The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 147: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KiNG OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN ? peas soon sent. them into their shops again. | Close by the turnpike gate they met a party of the choristers, who returned their fire with pebbles, one of which gave Freddy Webber a black eye. But they were soon out of range, and out of the town also, though that was not the only adventure they were destined to meet on the road. For some time they spun along ali jolly. | The coachman wasas pleased as Punch to be at his old trade again, and even the horses seemed to partake of his enjoy- ment. At last they came in sight of the tumble-down hostelry, deserted since coaching times by all save a few grooms from some _ neighbouring racing-stables, and touts who strove by fair or foul means to give some in- formation regarding the horses. The “Druid’s Head” was, however, on the present occasion in a state of ex- citement, The coach was to stop ten minutes, and the host, knowing that our young friends of Lexicon College were generally pretty free with their money, calculated upon doing a good trade during that short period. As they neared the house arespectably dressed youth was seen to emerge from it, and takethe road towards Hendover. “That looks like Baynes!” exclaimed Egerton. “It does—but it can’t be the young ruffian,” replied Lascelles. Frank was of a different opinion, however. ‘We shall soon overtake him when we have changed horses,” said he, “then: our doubts will be decided. But I really think it is Baynes.” | .The discussion ceased as the coach pulled up at the ‘“ Druid’s Head.” Frank Egerton took an opportunity of asking the landlord if he knew anything of the youth who had just left, and t ceived a surly “no” for answer, — | After s brief interval devoted to the demol‘tion of biscuite, cheese, and ale, 141 the coachman announced that time was up, and our friends once more clam- bered to the box. The Earl of Pembridge, who had heard the foregoing discussion, without taking part in it, was of the same Opinion as Frank. He thought it just possible that Baynes might be in a very desperate state of mind, and thinking of making another attack on Egerton. So to guard against mischief as much as possible, he changed seats with Frank, by which piece of strategy the King of the School was placed between two other boys, against whom Baynes could shave no particular enmity. Then off they started again. After proceeding about a mile, they again caught sight of the doubtful per- son in front of them. | At the same time Freddy called at- tention to a gentleman shooting in the fields on the right hand side of the road. | The youth in front of them climbed up on the bank to look at the sports- man, and seemed not to hear the wheels of the coach. Presently the gentleman’s dog came to a dead point, and the next moment a partridge rose, flying not many feet above the ground, almost directly in a line for the youth on the bank. Baynes—for he it was as they could all see—jumped back into the road to avoid the shots from the sportsman’s un. | oe Hi! Out of the way!” shouted the coachman, pulling hard at his horses. Too late! | The near leader knocked him down, and, before the coach could be stopped, the wheel had passed over his right thigh and shoulder. All the fun of the day was spoiled at once. The boys jumped down, and clustered round their late schoolfellow, who lay insensible on the hard road. Only a slight movement of lips told them that Baynes still lived ECO IOC A) EO mn