, and, what was more, they all
+trusted in him, and were ready to do anything he ordered.  Every now and
+then there was a loud shout and a tremendous rush, and finally the ball
+would come out of the _melee_ and, left in the power of a few trusted
+players, could be seen flying backwards and forwards between them, each
+side watching for a favourable opportunity to drive it at once home to
+the goal.  Now, at length, Ernest has got it.  It was sent to the
+extreme right of the players.  This was done by a dodge of Gregson's.
+He was invaluable for any movement of the sort, and staunch as steel.
+Onward Ernest kicks the ball; his side rush in to prevent the approach
+of their opponents, who have mostly been led off to the ground.  A few
+only are fully aware of what is about to occur.  A few rush on
+desperately to stop the progress of the ball; but the young ones are too
+energetic and too quick for them.  They urge it on; the rest stand for
+an instant aside, to let Ernest give a last kick.  It is a grand effort
+of strength and skill, and the ball flies through the goal, amid the
+shouts of all his side, echoed by the applause of the spectators.
+
+Lemon and many of his supporters took their defeat very good-naturedly,
+and with sincerity congratulated Ernest and his side on their success.
+A few of the less amiably disposed were somewhat sulky, especially among
+those of his own size; so was Barber, who was afraid that he should lose
+the influence he wished to obtain from being beaten by the younger boys.
+This was only one of several games.  Ernest was not always successful;
+twice his side were beat thoroughly, but they made up for it afterwards,
+and in the end won more games than the bigger boys, much to the surprise
+of the latter, who could not tell how it had occurred.  Some, like
+Barber, said that there must have been some underhand play, and abused
+Lemon as the cause of their defeat.  Lemon at last heard some of their
+remarks.
+
+"If big fellows will smoke, and booze, and over-eat themselves, how can
+they expect to be as active and wide-awake as little fellows, who have
+not begun such follies?" he remarked quietly.  "It matters little, let
+me assure them, what such fellows say of me."
+
+Both Ernest and Buttar had thought a good deal about the matter of
+Ellis.  After a lengthened consultation, when their hearts relented
+towards him, they resolved to press him once more to join their games;
+but he resolutely refused.
+
+"No," he replied.  "You have believed me guilty, or you would not have
+treated me coldly.  I do not blame you--far from it.  If you heard the
+story about me, as I know it has been repeated, you could not have done
+otherwise, unless you had thought right to believe my word before that
+of others.  Should the time ever come when I can, to your satisfaction,
+prove my innocence, we will then be on the same terms as before."
+
+"Oh, but we do believe you innocent, Ellis," said Ernest.  "Not a shadow
+of doubt remains on my mind that you are so, and I am sure Buttar thinks
+as I do."
+
+"Very well," answered Ellis, with unusual coldness; "I rejoice to hear
+it.  I have taken my resolution.  I cannot bear fluctuations of
+friendship.  If I am ever able to prove my innocence, as I ought to have
+endeavoured to prove it long ago, I trust that we shall stand on the
+same footing that we did before."
+
+Nothing any of his friends could say after this altered the resolution
+Ellis had formed of not playing in any of the games with the other boys,
+or of associating on intimate terms with any of them.  Still he himself
+was far from idle in his play-hours.  He was a constant exerciser on the
+gymnastic poles, and never failed to practise, when he could, both with
+the foils and broadsword.  He also took lessons regularly in dancing and
+drilling, and seemed anxious to perfect himself in all athletic
+exercises.
+
+However coldly others had treated Ellis, there was one person who ever
+turned a deaf ear to the stories told of him, and never for a moment
+altered his conduct towards him.  That was Monsieur Malin.  From the
+time Ellis had begun to learn French of him he had become his firm
+friend.  Some believed that Ellis had confided to him the circumstances
+of his past history; but the less generous could not understand how he
+had managed to secure the regard of the French master, and fancied that
+he had invented some tale to gain his sympathy.
+
+Thus the half-year drew on; the cold weather at last passed away.
+Spring commenced, the flowers bloomed, the leaves came out on the trees,
+the birds began to sing, the fish to dart and leap out of the water.
+Ernest and Buttar were reminded of a visit they promised, long, long
+before, to pay to John Hodge.  They agreed to make it a fishing
+expedition, and to try their luck in the wide stream they had crossed on
+that day memorable for their hare hunt.  They invited Gregson to
+accompany them.  They wished to ask Ellis, but the moment school was
+over he had disappeared, and had not even waited for dinner.  To absent
+himself he must have obtained leave from the Doctor; so they set off
+without him.  They were very merry.  Gregson was excessively amusing,
+with his quaint anecdotes about animal life and the adventures which had
+happened to him.
+
+"I would rather go elephant and lion hunting for a year than become
+prime minister of England," he observed, laughing.  "Nothing could
+compensate me for not being allowed to live in the country,--the largest
+fortune would not, had I to spend it in London; and I should prefer
+Australia or New Zealand, or the wilds of the Cape Colony, or Natal, or
+the backwoods of Canada.  Still I am a Briton, and wherever I might go I
+should like to live under the flag of old England."
+
+Ernest and Buttar echoed the last sentiment.
+
+"But," said Ernest, "for my part I should not wish to live without the
+society of my equals in knowledge and intelligence.  In my opinion, the
+interchange of ideas and information is one of the charms of existence.
+In that way we get, in the most agreeable manner, at the pith and marrow
+of books, at the opinions of other people, and at what is going forward
+in the world: don't you think so, Buttar?"
+
+Buttar, though a clever fellow, had not as yet thought much about the
+matter.  He remarked, however, that if he could get information by
+talking, or rather by hearing others talk, that it would be much
+pleasanter often than having to pore over books.  But that was not what
+Ernest meant.  "Ah, but there must be a fair exchange of ideas and
+information, to make social intercourse as pleasant as it is capable of
+being.  You must give as much as you take."
+
+"Well, I never before thought of that," remarked Gregson.  "I have never
+yet fallen in with people willing to talk of my favourite subjects.
+Perhaps if I was to meet them I should enjoy their conversation as much
+as you suppose you would those of literary characters or other
+well-informed persons."
+
+"Oh, I am not alluding to literary characters, as you call them," said
+Ernest.  "I mean well-informed, intelligent, unprejudiced persons; or,
+what would be still more agreeable, would be to collect people who have
+devoted themselves to different branches of science, and who are yet
+fully capable of understanding each other's peculiar subjects."
+
+So the schoolboys talked on as they walked briskly towards the scene
+they proposed for their sport.
+
+"But do not let us forget Hodge," said Ernest.  "Hereabouts he dwells, I
+believe.  Let us inquire at this cottage."  An old woman came forth from
+the door where they knocked, and told them that John Hodge lived better
+nor a quarter of a mile down the road, and he, poor man, was sure to be
+at home, for he had met with an accident, and, she had heard say, was
+very ill, and had been out of work for many a long day.  They thanked
+her and hurried on.
+
+"Ought we to go and trouble him?" asked Buttar.
+
+"Certainly, he may want assistance," was Ernest's thoughtful reply.
+
+A little child pointed to a neat cottage door.  That was where John
+Hodge lived.  They knocked, and were told to come in.  They started back
+with surprise on seeing Ellis seated on a chair, reading earnestly to
+the man they had come to see, while a woman stood by, with her apron to
+her eyes, and five small children were playing about the humble
+brick-floored room.  How changed was poor Hodge!  Thin and pale in the
+extreme, with an expression of care on his countenance, he sat propped
+up in an old oak chair.  It was evident that he could not move, or
+indeed breathe, without pain.  Ellis was so absorbed in his occupation
+that he did not perceive at first the entrance of his schoolfellows.
+They stopped at the threshold, unwilling to interrupt him.  He was
+reading the Bible, and having read some verses he began to explain their
+meaning.  At last he finished.
+
+"Sit down, young gentlemen, sit down, pray," said Mrs Hodge, offering
+them some three-legged stools, which she wiped mechanically with her
+apron.
+
+Her words made Ellis look up.  The colour came into his cheeks when he
+saw the new-comers.  They nodded kindly to him, and then explained that
+they had come in consequence of an invitation they had received long
+ago, and that they were sorry to find their host in so bad a state.
+John Hodge said that he recollected them, that he was glad to see them,
+but he made no complaint, or spoke even of the cause of his illness.
+After they had sat and talked a short time, Ellis got up to go away;
+Buttar and Gregson accompanied him, but Ernest lingered behind, and
+taking out the contents of his purse, offered it to the dame.
+
+"Thank ye kindly, sir," she replied, motioning him to keep it; "but that
+young gentleman has given us all we want for some time.  He says he gets
+it from his friends; that we are not robbing him; and we couldn't be
+taking it from you or from any one, unless we wanted it very badly.  Ah,
+sir, if ever there was an angel on earth he is one; of that I'm
+certain."
+
+"Well, well, when you do want you mustn't mind taking it from me.  I owe
+your husband some money as it is," answered Ernest, putting out his hand
+to the poor woman, and then to Hodge.  He took up the children, and gave
+a kiss to a little rosy boy, who smiled in his face, and then saying he
+would come back soon, turned after his companions.  He felt much
+gratified at hearing such an account of Ellis.  At once an idea struck
+him.  In the story Selby had told him about Ellis, it appeared that one
+of the causes of suspicion against him was his being possessed of a
+considerable sum of money.  Might not that have been given to him for
+the purpose of being bestowed in charity, as he undoubtedly had lately
+been furnished with funds for the same object?  Ernest, though not over
+precipitate usually, at once jumped at this conclusion.  It was very
+delightful to be able to think so, and the conviction that he had
+wronged Ellis in his thoughts caused him to be doubly anxious to make
+ample amends without delay, and this added considerably to the warmth of
+his manner when he overtook him.  He pressed him, as Buttar and Gregson
+had been doing, to accompany them on their fishing excursion.  At length
+he said that he should like to go, but pleaded want of rod and
+fishing-tackle.
+
+Gregson laughed.  "Oh, I can supply you with all you require," he
+observed.  "My rod you can have, and I can replace it with one to suit
+my purpose in ten minutes.  I have two spare tops, and tackle enough to
+fit out a dozen fishermen.  Come along, you have no excuse."
+
+Ellis agreed, and with light steps the party proceeded towards the broad
+stream they had fixed on.  The day was warm and slightly overcast, and
+the water was not too clear, so that they had a fair prospect of
+success.  They were not disappointed.  Never before had they caught so
+many fish.  They kept pulling them up one after the other.  Many were
+very fine trout.  Ellis had never caught such in his life before.  They
+all agreed that fishing was one of the most delightful of occupations.
+Their hearts as they walked homewards opened more than ever towards each
+other.  Ernest at last spoke out:--
+
+"Ellis, my dear fellow, we have been doing you great wrong,--that is,
+Buttar and I,--I don't think Gregson has.  We were certain that you were
+very sorry, and were quite changed, but we thought you might have been
+guilty of the thing they talked about; now we are certain you were not.
