glittered in the sunbeams, only people could not help inquiring how they
came to be up so high in the air.

At last all were ready to set forth; some pushed the carriages, and
others carried the kites. Ernest and Ellis rolled up theirs, and
carried it along very easily. The Doctor led the way, accompanied by
two or three of the biggest fellows; but he would every now and then
stop, and call up some of the smaller ones to have a talk with them.

The ground chosen for the trial of the kites was a high, downy
table-land, with a fine flat surface. It was a very pretty sight to see
all the boys, with their carriages and gaily-coloured kites, assembled
together. There were nearly fifty kites, for many brought small kites,
with which they had no intention to contend for a prize. All the
masters, and several friends of the Doctor's and some of the boys,
attended to act as umpires. At last everything was arranged.

The kite-flyers formed one long line, with the wind in their backs. The
first point to be decided was the beauty of the kites. Lemon had his
horn, which was to be used as a signal. He blew three shrill blasts.
At the sound of the third, up they all flew, some starting rapidly
upwards; others wavering about before ascending; a few refusing to mount
altogether beyond a few yards off the ground. However, the greater
number mounted rapidly, their brilliant colours flashing in the
sunbeams. The spectators clapped their hands loudly, as a mark of their
approbation, and then set to work to make notes, that they might decide
when called on to declare on whom the prizes ought to be bestowed.

Monsieur Malin's Green Dragon came in for a large share of praise, so
did the General Officer; but Ellis's Knight of the Silver Shield was
decided to be the most elegant and beautiful of all the kites, and the
owner was called forth to receive his meed of applause.

Many were surprised when they saw Ellis, with his awkward gait,
shuffling out from among the crowd; and, more especially, when he
announced himself, in a hesitating tone, not only as the maker, but as
the designer of the Knight of the Silver Shield.

One kite went up some way, just sufficient to exhibit its ugliness, but
wavered and rolled about in the most extraordinary manner, evidently
showing that it was lop-sided. It received shouts, but they were not of
applause, and they were accompanied by hisses, which the Doctor,
however, repressed. The kite receive