f his jacket; "I don't
want to knock your silly head off. You wait till I've thrashed Master
Physic, and then old Dicksee shall give you your dose."

I saw Dicksee look at him with rather a startled aspect, but Burr major
took no notice beyond giving him a contemptuous glance, as he neatly
folded up his jacket, and then removed his waistcoat.

"Here, Bill Ducie, go down and shut the stable door, and lock it
inside," continued Burr major in a lofty tone; "we don't want to be
interrupted before we've polished off these two beggars."

The boy ran down, and it sounded very formidable to hear the door bang
and the rusty lock turned.

"Now then, off with that coat, sir," said Burr major, as he began
rolling up his shirt over his thin white arms. "I'm not going to wait
all day. The bell will ring for dinner directly. Hold my clothes, one
of you; I don't want them dirty."

I saw Mercer set his teeth as he pulled off his jacket and vest, and he
pitched them both into the big bin, looking very stubborn and determined
the while.

"Here, Dicksee, you come and second me, I'll second you afterward. You
new boy, you'd better second old Senna. Pah! how physicky he smells!"

I had the vaguest notions of what I had to do, but I imitated Dicksee as
well as I could, as the boys stood on one side breathless with
excitement, and Burr major and Mercer faced each other with their fists
clenched.

Then there was a due amount of sparring, followed by a few blows given
and taken, and Burr major drew back and sat down on Dicksee's knee,
Mercer taking his place on mine.

"Did he hurt you much?" I whispered.

"Horrid," was whispered back, "and I can't half get to hit at him."

Then some one shouted, and they fought again, with the result that my
blood seemed to boil as poor Mercer came staggering back.

"Had enough?" said Burr major in lofty tones.

For answer Mercer flew at him, and there was another long, fierce round,
which seemed to consist in Mercer's adversary driving him about the
place, knocking him about just as much as he liked, and ending by
sending him staggering back, so that he would have fallen all in a heap
had I not caught him in my arms.

"Had enough, Doctor?" cried Burr major contemptuously, and as I
supported Mercer he uttered a low sob of misery.

"Yes, he's done. Now, Dicksee, I'll second you.--Off with your togs and
polish him off till his face shines. Now then, look sharp, Senna,
you've got to back