+The money you were known to possess was given you for a good object--to
+bestow in charity.  One proof of your guilt falls to the ground."
+
+"Oh, Bracebridge, I am glad to hear you say so," answered Ellis.  "You
+are right.  I promised not to say from whom I received it, and so I
+could not.  No one accused me to my face.  The Master knew that I was
+innocent.  What could I do?  I now feel sure that all will turn up right
+in the end.  I am so happy."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS--A PIC-NIC AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
+
+An event which made us all very sad took place at the end of that
+half-year.  I remember it as well as if it were yesterday.  It was the
+departure from the school of Monsieur Malin; yet for his sake we ought
+not to have been sorry.  He was going to quit a position which was
+undoubtedly very irksome to a gentleman, and to return to La Belle
+France to take possession of a property which had unexpectedly been left
+him.  He announced the fact to each of the classes as they came up to
+him during the morning, and all heard the information with signs of
+evident sorrow.  Ellis burst into tears.
+
+"Going away, Monsieur Malin; you, my kindest friend, going!" he
+exclaimed, and his whole look and manner showed that he had an
+affectionate and grateful heart.
+
+The feeling was infectious.  A number of the little fellows, who did not
+even learn French, and had very little to do with Monsieur Malin, cried.
+Some, however, had reason to be sorry at his going away, for often had
+his watchful eye saved them from being bullied by the big boys; they,
+too, felt that they were about to lose a friend and protector.  Why, it
+may well be asked, should the French master have gained so much more
+influence among the boys, and be so much more generally liked than any
+of the English masters?  It was simply because he exhibited so much more
+sympathy for others.  He made himself one of them.  It was not that he
+now and then played a grand game of cricket with them, but that he
+entered into all their minor sports and amusements.  He could show them
+how to make models of all sorts; he manufactured carriages with
+cardboard, or cut out boats, or carved animals in wood, or made little
+grottoes with shells; indeed it is impossible to describe all the
+ingenious things he could do, and how kindly and patiently he taught the
+boys how to do them.  It made some of the English masters quite jealous
+when they observed the sorrow which Monsieur Malin's departure caused
+among the boys.  The Doctor remarked upon it, and said that it was the
+best compliment any master could desire to have paid him, and he trusted
+that whoever succeeded him might as richly deserve it.
+
+"Bracebridge, I wonder that you are not more sorry than you appear to be
+at Monsieur Malin's going," observed Buttar, the day that the event was
+announced; "I thought that you were always one of his greatest
+favourites."
+
+"I believe that there are no fellows like him better than I do,"
+answered Ernest; "I am very, very sorry, for my own sake, that he is
+going; but really, when we come to consider that he is going away from
+the bother, and trouble, and noise of a school, to go and live on a
+beautiful property of his own, in a delightful climate like that of
+France, I cannot but be truly glad to hear of his good fortune.  He has
+been telling me all about the place, and how happy his mother and sister
+will be to go and live with him; and he has invited me, during some
+holidays, or when I leave school, to go and pay him a visit; and when I
+told him that I was afraid he would forget me, he assured me that he
+would not.  Really he is a kind-hearted, good-natured fellow, and I do
+feel excessively happy at his good fortune."
+
+Buttar agreed that Ernest saw the matter in its true light, and so did
+Ellis, and then they bethought them how they could show him their
+regard.  Unfortunately, as it was the end of the half, none of them had
+any store of pocket-money remaining; so one proposed offering him a
+penknife, and another a pocket-comb, and a third an inkstand; indeed,
+there was no end of the number of small gifts which Monsieur Malin had
+pressed upon him.  He was in a dilemma about the matter.
+
+"You see, my dear young friends, that I do not like to refuse, and I do
+not like to deprive you of these things; yet I am truly grateful to you
+for this mark of your regard.  What I will do is this; I will make a
+list of your names, and of all the things you desire to give me.  You
+shall keep the articles, all of which you can use, but I could not; and
+I will keep the list, and when I look at it, I shall be fully reminded
+of you all, of your generosity, and of your kindly regard towards me."
+
+Monsieur Malin had to go away a week or so before the school broke up.
+Just about that time Ernest wrote home, giving an account of the story
+he had heard about Ellis, of the injustice that he felt that he himself
+had done him, of the strong evidence he had discovered in his favour,
+and consequently of his wish to make him all the amends in his power.
+By return of post he received a letter from his father, enclosing one to
+Ellis, warmly inviting him to spend a portion of his holidays at Oakland
+Ellis could not fail to be gratified, as were his parents, who gave him
+leave to accept the invitation.  Buttar's family were spending the
+summer in the neighbourhood; and curiously enough, Tom Bouldon and
+Gregson had been invited to visit some friends living not far off.  The
+schoolfellows thus found themselves near together during the early part
+of the summer holidays.  No long time passed before they all met.  How
+they did talk of fishing expeditions, of cricket-matches, of boating, of
+pic-nics, of riding, of archery meetings, of bathing, of sports of all
+sorts, in the water and out of the water, on sea and on land!  Ellis
+talked a great deal of yachting also, but they were too far from the sea
+to have any hopes of indulging in the amusement.  He was much more at
+home in a boat than on horseback, for riding was not an accomplishment
+which he had enjoyed any opportunity of practising.  One of the first
+amusements which Mrs Bracebridge had arranged for her young guest, and
+the other friends of her son, was a pic-nic to Barton Forest, a large
+and picturesque wood in the neighbourhood.  There were long open glades,
+and green shady walks, through which the deer alone were in general wont
+to pass, except on such an occasion as that at present in contemplation,
+or when an adventurous couple strayed into its retired precincts.  I
+ought to have spoken of the cordial way in which Ellis was received, not
+only by Mr Bracebridge, but by Mrs Bracebridge and all the family, and
+the wish they exhibited of placing him at his ease, and making him quite
+at home.  He showed how much he valued their kindness by looking far
+more lively and happy than he had done for a long time.  The day of the
+proposed pic-nic broke bright and fair, with every prospect of the
+continuance of fine weather.  Several families joined in it from far and
+near, and all sorts of vehicles were put in requisition: barouches, and
+pony carriages, and gigs, and even carts and waggons.  The merriest, and
+certainly the most noisy party, went in a long spring waggon, and to
+their charge were entrusted several hampers, containing part of the
+provender for the rural feast.  Ellis, Bouldon, Buttar, and others were
+of this party.  Ernest, with his brother Charles, rode, and frequently
+came up alongside to have a talk with their friends.  The boys gave way
+heartily to the excitement of the scene; they laughed they sang, they
+shouted to their heart's content--no one hindering them.  Never,
+perhaps, have a merrier party ever collected in a waggon.  Tom Bouldon,
+and one or two others, only regretted that they had not pea-shooters
+with them, as he said, to pepper the passengers in their progress, but
+Ellis cried out against this.
+
+"No, no!" he exclaimed; "it may, or may not, be all very well on a high
+road, where people expect such things when they see a parcel of
+schoolboys together, and if they don't like it, will not stand on
+ceremony about heaving stones in return; but in a country district they
+take us for young gentlemen, and would never dream of throwing anything
+at us in return.  The cottagers would only wonder what had come over
+us--perhaps would think us gone mad; at all events it would be very
+cowardly to attack them."
+
+Buttar agreed with Ellis, and they soon won over the rest to their view
+of the case.  They, however, found plenty to amuse them as they drove
+along.  The early days of the holidays are generally very jolly days--
+all the fun is to come; the amusements in store are almost uncountable;
+and though they may have been disappointed during a former summer, they
+are sure, so they think, not to be this.  If they are, they will make
+amends for it next year.  At last the pic-nickers reached the ground.
+Carriages drove up, and ladies and gentlemen, the fathers and mothers,
+and elder brothers and sisters of the schoolboys.  Some ladies and
+gentlemen came on horseback and ponyback, and several even, besides the
+boys, in waggons, while the provisions and servants arrived in
+spring-carts and dog-carts, and altogether there was a very vast
+assemblage.  It was arranged that, having walked about a little, and
+seen some of the views which the wood afforded, and some old ruins
+within its borders, the party should dine, and then that various sports
+should take place, pony races, archery, quoits, nine-pins, skittles,
+throw-sticks or batons, single-stick; indeed, more than I can well
+remember; while swings were hung up between the trees, and two or three
+long planks had been placed on some felled trees, to serve as see-saws,
+so that all ranks and ages could find amusement.  Never were better
+arrangements made.  People may wander the world around and not find more
+pleasing, heart-enlivening scenery than England affords--scenery more
+rich or full of fertile spots, or which should make its inhabitants
+grateful to Heaven for having placed them in such a land.  There were
+fields already waving with corn, and bright green meadows full of fine
+cattle, some grazing, others standing under trees chewing the cud, or in
+shallow bends of the river, or in reedy ponds; there were sheep
+scattered thickly over sunny hills, and still further off downs; and
+there were copses of hazel, and alder, and willow, and woods of beech,
+and oak, and birch, and tall elms dividing fields and orchards
+innumerable, among which peeped many a white-washed cottage; and here
+and there were pretty hamlets, with their village green or common; there
+was a bright sparkling stream, swelling as it advanced into the
+dimensions of a river, and high hills, and valleys, and glens branching
+off in all directions.
+
+"A fair and truly attractive scene," said Ellis, turning to Ernest, who
+cordially agreed with him as they gazed at it together.
+
+A gentleman who stood by turned round and watched the countenance of the
+speaker.  "That is not a common boy, I am certain," he observed to a
+friend.  "He is capable of doing much in the world, and I suspect will
+do it."
+
+Ellis could not help hearing the last remark, and it gave him great
+encouragement.
+
+Now came the time to prepare for the rural banquet.  It was great fun
+unpacking the hampers, and carrying their contents to the tablecloths
+which had been spread on the grass.  What number of chicken-pies, and
+veal-pies, and rounds of beef, and hams and tongues, and cold chickens
+and veal, and fruit-tarts and pies, and cakes of all shapes and sorts,
+and what heaps of fruit, strawberries and gooseberries, and currants and
+raspberries! indeed there was no lack of anything; and what was most
+wonderful, nothing was forgotten, and there was a fair proportion of
+each joint or dish.  I have been at a pic-nic where, from want of a
+preconcerted plan, everybody brought veal-pies, or chicken-pies, or
+hams, and there was no bread, or salt, or mustard.  Somebody had a
+French horn or cornopean, and at its sound people came trotting pretty
+quickly in from all directions through the woodland glades and up the
+avenues leading from the ruins, or bypaths coming from the side of the
+stream.  The long drive and the exercise they had since taken had given
+them good appetites, and none lingered behind.  The boys, especially,
+were in good time, and in the course of a few minutes everybody was
+seated in every possible attitude convenient for carrying food down
+their throats.  Not that anybody sat quiet many minutes together.
