The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

8 THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN ? | “ Wor a stroll round the town.” “T am with you, then; I'll leave Mercury at the ‘Red Lion’ stables. Do you know Baynes has arrived ?” “We came down with him,” said Feerton. | “And he is not the least bit improved. Do you know I saw him, with his friend Crawley and another, tormenting a poor Loy as I came down the High Street?” Fitzgerald and Egerton looked at each other. “ Our young friend,” said Frank. “No; only a poorchap. He looked as if he had no friends about this part of the country.” “We brought him with us from town. Baynes gave him a blow, for which he received a good thrashing.” “From whom ?” asked the earl. “ Our friend Egerton.” ‘Hurrah! Iam glad the fellow has found his master at last.” “It was only a caning affair; the fight has yet to come.” “ That’s not quite so rosy-looking. Can you fight, Egerton ?” “ Pretty well,” replied Frank.“ When I was at a private tutor’s, I used to practise with the gloves for nearly an hour every day with the grooms at some livery stables.” “© Baynes is very clever with his fists, and you'll be obliged to fight; so mind what you are about.” By this time they had passed through a gate, over which stood a statue of King James I., and were in the High Street of the town. The Earl of Pembridge conducted them up a turning on the right hand side, and left his horse at some stables. While he was so doing, Egerton heard shouts at some distance, and looking, saw his young protégé surrounded by a dozen or more town boys, who were urged on by Baynes, and two orthree other gen- tlemen from the college, to pelt the poor London outcast with stones and mud. Egerton, Fitzgerald, and the Earl of Pembridge rushed forward, and, after a brief skirmish, succeeded in rescuing the boy, The first-named then turned to Baynes. “ Are you not ashamed of yourself?” he said. “Tam not; but I shall be if I sub- mit to any more of your impertinence. I shall be in the old chalk-pit at three o’clock to-morrow afternoon if you dare to meet me there. Any of your friends will show you the way.” ‘¢ T will find the way, and be in time.’ The two parties then separated. Crawley exclaimed to his friend Baynes, as they walked down the street— “That new fellow must be taken down, or he will make himself King of the School !” “He shall not while I have either strength or cunning left. I mean to lick him into a sense of his proper po- sition to-morrow.” “ Quite right.” They walked on in silence for some time, till they reached a tobacco shop, over which hung a red lamp. “Do you play billiards, Crawley ?” asked Baynes. “No.” “Well, come in here and Ill teach ou.” He walked through the shop, pushed open a green baize-covered door, and ushered his companion into a large room, lichted at the top, in which stood two billiard tables. Round the room stood racks for cues, and all the usual furniture found in such places. Both tables were occupied, so Baynes and his companion were compelled to look on while others played. _ While so engaged a tall, bushy-whis- kered individual, buttoned up to the chin in a frock-coat, and carrying in his hand a riding-whip, entered the room. Baynes flushed slightly when he saw the man enter. Don Whiskerandos, after a quiet glance round the room, went up to the schoolboy and held out his hand. “ Glad to see you again, Mr. Baynes,” said he; “we have been very quiet since you gents went away—haven’t we, Chalky ?” Go NOC (S(O) mn