The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 146: what you’re looking at

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140 we were afraid to play a game with that wretched academy for young gentlemen THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN ?. So they all agreed to patronise the coach, and then retired to rest; but up town, or even with our own ‘night- | very few of them slept much that ingales,’ Iam happy to find all that is changed ; we are a united band now, and either in school-room or play-field a match for any educational establish- ment of the same size in England.” (Cheers, prolonged and uproarious. ) Frank then proposed the health of Dr. Whackley; and, after that, the health of Professor Moeritz, of whom he spoke so flatteringly that the bashful German could only reply— | “Sie machen mir da ein kompli- ment worauf ich nichts zu antworten weis.” (You make me a compliment to which I know not what to reply.) Freddy Webber then sang a comic song, so did some one else, and—well, after a great deal of merriment, they went to bed. Frank Egerton and his immediate friends had a long discussion in their bedroom as to the different ways of getting home. | | The direct line to London ran one train to London at a very early hour, then no more till past midday — an arrangement which did not suit our friends. “T tell you what it is, boys,” sud- denly said the earl; “I thought of all this yesterday, and made an arrange- ment which I fancy you will approve of.” ‘What is that ?” “T have engaged the old Bath coach, which you know has not been running for some months: the springs and wheels have been thoroughly looked to, and a relay of horses sent on to the half-way house. It will be here at eight in the morning, and take us over to Hendover, only sixteen miles, in time for the ten o’clock South Midland train.” - “Hurrah! But you can’t take all the school,” said Freddy. “Of course I mean our own form, We shall be in London before this lazy West Midland train has fairly started.” night. | | The great day at last dawned, fine and clear, with the least suspicion of frost in the atmosphere. | | Every boy was out of bed as soon as it was light, and more than one fierce bolstering encounter took place. After breakfast, which was not par- taken of with usual appetites, the rattle of wheels announced that the coach had arrived. | i A very dashing turn-out had beén made of the old Bath Express. Four very decent horses had been harnessed to it, and the former driver, now keeper of a small beerhouse, sat on the. box, arrayed in all his ancient glory. | Up clambered the boys, many of them being armed with pea-shooters, with which they fired a succession of volleys at poor Thomas, the footman, who was busy with the luggage. “Now, gentlemen, don't if you please!” the poor fellow exclaimed, as the missiles stung his face and hands. | “Hold hard a minute, boys,” said Frank. “ We must give Thomas some- thing better than peas as a parting present. Shell out you fellows.” Throwing half-a-crown into his hat by way of example, the King of the School made a_ collection for the serving-man amounting to about thirty shilling. | “ Half-a-sov. for Tiddy (the boot- cleaner),” our hero remarked, as he handed him the money, which was received with profuse thanks. ‘And mind you don’t spend it allin beer,” said Freddy, with his mouth full of peas. . “Right, sir,—all right, coachee!” The driver motioned to the man who stood at the horses’ heads, gave the leaders a flick with the whipcord, and away they went. People in the market-place cheered , a8 the vehicle dashed along, but the (C(O) MAICLOOC EO mn