+Somebody was always jumping up to help somebody else, or to go in search
+of some tongue for their chicken, or some chicken for their tongue, or
+for a glass of ale or wine, or for a piece of bread, or for some mustard
+or salt; indeed it seemed wonderful how many things were wanted to make
+out a dinner which are procured with so much ease in a dining-room, as
+things of course, that no one ever thinks about them.  In this way the
+first course lasted a long time.  Just at the end of it the servants
+brought some dishes of hot potatoes, which had been cooked gipsy
+fashion, and then several people began again for the sake of eating
+them.  The tarts and fruit-pies were very good, but the juice of some
+had run out, and one or two had been tumbled into, and Tom Bouldon, in
+jumping across the tablecloth, had stepped exactly into the middle of
+one of them, splashing his trousers all over with currant juice, and
+considerably damaging the pie itself.  It was in consequence the last
+consumed, but a facetious gentleman helped it out to the people who sat
+at the further end of the tablecloths, and knew nothing of the
+catastrophe.  Then there was champagne, which some of the boys in their
+innocence called very good gooseberry wine, greatly to the disgust of
+the gentleman who brought it: the truth being, however, that they liked
+gooseberry wine just as much as the finest champagne to be procured.
+Healths were drunk, and toasts were given, and sentiments and speeches
+were made, which, if not very witty, caused a good deal of merriment and
+laughter; and at last the dinner part of the pic-nic came to a
+conclusion.  Then, of course, the servants had to dine, which they did
+at a little distance from the spot their masters had chosen, and seemed
+to enjoy the fun, for they also drank toasts in ale, made speeches, and
+laughed heartily at all their jokes.  The ladies and gentlemen,
+meantime, walked about, or sat down and admired the scenery, and the
+boys got ready for their games.  Targets had already been erected.
+After the grown-up people began to get tired of looking at the views,
+the gentlemen marked off the distance, and the ladies taking their bows,
+shooting began.  Ernest, Buttar, and some of the bigger boys joined
+them, but they soon voted it very slow work, and Bouldon proposed taking
+a roving expedition.
+
+"We have not much time, so let us be off at once," said Ernest.  "Nine
+shall be the game.  Are you all provided with blunt-headed arrows?  That
+is right.  Twelve a-piece we should have.  Let us take half-an-hour's
+turn round the wood, and then be back for the races.  By that time the
+servants will have the dinner things cleared away and the ponies saddled
+for racing."
+
+Away went the party whom Ernest had enlisted right merrily.  First they
+fixed on an old oak-tree for their butt, and at a word given by Buttar,
+who was chosen leader, every one shot from the spot where they were
+standing.  Some shafts hit the tree, others just glanced off, and others
+flew altogether wide of it.  Buttar had his note-book out, and the
+distance each shaft had fallen from the tree was measured by the length
+of the bows, every boy measuring with his own, and noted in the book.
+They again ran on.  "Halt!" said Buttar.  "That elm, the third from the
+gate, shall be our target.  Shoot!"  Every one shot his best, but Ernest
+and Buttar only hit; Bouldon's arrow glanced off; no one else struck the
+tree.  The distances being measured and noted, on again they went.  A
+white post at a considerable distance was next fixed on as the mark.
+Ellis hit it, Ernest went near, and the shafts of the rest of the party
+flew wide or short of it.
+
+"Ah, I calculated the range," observed Ellis.  "I shot my arrow with a
+considerable curve, for I saw that the mark was further than my bow
+could send it at point-blank range."
+
+"Why, Ellis, you will make a good artillery officer," said Buttar,
+laughing.  "Whenever we shoot with sides, I shall know who to choose.  I
+had no idea you were a scientific archer."
+
+"I very seldom have shot before, but directly I got a bow I began to
+study the subject, and to learn all that has been said about it,"
+answered Ellis.  "I always read what I can about it when I begin
+anything which is new to me."
+
+The half-hour spent in roving passed very quickly away.  Those who had
+never shot before in that way agreed that it was far more amusing than
+shooting at a target, and that they found they learned to measure
+distances much better in the former than in the latter way.  When they
+got back they found a variety of other sports going on.  Some of their
+friends were playing quoits.  It is a capital game for exercising the
+arms.  Two iron pins or hobs were stuck in the ground, about eighteen
+yards apart.  Quoits, as everybody ought to know, were derived from the
+ancient game of discus.  They are circular plates of iron, with a hole
+in the centre, one side being flat and the other rounded.  The game is
+played often with sides.  The aim of each player is to pitch his quoit
+on the hob, or, if he cannot do that, as near it as possible, the
+parties throwing from one hob to another.  Charles Bracebridge and Lemon
+were playing on opposite sides when the archers came up.  First Charles
+threw.  One quoit was close to the hob, and the other quoits he sent
+were within a few inches of it, and of each other.  Then Lemon threw.
+His first quoit was just outside Charles', but nearer than any of his
+other quoits, but his other quoits fell outside the rest.  Thus both
+only counted one.  Had a second quoit of Lemon's fallen close to
+Charles' first, Lemon would have counted two, though his other quoits
+might have fallen to a greater distance.  The nearest, it will be
+understood, count and cut out all outside them.  The servants were
+amusing themselves during the interval with skittles and nine-pins, so
+that everybody of the party, high and low, old and young, were engaged;
+and in that I consider consists the chief zest of a pic-nic of the sort.
+Sometimes a pic-nic may take place at a spot of peculiar interest,
+where the party may find abundant matter of amusement without games of
+any sort; or in other instances people merely meet in a pretty spot, to
+dine in a pleasant unrestrained way in the open air, and generally
+manage to become better and more quickly acquainted than they can at a
+formal dinner-party.  The boys, however, were most interested in the
+proposed pony races, and a general cry of "The race!--the race!--the
+race!" rose among them.  It was echoed by others, both ladies and
+gentlemen, and all the ponies, and horses, and, we may say, four-legged
+animals the party could muster, were brought forth.  As the race was
+entirely impromptu, no arrangements had before been made.  It was first
+settled that everything was to run.  The larger riding-horses were to
+have a longer distance to run, and were not to start so soon as the
+others; the carriage-horses came next, then the ponies, then the
+cart-horses, and lastly the donkeys.  One very big, stout gentleman, who
+pleaded that he was not fit to be a jockey, and that his horse would run
+away with a lighter weight on him, undertook to clear the course.  That
+was settled.  Then came the question as to who were to be the riders.
+
+"All the boys, except a few of the little ones," cried a sporting
+gentleman.  "Of course they can all ride.  Come up, youngsters.  Mount--
+mount! let us see what you can do.  You must have your proper colours.
+We can find scarfs and handkerchiefs enough to fasten round your caps."
+
+No one liked to say that he could not ride.  Much less did Ellis, though
+he had only mounted a quiet pony's back a few times in his life: still
+he thought that he could manage to stick on for a short distance, and
+was unwilling to confess how little experience he had had.
+
+"I congratulate you, Ellis," said Ernest, nodding to him when he saw him
+mounted.  "You seem to have got hold of a clever little animal.  He'll
+go, depend on that.  If I had not my own little Mousey to ride, I should
+like to have had that pony.  He belongs to Mr Seagrave, does he?  Oh!
+he always has good animals.  If you do not win, you'll be in one of the
+first, I'm pretty certain of that."  So Ernest ran on.
+
+Buttar came up and congratulated Ellis in the same way, and gave him a
+hint or two how to sit and manage his steed, which he saw that he
+wanted.
+
+"Ah, ah, capital, capital!" exclaimed Tom Bouldon, as he rode up on a
+big carriage-horse.  "Really, Ellis, you are to be envied.  That is just
+the little beast I should like to have had.  How I am ever to make my
+fellow go along I don't know.  You won't change, will you?"
+
+Ellis laughed.  He certainly did not wish to change.  At the same time,
+had it not been for the observations of his friends, he felt that it
+would have been wise not to have ridden the race at all.
+
+Instead of a bell, a horn was used to guide the proceedings.  The horn
+sounded, and the steward of the course requested the spectators to
+arrange themselves on either side of a wide, open glade, at the further
+end of which there was a clump of trees.  Round this clump the racers
+were to go, and to come back to a tree near where the party had dined,
+which was to represent the winning-post.  The next thing was to place
+the racers at their proper distances.  All were at last arranged.
+Ernest, Buttar, and Bouldon, who could ride well, were in high glee, and
+it must be confessed that they thought very little about poor Ellis.
+The gigantic steward of the course having ridden over it, to see that
+all was clear, retired on one side, and taking his horn, blew a loud
+blast; that was for the donkeys to start.  Away they went, kicking up
+their heels, but making good progress.  Two blasts started the
+cart-horses, three the carriage-horses, four the ponies.  They, of
+course, afforded the chief amusement.  Whips and heels were as busy in
+urging them on as if the safety of a kingdom depended on their success.
+The riding-horses came last.  The owners had entered them more for the
+sake of increasing their numbers than for any wish to beat the rest,
+which they believed they could easily do.  Away, away they all went; if
+not as fleet as the racers at the Derby, affording far more amusement,
+and as much excitement, in a much more innocent way.  The pony on which
+Ellis was mounted did not belie the good opinion Ernest and the rest had
+formed of him.  As soon as the horn, the signal of the ponies to start,
+was sounded, off he set, and very soon distanced all, except Ernest's
+and Buttar's steeds, which kept up close behind him.
+
+"Bravo," shouted Ernest, delighted at his friend's success.  "Keep him
+up to it, and you'll win the prize.  I knew you'd ride well when you
+tried."
+
+Ernest was, however, not quite right in his conjectures.  Ellis stuck on
+very well, but as to guiding the pony, he had no notion of it.  As long,
+however, as the donkeys, and cart and carriage-horses, were before them,
+he went very well, but they were caught up before they reached the clump
+of trees round which they were to turn.  They reached the clump, but
+Ellis, to his friend's dismay, shot past it.  The pony's home lay in
+that direction, and seeing a long green glade right before him, he got
+his bit between his teeth, and away he went, scampering off as hard as
+he could lay his feet to the soft springy grass.  Ellis held on with all
+his might.  He in vain tried to turn the pony's head.  He felt that he
+was run away with, and had lost all control over the animal.
+
+Ernest saw the pony bolt.  At first he was inclined to laugh.  Then he
+recollected with dismay that there was a very steep hill just outside
+the wood, and a little beyond it a deep chalk-pit, with precipitous
+sides, down which he feared that the pony, if it became alarmed by
+anything, might in its excitement plunge.  How to stop Ellis was the
+question!  To follow him he knew would only increase the speed of the
+pony.  There was, he remembered, a short cut to the precipice through a
+green narrow path to the right.  Without a moment's hesitation he
+galloped down it.  Buttar, divining his object, followed.  The rest, not
+seeing where they had gone, fancied that they had turned the clump, and
+continued the race.
