, though never spoken
to. He listened eagerly to what Ernst was saying, as also to the
exclamations of the other boys.

"I am ready to burn for the true faith," said Ernst. "It were well for
some of you to try and learn what that true faith is, instead of abusing
a foreigner sent among you."

"Are you, young jackanapes, to teach us?" exclaimed several of the big
boys together; and the younger ones, set on by them, once more began to
attack Ernst, to pull his coat tails, and to give him cuffs on the head.
He stood it for some time in his usual way, till one of the big ones
began to treat him in the same manner. Instantly turning round, he
struck his new assailant a blow between the eyes, which sent him reeling
backwards. The boy, enraged, flew upon Ernst, and would have punished
him severely, had not at that moment the lad who, has been spoken of
sprung forward.

"Fair play!" he exclaimed, "fair play! English boys, if you forget what
that is, I intend to see it carried out. Now as Ernst Verner is a
slight boy, and I am a stout one, whoever wants to attack him must
attack me first--who is ready? Come on! you all know me, Andrew A'Dale,
that I never flinch from a fight; and with a good cause to fight for, I
am not going to do so now."

The boy who had been attacking Ernst, blinded with anger, flew at
A'Dale, who sent him back reeling among his companions.

"Does anybody else want to attack Verner?" he exclaimed; "let him come
on now, or ever afterwards keep quiet."

No one answered the challenge. The bigger boys walked off one by one
with looks of anger turned towards A'Dale, while the younger ones slunk
away, and Ernst was left standing near A'Dale. Ernst thanked A'Dale
warmly for the protection he had afforded him.

"I never stood up for another more willingly," answered A'Dale. "You
are a foreigner, and without friends, and more than that you are a
Protestant, and your parents have suffered for a good cause. Both those
things would make me wish you well, but I like you for yourself, and for
the spirit you have shown, so say no more about it."

From that day forward Ernst and Andrew A'Dale became firm friends.

Soon after this the whole school went in procession, according to
custom, to attend the service of the Boy Bishop. He was one of the
choristers of the cathedral, one of whom every year was selected for
this office. He was habited in a bishop's full dress, though it cannot
be said that he lo