The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

32 his blows, no matter how artfully he feinted, not one blow reached his an- tagonist. Leatherlegs could not make it out. His own right arm had been well punished from the wrist right up to the shoulder. He grew wild and desperate, and, consequently, received more punish- ment than before, Still, he managed to guard his head pretty well, and trusted to his strength of limb and lung to weary Professor Moeritz, and at last break through his guard. But Leatherlegs, on this occasion, reckoned without his host. Professor Moeritz was far too ex- perienced a swordsman to allow any- thing of the kind to take place. He only waited for a safe opportunity, which soon came; then his stick de- scended with terrible force upon the keeper’s head. Leatherlegs, half stunned, dropped upen one knee, and held up his hands in token of defeat. ‘“ Now you shall explain why you insult these young gentlemen!” said the professor. | | “They are poachers; they have no right to come here and catch rabbits.” “You are wrong, my friend,” replied the earl, “I received a letter from Squire Ousely this morning giving me permission to do so, and bring any of my schoolfellows. Can you _ read, Leatherlegs ?” “Yes.” “Then read that.” The earl handed him a letter. Leatherlegs started rather ag he THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? perceived the address—* To the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembridge, &c.” After a glance at the contents of the note, he handed it back, saying— “TI begs your lordship’s pardon, and yours, gentlemen, but the squire didn’t tell me anything about this, and it was my duty ” , “All right; now show us the best part of the wood for this kind of sport, and I'll give you five shillings.” “Certainly, my lord.” | “T say, isn’t that giving a sound crown to heal a cracked one?” asked Webber. “Now, Freddy, you really must not behave in this outrageous style,” ob- served . Fitzgerald. “Egerton was obliged to check you yesterday, remem- ber.” “ How kind of him.” “ Freddy rather liked being stuck up a tree, I fancy,” said Marsham. “Not at all; I should be very sorry to put Frank to any inconvenience. But I can assure you that, although I was stuck up yesterday, I did not feel the least bit proud at occupying such an exalted position.” By this time they had reached another rabbit colony, where, after following the experienced advice of Leatherlegs, they managed to procure six more live rabbits. — Well pleased with their afternoon’s sport, they then returned to the school- house, the rabbits having been left at the “ Six Bells,” excepting three which Webber thought fit to carry home with him to help him in carrying. out a scheme his fertile brain had invented. EO DOC EO mn