+
+Mousey, Ernest's pony, behaved magnificently.  On he galloped, as if he
+knew that a matter of importance depended on his speed.  Some boys
+running out of the wood fancied that he was running away, and, clapping
+their hands, tried to turn him aside, but he heeded them not.  The wood
+was at length cleared.  Ernest looked up the road to his left, in the
+hopes of seeing Ellis coming along it, but he was afraid that he had
+already passed.  On the ground were the marks of hoofs, which looked, he
+thought, very like those made by a pony at full speed; so he and Buttar
+galloped along the road they thought he must have taken.  Down the steep
+hill they went at full speed, keeping a tight rein, however, on the
+mouths of their little steeds.  They thought they made out poor Ellis in
+the distance.
+
+"He sticks on bravely, at all events," cried Ernest.  "He's a fellow to
+be proud of as a friend.  Oh! he must not come to harm."
+
+Away they went.  They thought that they were too far off to frighten
+Ellis's pony, and as Ernest knew the country well, he hoped that they
+might still overtake him by cutting across some fields.  The gate
+leading into them was shut, so they knew that Ellis had not gone that
+way.  A boy was sitting whistling on a stile hard by.  Ernest asked him
+if he had seen a young gentleman on a pony going fast along the road.
+He nodded, made a sign that he was going very fast indeed, but showed
+that it had never entered his head to try to stop the pony.  Ernest
+forced open the gate without waiting for the lout to do so, and they
+galloped through and along over the turf.  There were two or three
+slight hedges, but they forced their way through them.  The road, after
+winding considerably, crossed directly before the path they were taking.
+They heard a horse's hoofs come clattering along the hard road.  They
+were just in time to be too late to meet Ellis.  He passed them a moment
+before they could open the gate.  His cap had fallen off; his hair was
+streaming wildly, and he was holding on by the mane with one hand,
+though he still tugged at the rein with the other.  He saw them.  He did
+not shout or cry for help, but his eye showed that he understood their
+object.  Now was the most dangerous time.  They were approaching the
+chalk-pit.  If they followed too close they might frighten the pony, and
+produce the catastrophe they were anxious to avert.  With great presence
+of mind they pulled suddenly up, and Ernest believed that their so doing
+had the effect of decreasing the speed of the runaway pony.  They then
+trotted slowly on, till they trusted that Ellis had passed the point of
+extreme danger.  Once more they put their ponies to their full speed.
+They almost dreaded to approach the spot, lest what they feared might
+have occurred.  Ernest rode close to the brink of the pit.  To his joy,
+there was no sign of the pony having gone near it, and they thought that
+they saw him in the distance.  On they pushed after him.
+
+Ellis himself, when he found that he was run away with, determined to do
+his best to stick on, hoping that by going up some hill or other the
+pony might be brought up.  He forgot how high the forest was situated,
+and that it was chiefly downhill the pony would have to go.  He did
+stick on, and bravely too, but very frequently he thought it would be in
+vain, and that he must be thrown off.  He felt happier when he saw the
+attempts made by his friends to overtake him, even though they failed to
+accomplish their object.
+
+At last Ernest despaired of catching the runaway, when he saw him at the
+commencement of a long straight road, with no short cut to it, by which
+he could hope to get ahead of Ellis.  Still he and Buttar pursued.
+Ellis went on, how many miles he could not possibly tell; he thought a
+great number.  He was getting very weary; his knees ached; so did his
+shoulders.  The road was picturesque, overhanging with trees.  There
+were houses ahead--a village, he thought.  A boy in a field heard the
+pony coming along the road.  He had on a white pinafore.  As he jumped
+over the gate, it fluttered in the pony's face: that made him start, and
+poor Ellis was thrown with considerable violence against some palings on
+the opposite side of the road.  His foot remained in the stirrup.  On he
+was dragged, when a gentleman, hearing the cry of the little boy with
+the pinafore, came to the gate at the moment the pony was passing, and
+caught his head.  The little country-lad came to assist, and held the
+pony while the gentleman disengaged Ellis's foot, and carried him into
+his cottage, which stood near the road.  Not long after, Ernest and
+Buttar rode by.
+
+"Are you companions of a young gentleman whose pony ran away just now?"
+asked a voice from the shrubbery.
+
+They said yes, and were requested to come in.
+
+"He is not materially injured," said a lady, who had spoken to them as
+they dismounted.  "My husband has gone off, however, for a surgeon, a
+clever man, who lives near, and my son is sitting by him while I came
+out to watch for you.  His great anxiety was that you should not miss
+him.  Now we will go in."
+
+They found Ellis already in bed.  He complained of a great pain in the
+neck, and shoulder, and head, and the lady seemed to fear that he might
+have dislocated his shoulder, and received a concussion of the brain,
+and injured his spine.
+
+Ellis, however, seemed not to be alarmed about himself, and only
+expressed his regret that he was giving so much trouble.
+
+After a little time the surgeon came, and pronounced that no bones were
+either dislocated or broken, though the patient had been terribly
+shaken, and ought not to be moved, but said that he thought that in a
+day or two he would be all to rights.
+
+The gentleman and lady, who said that their names were Arden, begged
+Ernest and Buttar to remain with their friend; but at last it was
+arranged that Buttar should ride back, to announce what had become of
+the other two, and that Ernest should remain to help to look after
+Ellis.
+
+In the evening, when Ellis went to sleep, the rest of the party, with
+the exception of Mr and Mrs Arden's son, who sat watching by his side,
+were in the drawing-room.
+
+"You are not a stranger to us," said Mrs Arden to Ernest.  "We have the
+pleasure of knowing your family; and, if I mistake not, my son and your
+companion are old friends.  My son thought so when he saw him, but was
+afraid to ask, lest he should agitate him.  The meeting is most
+fortunate.  My son, who was at school with him, has long been wishing to
+find him, but he could not discover his address.  He was the means of
+causing a most undeserved suspicion to be cast on your friend's
+character, though he had the satisfaction of knowing that his master
+fully exonerated him.  It must be acknowledged that there were
+suspicious circumstances against Edward Ellis, but my son felt sure that
+he was altogether incapable of the act imputed to him."
+
+Mrs Arden then told Ernest all the circumstances which he had already
+heard from Selby.
+
+"Now comes the part of the story most grievous to my son.  Many months
+afterwards, he discovered the money he had lost in the secret drawer of
+his desk, where he put it that he might carry some silver in his purse.
+The silver he spent, and he has no doubt that he dropped the purse when
+pulling out his knife and some string from his pocket, exactly at the
+place where it was found."
+
+Ernest was overjoyed at hearing this.  "I am certain Edward Ellis would
+consent gladly to be run away with a hundred times, and have his
+collar-bone broken each time, for the sake of hearing this," he
+exclaimed, warmly.
+
+After a time Henry Arden came down, and expressed his sorrow at his
+carelessness, and earnest wish to make all the amends in his power; and
+Ernest told him that the best amends he could make would be to come to
+school, and thoroughly to exculpate Ellis by telling the whole story.
+This he promised to do, and when Mr and Mrs Arden heard an account of
+the school, they declared their intention of sending their son to remain
+there permanently.
+
+I need not describe the heartfelt satisfaction of Ellis, when he got
+better, at meeting his old school-fellow, and hearing from him the
+explanation of the mysterious circumstance which had so long really
+embittered his existence.  Those were truly happy holidays, and he
+looked forward eagerly to the time when he might return to school, and
+lift up his head among his companions without a sense of shame, or the
+slightest slur attached to his name.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+ETON AND ITS AMUSEMENTS.
+
+Edward Ellis felt very differently to what he had ever before done when
+he returned to Grafton Hall.  He was one of the first.  His particular
+friends had not come back, but the other boys, not knowing what had
+happened to him, could not help remarking the change.  He walked with a
+firmer step, he held his head more erect, and seemed altogether a
+changed being; yet he was at the same time the like good-tempered, kind,
+gentle, generous-minded fellow he had always been.  In a few days the
+whole school were collected, and Ernest, and Buttar, and Bouldon and
+others welcomed him with even more than their usual cordiality.  A new
+boy also had arrived,--it was said, indeed, several had come, for the
+school was rapidly increasing; they had been seen and judged of, but
+this one had not made his appearance.  At last it was known that he was
+an old school-fellow of Barber's and Ellis's.  The morning after his
+arrival he entered the school-room, holding by the hand of the Doctor,
+who led him up to his desk.
+
+"Silence, boys," said the Doctor; "I have to introduce to you a new
+pupil of mine, but before he takes his place in the school he has made
+it an especial request that he may endeavour to make amends for a great
+wrong he was unintentionally the cause of inflicting on one who has for
+some time been your school-fellow--Edward Ellis.  He will now speak for
+himself."
+
+On this Henry Arden, in a clear distinct voice, repeated the account I
+have already given of the cause which led to the suspicion that Ellis
+had stolen his purse; blaming himself, at the same time, for his own
+neglect and stupidity.
+
+"Since then I find," he added, "that the money of which he was possessed
+was entrusted to him by a wealthy relative, who had formed the highest
+possible opinion of his integrity and judgment, that he might distribute
+it as he thought fit among objects of charity.  From henceforth I hope
+that you will all think as highly of Edward Ellis as those who know him
+best do.  Three cheers for Edward Ellis!"
+
+Three cheers were given, the Doctor leading, and three hearty cheers
+they were, such as the Doctor delighted to hear his boys give on fit
+occasions.  Ellis tried to get up and speak, but his heart was far too
+full.  After two or three brave attempts he was obliged to sit down.
+
+"Bracebridge," he said, "do you get up and tell them all I feel.  You
+know."  Ernest got up, and made a very fitting speech for his friend,
+which was loudly applauded, and then three cheers were given for Ernest,
+as the "Favourite of the School."  Ernest himself was somewhat taken
+aback at this, but he was very well pleased, and replied in a way which
+gained him yet further applause.  From this time Ellis made still more
+rapid progress than before, and many people thought him not much
+inferior in talent to Ernest Bracebridge.  He got up several steps, one
+after the other, but his success did not make him less humble than he
+had ever been.  Out of doors, he made as great progress in his
+amusements.  Cricket was now in, and in that finest and most interesting
+of English manly games he soon gained considerable proficiency.  He used
+to play, and then only occasionally, with two or three small boys at
+single wicket; now he entered boldly into the game, and played whenever
+he could.  Ernest, who was becoming one of the best players in the
+school, always got him on his side when he could.  Soon after the
+commencement of the half there was to be a game between the six best
+players in Ernest's class and five others from any class except the
+highest, whom they might choose on one side, and five of the second
+class and six others from any other class below them.  No school in
+England could boast of a better cricket-field than did that of Grafton
+Hall.  It was, too, a lovely day when that game was played, and there
+were a good many spectators.  Ernest and Ellis, Buttar, Bouldon, and two
+others of their class, together with several good players from other
+classes, formed their side.  They were all resolved to play their best,
+and to fear nothing.  They had the first innings.
