nergetic support of his party to make head against the big, strong
fellows of the opposite side. When he had very nearly driven the ball
home to the goal, several of them threw themselves before him, and drove
it some way back again; but Buttar, Bouldon, Gregson, and some others
had now come up, and even little Eden rushed heroically in to stop its
course and to drive it back, so that Ernest might once more get it
within the power of his unerring stick. The big fellows of Blackall's
party had rushed on, separating widely, and not observing, or rather
regarding, little Eden, whom had they seen they would not have supposed
daring enough to attempt to hit the ball. He did not hit it very far,
certainly; but yet his stroke was one of the most important which had
been given, for it enabled Tom Bouldon to send it up very nearly to the
goal. Ernest saw it coming. He sprang forward; and almost before it
had stopped, his stick had caught it and sent it triumphantly over the
line. The big fellows were astonished when they saw how and by whom
they had been defeated. Blackall especially was enraged.

"That young scamp, Bouldon, and that little shrimp, Eden, ought not to
be allowed to play. There is no guarding against their sneaking,
underhand ways," he observed. I believe, indeed, he made use of still
more opprobrious epithets, with which I do not wish to defile my pages.
Even some of his own side laughed at his anger, but still no one thought
of rebuking him.

"Never mind, we'll beat them well the next turn," answered Rodwell, a
big, good-natured fellow, on his side. "Now, young Bracebridge, you,
sir, look out for yourself. We are not going to let you run over the
course in this way again."

"Oh, we are not afraid of you; we shall do our best to win again, at all
events," said Ernest, taking up the ball, and walking off with it to his
side of the ground. "Now look out, old fellows."

"What's that the impudent young scamp says?" exclaimed Blackall. "We'll
pay him and his sneaking set off before long, so let him look out."

Ernest heard what was said, but took no notice of the remark. He
appeared to be entirely absorbed in considering in what direction he
should drive the ball. He eyed the position of the various players,
both on the other side and on his own. He called Bouldon up to him, and
whispered various directions to him. Bouldon ran off, and immediately
several of his side changed their places.

"Ah!