think I will allow him to bully me?"

"The boot's on the other leg," said Davies, dryly. "Run after the ball,
and don't keep the game waiting."

"That's so," said half a dozen voices. "Let Cameron alone."

"I won't let him alone," said Thorne, who had by this time worked
himself into a towering passion. "I'll give him the worst flogging he
ever had, if he doesn't obey me!"

So saying, he advanced toward Cameron in a menacing manner.

Thorne was the acknowledged bully of the school. He was a big, hulking
fellow, with a heavy figure and a repulsive face, and small ferret eyes,
emitting a cold and baleful light. He was more than a match for any of
his fellow-pupils, and availed himself of his superior physical strength
to abuse and browbeat the smaller boys. Knowing his strength he was not
afraid of interference, and usually carried his point. If Cameron had
not been particularly occupied playing marbles with a boy of his own age
he would not have ventured to object to obey the despot. When he saw
Thorne advancing toward him with a cruel light in his eyes he became
frightened, and said, hurriedly:

"Don't pound me, Thorne, I'll go."

"Yes," said Thorne, between his teeth, "you'll go; but you ought to have
done so at first. I'll give you something to remind you to be more
prompt next time."

"Don't hit me, Thorne!" pleaded the little boy, with tears in his eyes.
"I'm going."

"Shame, Thorne!" exclaimed Davies.

Thorne glared at Davies wrathfully.

"Take care how you talk," he said, "or it'll be your turn next!"

Davies was two inches shorter than Thorne, and by no means his equal.
So, honestly indignant as he was, he didn't venture to say any more.

Little Cameron turned to run, despairing of help, and Thorne started to
pursue him. Of course there was no chance of the smaller boy's escape,
or would not have been, but for an unexpected incident.

"Stop!" was heard, in a clear, commanding voice.

Thorne turned in surprise. What boy (for it was a boy's voice) had dared
to command him to atop?

He wasn't long in doubt.

Jasper Kent, a new scholar, who had only arrived the day before,
advanced intrepidly to the rescue of the little victim. He was an inch
shorter than Thorne, of a slight, elegant build, with a clear complexion
and a bright, attractive face that would have been pronounced handsome
by anyone. Judging from outward appearances, no one would have thought
him the equal of Thorne in strength.

Wh