+
+"Now, Ellis," said Ernest, "you remember our first game at rounders.
+You thought you could do nothing with that, but you tried, and did as
+well as anybody.  So you can with cricket.  You have had fair practice,
+you know the principles, and you have no vices to overcome."
+
+"I'll do my best, depend on that," answered Ellis, resolving to exert
+himself to the utmost.  He had thought over and thoroughly studied the
+principles of the game, and as his eye was specially correct, he played
+far better than many who had infinitely more practice.  To make a good
+cricketer, a person must have physical powers for it; he must study the
+principles of the game; why he should stand in certain positions, and
+why his bat should be kept in a particular way; and also he should
+practise it frequently, so as to make his hands and arms thoroughly
+obedient to the will.  Buttar and Bouldon first went in.  They made some
+capital hits.  Bouldon scored twelve by as many runs from four hits in
+succession.
+
+"Bravo, Tom!--bravo, Bouldon!" resounded on all sides.  Bouldon got into
+high spirits; he felt as if the whole success of the game depended on
+him, that he could work wonders.  He made one or two more capital hits,
+but every instant he was growing vainer and more confident.  He began to
+hit wildly; to think more of hitting far than of where he sent the ball,
+or of how he guarded his wicket.  Proper caution and forethought is
+required at cricket as well as in all the other affairs of life.  A ball
+came swiftly and straight for his wicket.  He hit it--off it flew, but
+the watchful eye of one of the other side was on it, and ere it reached
+the ground it was caught.  Tom threw down his bat, and declared that he
+was always out of luck; that having done so well he hoped to have stayed
+in to the end.  Another boy took his place.  He also did good service to
+his side, but at length was bowled out.  Buttar, who always played
+coolly, remained in.  He got several runs, but seldom more than two at a
+time at the utmost.  Ernest now went in.  He had become a first-rate
+cricketer.  He possessed strength, activity, eye, and judgment, all
+essential requisites to make a good player.  Great things were therefore
+expected from him.  He, of course wished to do his best.  He quietly
+took up the bat, weighed it for a moment, and finding that he had a
+proper grasp, threw himself into the position ready for the ball.  His
+first hit was a telling one.  Often had he and Buttar played together,
+and they well knew what each could do.  They ran three without risk.
+They looked at each other, to judge about trying a fourth one, but it
+was too much, they saw, to attempt.  Had they, Ernest would have been
+out.  Hit after hit was made, several, however, without getting runs,
+for the field was exerting itself to the utmost.  If they could put
+these two players out quickly they might win easily; if not, they would
+have a hard struggle to beat them.  Buttar played capitally, but at last
+he was growing weary, and a new bowler was sent in.  The very first ball
+he delivered came curling round, and sprung in between the wicket and
+his bat, and down went his stumps.  A very good player succeeded him,
+who, though he did not get many runs off his own bat, enabled Ernest to
+get them.  He, however, after doing very well, made an imprudent run,
+and he was stumped out.  Still Ernest kept in, and it was Ellis's turn
+to take the bat.  All his former awkwardness of gait was gone.  He stood
+well up to his bat.  His first stroke showed that he was no despicable
+opponent, and he got four runs.  This awakened up the field again, who
+had been expecting soon to get in.  The two played capitally, and made
+their runs rapidly and fearlessly.  They knew that the opposite side
+must play well to score as many as they had done.  It was fine to see
+the two friends hitting away, and crossing each other as they made one
+run after another, almost insuring the success of their side.  However,
+the best of players must be out at one time or the other.  Ernest was
+caught out, and ultimately Ellis was run out by the next player who went
+in.  At last the other side got their innings, and played well; but when
+the game was concluded it was found that Bracebridge's side scored
+thirty more than they had done,--an immense triumph to the lower class.
+
+His success did Ellis a great deal of good, and he now made even more
+rapid progress than before, both in and out of school.  It was the last
+time either he, or Ernest, or Buttar played in that class, for by
+Michaelmas they got another step, and by the Christmas holidays Ernest
+and Ellis got into the first class, distancing Buttar and Bouldon, who
+were only in the second.  This rise was of the very greatest benefit to
+the school.  The two first were now above Barber, and thus were able to
+exercise a considerable influence over him and fellows of his sort.
+They could look down also on Bobby Dawson, and several others who were
+inclined to patronise them when they first came to school.  They also
+received all the support they could desire from Selby and other
+gentlemanly if not clever boys like him, and from warm-hearted
+enthusiastic ones like Arden and Eden.  They completely, in the first
+place, put a stop to anything like systematic bullying.  Of course, they
+could not at all times restrain the tempers of their companions, or
+prevent the strong from oppressing or striking the weak when no one was
+present.  Bullies and tyrants, or would-be bullies and tyrants, are to
+be found everywhere; but when any little fellow complained to them, they
+never failed to punish the bully, and to bring to light any act of
+injustice, making the unjust doer right the wronged one.  They did their
+utmost to put a stop to swearing or to the use of bad language.  They at
+once and with the exertion of their utmost energy put down all indecent
+conversation; and if they found any boy employing it, they held him up
+to the reprobation and contempt of their companions.  Falsehood of every
+description, either black lying or white lying, they exhibited in its
+true colours, as they did all dishonest or mean practices; indeed, they
+did their very utmost to show the faults and the weak points of what is
+too generally looked on as schoolboy morality.  The system of fudging
+tasks, cribbing lessons, deception of every sort they endeavoured to
+overthrow.  Some people might suppose that they undertook far more than
+they could perform, but this was not the case; all they undertook was to
+do their best.  They did it, and succeeded even beyond their own
+expectations.  Of course they at first met with a great deal of
+opposition.  They knew well that they should do that.  Some fellows even
+asked them for their authority in acting as they presumed to do.
+
+"Here is our authority," answered Ellis, the colour coming into his
+cheeks and his eye flashing.  He lifted up a Bible which he held in his
+hand.  "We are ordered to do all the good we can in this world: we are
+doing it by trying to improve the character of the boys in the school.
+We are ordered to exert our power and influence to the utmost to do
+good: all the power and influence we possess we are exerting for that
+purpose.  You see we are doing nothing strange; only our duty."
+
+Some few of the boys sneered at Ellis behind his back for what he had
+said, but they were the meanest and worst boys in the school.  No one
+uttered a word before his face; the greater number applauded him, and
+wished they could follow his example.
+
+It is impossible to describe the various events which took place at
+Grafton Hall during the time Ernest was there.  He gained more and more
+the good opinion of the Doctor, and of all the masters, and at length
+reached, more rapidly than any boy had before done, the head of the
+school.  He gained this distinction by the employment to the best
+advantage of a bright, clear intellect; by steady application to study;
+by an anxious wish to do his duty; by never losing an opportunity of
+gaining information; and more especially, by not fancying himself a
+genius, and that he could get on without hard reading.  Those were very
+happy days at Grafton Hall, both for him and his immediate friends, as
+also for the boys below him.
+
+Another Christmas passed by, and another summer drew on.  It was
+understood that he would leave at the end of another half.  As the boys
+rose to the top of the school at Grafton Hall, they had many privileges
+and advantages which, of course, the younger ones did not possess.  They
+had separate sleeping-rooms, where they might study, and they enjoyed a
+considerable amount of liberty.  One day Bouldon came into Ernest's room
+in high glee.
+
+"Come along, Bracebridge; it's all settled!  You are to go, and so is
+Ellis.  We are to be back in four days; but we will enjoy those four
+days thoroughly."
+
+"I have no doubt that we shall," said Ernest quietly, looking up from
+his desk.  "But where are we to go?--when are we to go?--what are we to
+do?  Tell me all about it; you have not done so yet."
+
+"To be sure I have not!  How stupid of me!" said Bouldon, laughing.  "I
+forgot that you did not know anything about a plan I formed long ago.
+You know that I have a brother at Eton--a jolly good fellow--a year
+older than I am.  There is not a better brother in the United Kingdom
+than my brother Jack.  Well, for the last two years, I should think, he
+has wanted me to go down to see him while he's at school; but as our
+holidays are much about the same time, I've not been able to manage it.
+Lately, he has been writing home about it; and, at last, he has
+persuaded our father to get leave for me to go from the Doctor, and to
+invite two friends.  I fixed on you at once, and it was a toss up
+whether I should ask Buttar or Ellis; and I thought that the trip would
+be more novel and amusing to Ellis than to Buttar.  The Doctor did not
+give in at first; but then he said you were both of you deserving of
+reward, and that if you wished to go you might.  Of course, you'll wish
+to go; you'll enjoy it mightily."
+
+Ernest thought that he should, and so did Ellis, who was quickly
+summoned to the conference; and the Doctor having been prepared to grant
+their request, gave them leave directly they asked it, giving them only
+some sound advice for their guidance during their stay among strangers.
+In high spirits they all set off for London, and were soon carried by
+the Great Western down to Eton.  Tom had told his brother when to expect
+them, and Jack Bouldon was at the Windsor Station ready to receive them.
+He fully answered the description which had been given of him.
+
+"I'm so glad you are come!" he exclaimed.  "We have a fine busy time of
+it--lots to do.  I've luncheon for you in my room.  We are to dine at my
+tutor's, to meet our father, you know, Tom; and after it we'll go and
+see the boating.  I belong to a boat; but I have sprained my arm, and
+mustn't pull, which is a horrid bore.  Come along, though."
+
+It is extraordinary how quickly Ernest and Ellis became acquainted with
+their new friend, and how fine a fellow they could not help thinking
+him, though he was scarcely older than either of them.  They had not
+gone far when Jack stopped in front of Layton's the pastry-cook's.
+
+"Come in here, by the by," he exclaimed, pulling Ernest by the arm.  "I
+ordered some refreshment as I came along; we should not be able to do
+without it, do you see."
+
+The visitors required but little persuasion to enter, and as soon as
+they appeared a supply of ices and strawberry messes were placed before
+them.
+
+"No bad things!" they pronounced them.
+
+"No, indeed!" said Jack, carelessly.  "They slip down the throat
+pleasantly enough.  We don't patronise anything that isn't good at Eton,
+let me assure you."
+
+All present fully concurred in this opinion, the food they were
+discussing being a strong argument in its favour; but at last the
+strawberry messes came to an end, and they continued their walk into
+Eton.  Although the town itself did not exactly excite their admiration,
+they expressed their pleasure when they saw the college buildings, and
+the meadows, and the rapidly-flowing clear river, and the view of
+Windsor Castle, rising proudly above all, a residence worthy of
+England's sovereigns.
+
+"Now," said Jack Bouldon, "come along to my tutor's.  You'll want some
+rest before the fun of the day begins."
