master, with a
comprehensive wave of his arm; and, then, the chorus of yells, shouts,
screams, and stray laughter that at first echoed through my ears, like
the din of Pandemonium, having ceased as soon as the Doctor's presence
in their midst was perceived by the boys, that worthy very briefly
introduced me.

"Here's a new boy--ah--make friends with him; but, ah--no fighting!"

Having thus done as much as he thought necessary, the master withdrew,
shutting the door that communicated with the house behind him; and I,
going down the steps, with some little hesitation in the face of all the
mass of boys who were now staring at me, with, it seemed to me, the
concentrated look of one, found myself in a minute surrounded by them.

I was just like a solitary pigeon amongst a flock of rooks, for all, as
if with a single voice, began eagerly shouting out a series of the most
personal questions, without giving me time to answer them individually.

After a bit, the clamour somewhat ceased, and then a tall, slenderly-
built chap, who appeared to be the cock of the school, came up to me,
while the others formed a circle around us two, waiting for the upshot
of their leader's action. It was enough to make one feel nervous, for
they all became suddenly silent, although I could see one or two nudging
each other and grinning gleefully, as if some highly interesting episode
was expected at my expense.

"What is your name?" said the tall one.

"Martin Leigh," I replied, civilly, seeing no harm in the question.

"Oh, that's a fine name," observed my interlocutor, sneeringly; "I
suppose you're the son of a duke, and a nobleman in disguise?"

"No," said I, calmly, put on my mettle by hearing the others sniggering
at their leader's wit, as they thought it--"my father was an officer."

"That's a good one!" said the tall chap, with a stagey laugh; "I think
he must have belonged to the Horse Marines--didn't he?"

At this there was a chorus of chuckles from the surrounding boys, with
cries of "Go it, Slodgers!" and other impertinent interruptions, causing
my quick temper to fire up.

"You're wrong again, `Mr Sharp,'" I said, angrily. "He was an officer
in the navy, and a gentleman--more than yours was, I should think."

"You impudent young beggar, what do you mean?" retorted the tall boy,
taking a step nearer me, and raising his hand as if to give me a slap on
the face; "your father was a sweep, you hound!"

"You lie!" I yelled o