the runner tripping over on his nose in the mud, with the ball spinning
away a yard ahead.

It was all up. No! Fisher was on the spot, and at Fisher's heels
Ridgway. The Rendlesham backs flung themselves in the way, but only to
divert, not to stop their career. When Corder picked himself up and
rubbed the mud out of his eyes, the first thing he saw was Ridgway
sitting behind the enemy's line with the ball comfortably resting on his
knee! It was another for the School--perhaps a goal.

Alas! on that ground the long side-kick was too much even for Yorke. It
shot wide, and Rendlesham breathed again.

But the long and short of it was that the match was a tie; a goal and a
try to each side; and that to Corder belonged the credit of a big hand
in the lesser point.

"Awfully well run, Corder," said the captain, as, time having been
called, the two walked off the field together. "You must play for us
again."

After that, who should say life was not worth living?

The very weather seemed to change for Corder. The sun came out, flowers
sprang up at his feet, birds started singing in the trees overhead.
What a letter he would have to write home to-morrow! The captain's pat
on the back sent a glow all through him. Who wouldn't be a Fellsgarth
chap after all?

It scarcely damped his joy to perceive that neither Clapperton, Dangle,
nor Brinkman shared in the general congratulations, but looked more
black and threatening than ever as he passed. Pooh! what did he care
for that!

How he enjoyed the glorious Rendlesham high tea, and the drive home in
the rain with everybody talking and laughing and rejoicing, singing
songs and shouting war-cries! He was quite sorry when it came to an
end, and he had to dismount and go over alone to his own house.

He could hear the shouts and huzzas of the Classics across the Green as
Wakefield's turned out in a body to welcome their men. No one at
Forder's turned out to welcome him. The four prefects themselves had
not even waited for him.

For the first time that day Corder felt himself wishing he had a little
sympathy in his jubilation. It was dull, when everybody over on the
other side was shouting himself hoarse, to hear not a "cheep" of
congratulation from his own fellows.

However, it didn't matter much. He went to his room and changed, and
hoped his messmate Wilson would not be long in coming for supper and a
gossip.

Wilson came presently, but his face was glum a