+
+His tutor's house was a very comfortable, large one, not far from the
+college gates.  Jack ushered them into his room.  He was not a little
+proud of it.  It was all his own, his castle and sanctum.  It was not
+very richly furnished, but it looked thoroughly comfortable.  There was
+a turn-up bedstead, and washhand-stand, which also shut up, and
+prevented it having too much the appearance of a bedroom.  A
+good-looking, venerable oak bureau served to hold most of the occupant's
+clothes, below which, in the upper part, were his cups and saucers; and
+in the centre his writing materials.  In one corner was a chest,
+containing a quantity of miscellaneous articles too numerous to name;
+and in another was a cricket-bat and fishing-rod, while the walls were
+adorned with some prints of sporting scenes, one or two heroes of the
+stage, and another of the Duke of Wellington; a table, an arm-chair, and
+three common chairs completing the furniture of the apartment.
+
+"You are cozy here, Jack," said his brother, throwing himself into a
+seat, and pulling Ernest into the arm-chair.  "There's nothing like
+independence!"
+
+"As to that, we have enough of it, provided we stick to rules," answered
+the Etonian.  "However, I don't find much difficulty in the matter.  I
+like my tutor, and he is very considerate, so I get on very well."
+
+"But, I say, Jack, what do you do?  How do you amuse yourselves all the
+year round," asked Tom Bouldon.  "You Eton fellows seemed to me, as far
+as I could make out, to do nothing else but play cricket and boat.  All
+other games you vote as low, don't you?"
+
+"Not at all," answered Jack.  "Let me see.  At the beginning of the
+year, between Christmas and Easter, we have fives.  You know how to play
+it.  We have very good fives-courts.  We play fifteen up.  Then we have
+hockey; that's a capital game.  You play it at your school, don't you?
+But, after all, there is nothing like making up a party to go jumping
+across country.  It is rare fun, scrambling through hedges, tearing
+across ploughed fields, leaping wide ditches and brooks, and seeing
+fellows tumbling in head over heels.  Then we have running races in the
+play-fields, of about a hundred yards, which is enough considering the
+pace at which fellows go.  Better fun still are our hurdle races; and a
+fellow must leap well to run in them.  But the greatest fun of all are
+our steeple-chases, of about two and a-half miles, over a stiffish
+country, let me tell you.  There are no end of ditches, streams, and
+brooks with muddy banks, into which half the fellows who run manage to
+tumble, and to come out very like drowned chimney-sweepers.  Those are
+all good amusements for cold weather.  From Easter to the end of July is
+our great time for games.  Of course, cricket and boating are the chief.
+You understand that our playing-fields are divided between different
+clubs.  Every fellow subscribes to one or the other of our clubs.  The
+lowest is called the Sixpenny; that belongs to the lower boys; they are,
+you will understand, all those in the upper school below the fifth form.
+Then there is the Lower Club, to which those in the fifth form belong
+who are not considered to play well enough in the upper club.  Only, of
+course, first-rate players can belong to that.  It is the Grand Club to
+which the eleven belong, and those who play equally well, and will some
+day become one of them.  There is another club called the Aquatics,
+which belongs exclusively to the members of the boats.  Cricketing is
+fine work; but, for my part, I like boating even better.  Here, before a
+fellow is allowed to go on the river, he is obliged to learn to swim.
+It is a very necessary rule, for formerly many fellows lost their lives
+in consequence of being unable to swim.  There are numerous bathing
+places on our river devoted to our especial use, and at each of them is
+stationed, with his punt, a paid waterman belonging to the college,
+whose sole duty it is to teach the boys to swim.  Twice every week
+during the summer one of the masters in turns examines into the swimming
+qualifications of the boys, and he gives a certificate of proficiency to
+those whom he considers can swim well enough to preserve their lives if
+capsized in a boat.  After a boy is qualified he is allowed to boat on
+the river.  The masters generally make him swim thirty-five yards up and
+down the stream, and then about ten across it, round a punt, and back
+again to the point from which he started.  Some fellows very quickly do
+this, if they are strong and not afraid; in fact, if they feel that they
+can do it.  Others never gain any confidence, and if they were capsized
+could do very little to help themselves.  In most cases, the first thing
+a fellow does when he wants to begin to boat is to agree with some chum
+to take a boat between them.  This costs them five pounds for the
+summer-half.  It is called a lock-up, because when it is not being used
+it is supposed to be carefully locked up in the boat-house.  Sometimes
+fellows who do not care so much about boating, and don't want to give
+five pounds, pay a smaller sum, and take any chance boat which may be
+disengaged.  The boats we generally use are called tubs, tunnies, and
+outriggers.  Besides these there are `The Boats' especially so called.
+There are seven of them, all eight-oared.  Anybody can join these who is
+in the fifth form.  There are three upper and four lower boats; that is,
+three belong to the upper and four to the lower fifth form.  Each has
+her captain, who fills up his crew from the candidates who present
+themselves.  The higher boats have, of course, the first choice,
+according to their rank.  Each crew wears a different coloured shirt
+from the others, and have different coloured ribbons on their straw
+hats.  On grand occasions, as to-day, we all appear in full dress, and a
+very natty one I think you will agree that it is."
+
+Ernest and Ellis listened attentively to the description, and could not
+for the moment help wishing that they also were Eton boys.  Luncheon was
+soon over, for the ices and strawberry messes had somewhat damped their
+appetites.  Then they went out into the playing-fields, where a
+cricket-match was going forward.  Jack Bouldon pointed out some of their
+crack players with no little pride.
+
+"There's Jeffcott; he's at my tutor's," he observed.  "The tall fellow
+with the light hair; he's just going in.  Did you see how beautifully
+Strangeways was caught out?  See!  Jeffcott is certain of making a good
+hit.  I knew it!  He'll get two runs at least.  There's Osbaldiston, the
+fellow who is in with him.  It's worth watching him.  He's even a better
+player than Jeffcott, though he is still so young.  There!  I knew it!
+What a grand hit!  Run! run! three times, you'll do it!  Capital!  He's
+at my tutor's.  A first-rate fellow, and expects to be one of the eleven
+next half."
+
+So Jack Bouldon ran on, his companions heartily joining in his
+enthusiasm.  Then they went back to his tutor's, as dinner was to be
+early, to be over in time for the boating in the evening.  They there
+found Mr Bouldon, who expressed himself much pleased at meeting Ernest
+and Ellis, as friends of his son's.  Dinner they thought the slowest
+part of the day's amusements, and were very glad when the time came for
+them to repair to the Brocas.  That is the name given to the field by
+the river whence the boats start.
+
+The Brocas presented a very gay and animated appearance as the crews of
+the boats, and the other boys, and the visitors began to collect from
+all directions.  As Jack Bouldon had said, the costume of the boats'
+crews was very natty.  It consisted of a striped calico shirt of some
+bright colour; white trousers, with a belt round the waist; a coloured
+necktie, to suit the shirt; a straw hat, and a ribbon round it to match,
+the rest of the dress; silk stockings, and pumps with gold buckles.  The
+ribbons round the hats had the name of the boats on them, with some
+appropriate device, and generally a wreath of flowers worked on them.
+Nothing, indeed, could well exceed the neatness and elegance of the
+boating dresses; so Ernest and his friends agreed.
+
+The crews now quickly took their seats in the boats.  They went about
+the business easily, as if they were going to take part in a naval
+review rather than in any serious engagement.  The boats, as they were
+ready, began to leave the Brocas, the lowest boat going first, and
+laying off in the stream till all were ready.  Then a signal was given,
+and away they started, the highest boat leading, and the rest in order
+taking one turn up and down before the Brocas, that the spectators might
+have the opportunity of admiring them.
+
+At about three miles from Eton is a place called Surly.  Here a repast,
+on tables spread in the open air, was prepared for them; and as the
+boats' crews were expected to be not a little thirsty after their long
+pull, some bottles of champagne were provided for each boat.  After the
+boats had been sufficiently admired by the spectators on the Brocas, off
+they started, as fast as the pullers could bend to their oars, with long
+and sweeping strokes towards Surly, accompanied by a boat with a band of
+music playing enlivening strains.
+
+Jack Bouldon, though he could not pull himself, had secured a boat for
+his father and his friend, and a crew to man her; and as soon as the
+boats had gone off, they all jumped into her, that they might follow and
+see the fun.  Each boat had her sitter jealously guarding the
+exhilarating beverage.
+
+They were not long in reaching Surly.  The crews landed, and lost no
+time in seating themselves to enjoy their cold collation, or in
+quenching their thirst in the hissing, popping, sparkling champagne.
+The viands were quickly despatched and thoroughly relished, aided by
+music and champagne, and good appetites; and then toast after toast
+succeeded in rapid succession, all drunk with the greatest
+enthusiasm,--"The Queen," and "Floreat Etona," however, calling forth
+even a still greater amount of applause.  Capacious as champagne bottles
+may be, their contents will come to an end; and this consummation having
+occurred, once more the crews embarked in their boats and commenced
+their homeward voyage, music, fun, and laughter enlivening the way.
+
+It was dusk as they approached Eton, where, in the centre of the river,
+a vessel was moored, whence, as they began to pull round her, burst
+forth a magnificent display of fireworks.  Then the crews of the boats
+stood up, and, waving their hats, cheered vociferously.  Up went the
+rockets, surrounding them, as it were, with a sparkling dome of fire,
+and afterwards, in succession, burst forth Catherine wheels, spiral
+wheels, grand volutes, brilliant yew-trees, and showers of liquid fire,
+and a number of other productions of the pyrotechnic art too numerous to
+describe.
+
+The boats continued pulling slowly round and round the vessel all the
+time of the exhibition, producing a very pretty and enlivening effect.
+
+As Jack Bouldon and his friends walked back to his tutor's, of course he
+enlarged on the excellencies of Eton, and the amusements of the school.
+
+"Oh, I wish that you would come back at the end of the half, and see our
+pulling matches, and swimming and diving matches!  We have several of
+all sorts.  We have a grand race between two sides of college, the upper
+and lower boats.  Then there is a sculling sweepstakes, open to all the
+school.  The prize is a cup and a pair of silver sculls, which the
+winner holds for a year, and on giving them up has his name inscribed on
+them; so that he has the honour of being known ever after as a
+first-rate sculler.  Then there is a rowing sweepstakes for a pair of
+oars, which is also open to all the school; and each of the houses have
+their own private sweepstakes, when they draw lots for pairs.  The
+distance we row is about two and a-half miles.  Now I must tell you
+about the swimming matches which we have at the end of the half.  There
+is one prize for the best swimmer in the school, and another for the
+best swimmer of those who have passed that half.  In the diving matches
+we dive for chalk eggs, and out of fifteen thrown in, I have seen as
+many as twelve brought up.  I have brought up nine myself, and I cannot
+boast of being first-rate.  Another prize is given to the boy who takes
+the best header from a high bank; and those are all the prizes given.
+We have another grand day, called Election Saturday, the arrangements
+for which are very like to-day.  The chief difference is, that the eight
+are chosen out of all the boats, and row by themselves, in their dress
+of Eton-blue shirts, and blue hat-bands and ties, as I have described to
+you."
+
+It was nearly half-past ten when the boys got back to Jack's tutor's,
+and he had to leave them, while they went to the inn with Mr Bouldon,
+who had undertaken to see them off the following morning, on their
+return to Grafton Hall.
+
+They all declared that they never had enjoyed so amusing a day as that
+spent at Eton.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+"Had anybody told me when I came to this school that three years would
+so rapidly pass by, I would not have believed them," said Ernest,
+addressing Ellis, Buttar, and Bouldon, as the four old friends were
+walking up and down the playground, ready to form for proceeding to
+church the last Sunday they were to spend together at Grafton Hall
+before the summer holidays.  "I should have been glad to have remained
+here another half, or even a year, but my father wishes me to read with
+a tutor whose exclusive occupation it is to prepare fellows for India;
+so I am to go to him in a few weeks.  I intend to read hard, for I am
+resolved not to be idle wherever I go."
+
+"Oh, I envy you!" exclaimed Bouldon, "for I know that you will get on;
+and I wish you may, that you may come back again safe and sound to old
+England."
+
+"Oh, I must not think of coming back for years, I fear," answered
+Ernest.  "The less one calculates in that way the better.  I suspect
+that people are too apt to neglect the present when they allow their
+thoughts to dwell too much on the future.  The great thing is, as my
+father says, to do our duty during the present, and to enjoy life as it
+was intended that we should enjoy it, and to allow the future to take
+care of itself.  I do not mean to say that we are to neglect the future,
+but that we are not to fancy always that the future is to bring forth so
+much more happiness than the present time can afford.  You understand
+what I mean, or rather what my father means.  Now, Gregson is an example
+to the point.  See how happy he always is.  He is happy in doing his
+lessons, because he gives his whole mind to them; and though his talents
+are not brilliant, he always does them well.  Then the moment they are
+done, he turns to his favourite pursuits.  Then he is as happy as he can
+desire to be in this life.  He is not idle for a moment; every book he
+opens on natural history gives him pleasure; every walk he takes he
+finds something new and delightful.  The birds of the air, the beasts of
+the field, the creeping things on the earth and under the earth, the
+trees, the flowers, their numberless inhabitants, all are matters of
+intense interest to him.  He cannot look into a horse-pond without
+finding subjects for study for days together.  Every stream is a mine of
+wealth; and as for the ocean the smallest portion affords objects the
+study of which is inexhaustible.  Depend upon it, that it would be worth
+living for the sake of enjoying the study of natural history alone.
+Then see what vast fields of interest does each branch of science
+exhibit.  The more I inquire into these matters, the more convinced I am
+that life ought to be a very delightful state of existence, and that it
+is our own fault if it is not so."
+
+Thus Ernest gave expression to his opinions.  He laid considerable
+stress on mental occupation, but he did not altogether forget that man
+is susceptible of a very considerable amount of physical enjoyment,
+which he is too apt, through his own folly, to lose.  It is not often
+that lads of Ernest's age think as he did, nor is it often that those
+who do have listeners so ready and eager to imbibe his opinions.
+
+The signal was given, the boys fell into order, and marched off to
+church.  It is matter for thought, and solemn thought too, when one
+feels that one is visiting a place of interest for the last time; but
+there should be something peculiarly affecting when one kneels for the
+last time in a place of worship where one has knelt for years, and
+offered up our prayers and petitions, and sung our songs of praise, to
+that great and good Being who is our life, our protector, our support,
+united with many hundreds of our fellow-creatures.  Perhaps with not one
+of them may we ever kneel or pray again, but yet one and all of them we
+shall meet at that great and awful day when we stand before the
+judgment-seat of Heaven.  How shall we all have been employing ourselves
+in the meantime?  What will then be our doom?  How vain, how frivolous
+will earthly ambition, wealth, or honours appear!
+
+Such thoughts as these passed rapidly through Ernest's mind as he sat
+and listened to the good, the kind, and faithful minister of the parish.
+
+Ernest had many last things to do before he left school.  He had to play
+his last game of cricket, to climb the gymnastic pole for the last time,
+to take a walk over his favourite downs, to pay many last visits to rich
+and poor alike.  John Hodge was not forgotten.  The assistance given by
+Ellis, and him, and Buttar helped the poor man along till his strength
+returned, and once more, to his great satisfaction, he was able to
+resume work.  Ernest could not feel altogether sad: that would not have
+been natural; and yet he was truly sorry to part from his friends and
+schoolfellows, and from the old familiar scenes he had known so long.
+He had, however, plenty of work to keep his mind employed.  There were
+examinations to be gone through, speeches to be made, and prizes to be
+bestowed.  The parents of the boys, and the residents in the
+neighbourhood who took an interest in the school, were invited to
+attend.  All the examinations which admitted of it were _viva voce_, and
+took place in the lecture-halls, to which the visitors repaired as they
+felt interested in the subject, or in the boys who were undergoing their
+examinations.  Several people followed Ernest through the whole course
+of his examinations, and were much struck by the clear, ready way in
+which he replied to all the questions put to him, and the evidence he
+gave of having entirely mastered all the subjects he had studied.  All
+those capable of judging were convinced that, numerous as were the
+subjects he had studied, he was in no way crammed, but was thoroughly
+grounded in them all.
+
+After the examinations, the visitors and the boys assembled under a
+large awning, which had been spread for the purpose.  At one end was a
+raised platform, where several of the most influential gentlemen, many
+of them clergymen, and others, as well as the head-master, took their
+seats with the boys of the first class, while the rest were arranged
+below.  First an oration was spoken by several boys, candidates for a
+prize, to be bestowed on the best orator.  Ernest, Buttar, Ellis, and
+several others tried for it.  All spoke well, but Ernest was found to
+have double as many votes as any other boy.  Then the gentleman who had
+been placed in the chair got up, and expressed his approbation of the
+system on which the school was managed, and his satisfaction at finding
+the very great progress it had made; and he concluded--"I consider those
+boys truly fortunate who are under such a master, and in so delightful
+an abode."  Then the names of the boys who had gained prizes were called
+over, and one after the other, with looks of satisfaction, ascended the
+platform to receive them.  Ernest came down literally loaded with
+prizes.  He looked surprised as well as pleased.  He was first in
+everything.  The reason that he was so was simple enough.  He had
+bestowed the same attention and energy on all the subjects he had
+studied; he had given them his entire mind; all his talents had been
+employed on them; consequently, he could scarcely fail to obtain a
+similar success in all.
+
+The prizes consisted chiefly of books, mathematical instruments, and
+drawing materials.  After they were distributed, the chairman once more
+rose, and congratulating Ernest on his success, complimented the Doctor
+on having educated so promising a pupil and on the admirable discipline
+of the school itself.
+
+The visitors and boys repaired to the large dining-hall, where a
+handsome dinner was spread.
+
+"Why, Doctor, you have given us a magnificent feast," exclaimed Mr
+Bouldon, who had come to see his son.  "I suspect you youngsters don't
+get such a dinner as this every day."
+
+"But indeed we do," shouted out Tom Bouldon.  "Ask the Doctor; he'll not
+tell you an untruth."
+
+"Your son states what is the case," replied the Doctor, "except,
+perhaps, with regard to quantity--we have certainly the same quality of
+food every day, and served in the same way.  My object is to make my
+boys gentlemen in all the minor as well as in all the more important
+points of breeding.  I believe that it is important for this object to
+give them from the first gentlemanly habits which can never be
+eradicated.  They all, I hope, love their homes for their domestic ties,
+but for no other reason do I wish them to prefer any place to their
+school.  The result is, I rejoice to say, that we have no Black Monday
+at Grafton Hall, and that I see as happy, smiling faces in most
+instances at the commencement of a half-year as I do at the end of it,
+when they are about to quit me."
+
+Ernest had never made an impromptu speech before, but he could not now
+resist the impulse he felt, so rising, he exclaimed--
+
+"What the Doctor says, ladies and gentlemen, is very true.  I, as the
+head of the school, and just about to leave, may assuredly be considered
+good evidence.  He has made the school a happy home to us all; he has
+made us like learning by the pleasant way in which he has imparted
+knowledge to us, at the same time that he has shown us the importance of
+working out most branches of it for ourselves.  He has invariably
+treated us justly; and while he has acted towards us with strictness, he
+has also never failed in his kindness under all circumstances, and at
+all times.  He has always been indulgent when he could, and has done
+everything to insure our health, our comfort, and amusement; I cannot
+say more.  It is my belief that Grafton Hall is one of the happiest and
+best schools in England, and that Dr Carr has made it so.  Heaven bless
+you, sir."
+
+Amidst thundering rounds of applause from all his schoolfellows Ernest
+sat down.  The Doctor was very much affected at the way Ernest had
+spoken.  The party at last broke up.  The next day the boys went home,
+and Ernest found himself no longer, properly speaking, a schoolboy.
+Still he was in no hurry to shake off his schoolboy's habits and
+feelings.  After spending a few weeks at home, he went down to his new
+tutor at Ryde, in the Isle of Wight.  The house stood high up,
+overlooking Portsmouth and Spithead, where England's proud fleets are
+wont to assemble at anchor.  It was the yachting season, and the place
+was full of visitors.
+
+The day after his arrival he went out, and one of the first people he
+encountered was Ellis.  The friends were delighted to meet.  The latter
+soon explained the cause of his being there.  His father and mother had
+come to Ryde, and had secured a very nice little yacht for him, small
+compared to the large vessels which form the navy of the different
+clubs, but quite large enough to sail about in every direction on the
+waters of the Solent.
+
+"It was one of my favourite amusements," said Ellis.  "In truth it was
+the only one, till you taught me to like cricket and other games at
+school.  Now you must come and learn about yachting with me."
+
+Ernest said that he should like it much, but that he must read hard with
+his tutor.
+
+"The very thing to help your reading," pleaded Ellis.  "Ask him, and if
+he is a sensible man he will tell you that if you take a trip now and
+then on the water it will refresh your brains, and you will be able to
+read all the better for it."
+
+To Ernest's surprise, his tutor fully agreed with the advice Ellis had
+given him, and it was not long before he found himself on the deck of
+the "Fairy."  Such was the name Ellis had given to his yacht.  Scarcely
+had Ernest stepped on board than he set to work to make himself
+acquainted with all the details of the vessel.  The use of the helm and
+the way the wind acts on the sails he understood clearly.  He had
+studied theoretically the principle of balancing the sails with the
+wind, and also the mode in which the water acts on the hull.  He had
+read about leeway, and headway, and sternway; and now that he had an
+opportunity of examining the practical working of these theories, he
+hoped to master the subject thoroughly, so as never to forget it, and to
+be able, when called on, to make it of use.  At first the old sailor,
+who acted as the master of the yacht, and for that matter crew also, for
+there was only a boy besides, seemed inclined to look on Ernest as a
+green hand, and to turn up his nose at him.  Ernest, however, did not
+show that he perceived this, and went about very quietly, gaining all
+the information he required.
+
+"What is this rope called?" he asked of the old man while Ellis was
+below, before he got under way.
+
+"The main sheet, sir," was the answer.
+
+Ernest made no other remark, but he examined where one end was secured;
+he ran his eye along it from block to block, and calculated how much of
+it was coiled away.
+
+"These are the shrouds, I know; and this?" he asked.
+
+"The backstay, sir," replied the old man.
+
+He underwent a thorough examination.
+
+"And this, I see, must be the topmast backstay; and this the forestay;
+and that the topmast stay.  Is it not so?" he asked.
+
+Thus he went on, rapidly learning not only the names, but the uses of
+all the ropes, and of everything on deck.  By the time Ellis returned on
+deck he was surprised to find that Ernest had already made himself at
+home on board, and, as he said, was ready to lend a hand to pull and
+haul if required.
+
+"The tide will soon have made, and we shall be able to get to the
+westward," said Ellis, looking about him.  "We'll set the mainsail,
+Hobbs, and be all ready for a start."
+
+Preparations were accordingly made to set the mainsail.  The throat was
+hoisted nearly up; the peak was half hoisted; then the jib was bent on,
+and hauled out to the bowsprit end.
+
+"Come, Ernest, bowse away on the bobstay," cried Ellis.
+
+Ernest was for a moment at fault, but when he saw his friend hauling
+away on a rope forward, he took hold of it, and soon guessed its object.
+
+"Let us tauten the bowsprit shrouds a bit," said Ellis.  Ernest knew
+what that meant.  The jib was hoisted and bowsed well up, then the
+backstays, and the topmast-stays were tautened.  "Now, Hobbs, go to the
+helm; we'll get the foresail up."  Ernest helped Ellis to hoist away on
+the fore-halliards; the old master overhauled the main sheet while Ellis
+overhauled the lee-runner and tackle.  The throat he settled a little,
+that is, he let the inner end of the gaff drop a little, and then he and
+Ernest gave all their strength to hoisting the peak of the mainsail well
+up.  The mainsail now stood like a board; the wind was light, so the
+gaff-topsail was set, and then, as Ellis wished to cast off-shore, he
+watched till the wind came on the port or left side of the foresail.
+Instantly he let go the moorings, and the Fairy's head turned towards
+the north, or across channel; the jib sheet was hauled in, so was the
+main sheet; the foresail was let draw, and the little vessel, feeling
+the full force of the breeze, glided swiftly along through the sparkling
+waters.
+
+Ernest clapped his hands.  "Oh, this is truly delightful," he exclaimed,
+after they had been skimming along for some time, enjoying the view of
+Spithead, where several large ships were at anchor; of Ryde, climbing up
+its steep hill; of Cowes, to the westward, and the wooded shores of the
+Solent extending in the same direction as far as the eye could reach.
+The wind freshened up again, and they had a magnificent sail, looking
+into Cowes harbour and standing through the roads, where some dozen fine
+yachts were at anchor, and some twenty more cruising about in sight.
+They passed Calshot Castle on the north, and beat on till they sighted
+Hurst Castle, at the entrance of the Solent passage to the westward,
+while the little town of Yarmouth appeared on the island shore, and
+Lymington on the mainland.
+
+"The wind is likely to fall towards the evening, and if you young
+gentlemen wishes to get home before night, we had better be about," said
+old Hobbs, looking up at the sky on every side.
+
+Although Ellis was very fond of anchoring whenever he felt inclined, or
+the tide and wind made it convenient, and of sleeping on board, or of
+keeping under way all night, Ernest was anxious to get back to read
+during the evening; the helm was therefore put up, the main sheet was
+eased away, and the "Fairy" ran off to the eastward before the wind.
+
+Ellis was at the helm.  "As we are in a hurry, we will make more sail,
+and see how fast the little barkie can walk along; Hobbs, get the
+square-sail on her."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," was the reply; and the sail being hauled up from forward,
+was bent on to its yard, and soon being swayed up, presented a fine wide
+field of snowy canvas to the breeze.  Thus the little craft bowled
+along, till once more she approached her moorings off Ryde.  Then the
+square-sail was taken in, and the jib being let fly, Ellis put down the
+helm, and shot her up to the buoy, which old Hobbs, boat-hook in hand,
+stood ready to catch hold of and haul on board.
+
+"I have never enjoyed a day more," exclaimed Ernest; "now I must go home
+and read as hard as I can to make up for lost time."
+
+"You will read all the better, as I said, and come as often as you can;
+we will do our best to get back so that you may not lose all the day."
+This was said by Ellis as they parted.
+
+The next time Ernest came down to sail in the "Fairy" he found Arden,
+whom Ellis, having met at Ryde, had invited to join them.  Arden was a
+very nice little fellow; the only and treasured child of his father and
+mother, and had always been delicately nurtured; too delicately, I
+suspect, for he had been prevented from engaging in many of the manly
+exercises which are so important in fitting a boy to meet the rough
+usage of the world.  He could thus neither climb nor swim, and as Ellis
+said, was very much like a fish out of water on board a boat, though he
+was very unlike one in the water.  He was, however, now anxious to
+remedy some of his defects, and finding sailing pleasant, was glad to
+accompany Ellis whenever he asked him.
+
+The old schoolfellows got on board, as merry and happy as lads who feel
+conscious that they have been working hard and doing their duty can be.
+Those, I hold, who are viciously employed and neglecting their duty can
+never be happy.  The wind was from the same quarter as the last time
+Ernest was on board, though there was rather more of it.  The "Fairy"
+having been got under way, stood over to the north shore, and then
+tacked and stood towards Cowes.  As she bounded buoyantly over the
+waves, the spirits of the three schoolfellows rose high.  Ernest added
+considerably to his stock of nautical knowledge, while Arden was
+exercising his muscles by climbing up the rigging, hanging on to the
+shrouds by his hands, and swinging himself backwards and forwards.  All
+this time the breeze freshening, the gaff-topsail had just been stowed;
+old Hobbs was at the helm, and Ellis himself was to windward, when
+Arden, in the pride of his newly-acquired accomplishment, as he was
+running forward on the lee-side, as he said, to take a swing on the
+shrouds, his foot slipped, he lost his balance, and before he could
+clutch a rope, over the slight bulwarks he went, head foremost into the
+water.  Ernest was sitting on the same side of the little vessel.  Quick
+as thought, before Ellis, who had been looking to windward, knew what
+had happened, or Arden could cry out, Ernest sprang overboard.  He knew
+that every instant would increase the difficulty of saving his friend:
+he threw off neither shoes nor jacket; there was no time for that.
+Arden came to the surface, and stretching out his arms towards him
+shrieked out, "Save me, save me!  O my mother!"  Ernest struck out
+bravely through the water towards him, while the little cutter flew on;
+it seemed leaving them far behind: such was not the case, however.  Old
+Hobbs giving a look behind his shoulder to see where they were, put down
+the helm, that he might put the vessel about as rapidly as possible, and
+heave-to, while Ellis could jump into the punt to their rescue.
+
+Ernest had no time to consider what was to be done; his first aim was to
+get hold of Arden and to keep his head above water.  The poor lad,
+unaccustomed to the water, quickly lost all presence of mind, and was
+striking out wildly and clutching at the air.  Ernest saw the danger
+there would be in approaching him, and therefore, instead of swimming
+directly for him, took a circuit and then darted rapidly at him from
+behind.  Grasping him by the collar, by a strong turn of his arm he
+threw him on his back, and then he held him while he himself trod water,
+and assisted himself to float with his left hand.
+
+"Don't be alarmed, now, Arden, my dear fellow; keep your arms quiet and
+you will float easily," he exclaimed.  "There, just look up at the sky;
+now you find that your face is perfectly out of the water; never mind if
+your head sinks a little; steady, so, all right, old fellow."
+
+With words to give confidence and encouragement, Ernest tried to calm
+poor Arden's fears; yet he himself turned many an anxious glance towards
+the yacht.
+
+The instant Ellis had heard Arden's cry and saw Ernest in the water, he
+leaped up and hauled the punt, towing astern, up alongside.
+
+"Wait, sir, wait till we are about," said Hobbs; "you'll be nearer to
+them then, and on the same side they are."
+
+Ellis saw this, and as the cutter came round he jumped into the punt and
+shoved off.  Ernest saw his friend coming.  He began to feel more
+anxious than before.  The punt was small, and he was afraid, should
+Arden struggle, she also might be capsized.  He therefore urged Arden to
+remain perfectly quiet, while Ellis hauled him in.  The moment Ellis
+reached them he threw in his oars, and wisely leaning over the bows,
+caught hold of Arden's collar and lifted him partly out of the water,
+while Ernest swam round to the stern and climbed in over it.  He now was
+able to come to Ellis's assistance, and together they hauled in poor
+Arden, more frightened than hurt, over the bows.  They soon made him
+safe in the little cabin of the cutter, with his clothes stripped off,
+and he himself wrapped up in a blanket.  The clothes quickly dried in
+the warm sun and air, and he was able to be the first to describe his
+accident to his parents, and to speak of Ernest's gallant conduct in
+saving him.
+
+"My dear Arden," replied Ernest, when the former was overwhelming him
+with thanks, "I learned to swim, and know how to retain my presence of
+mind.  Had you been able, you would have done the same for me; so say no
+more about it."
+
+Young Arden did not say much more about it, nor did Mr Arden to Ernest
+himself; but he had powerful friends in India, and when, after some
+months Bracebridge arrived there, he found himself cordially welcomed,
+and placed in a position where he had full scope for the exercise of his
+talents.
+
+For some time Ernest Bracebridge had not heard from any of his old
+schoolfellows.  War was raging.  His regiment, with others, was
+appointed to attack a stronghold of the enemy.  He led on his men with a
+gallantry for which he had been ever conspicuous, but they met with a
+terrific opposition.  Almost in vain they struggled on.  Again and again
+they were beaten back, and as often encouraged by their brave leader,
+they charged the foe.  At length he fell.  His men rallied round him to
+carry him off, when there was a loud cheer--a fresh regiment was coming
+to their support.  Ernest looked up.  They were Queen's troops.  He saw
+the face of the officer who led them, as, waving his sword, he dashed
+by.  Ernest shouted, "Ellis--Ellis!"  The enemy could not stand the
+shock of the British bayonets.  They fled in confusion.  Ernest heard
+the cry, "They run--they run."  Then he sunk, exhausted from loss of
+blood.
+
+At length the blood was stanched, a cordial was poured down his throat,
+and looking up, he saw the countenance of his old friend Edward Ellis
+bending anxiously over him.  Ellis bore him to his tent, and nursed him
+with the care of a brother.  Together in many a hard-fought fight they
+served their country, and often talked of their old schoolfellows, of
+the kind Doctor, and of the happy days they spent at Grafton Hall.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Ernest Bracebridge, by William H. G. Kingston
+
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