he succeeded in most
effectually fixing a gag in his mouth. Still Blackall struggled
furiously; but though not one of his assailants was half his size, they
succeeded in dragging him to a tree, to the trunk of which they secured
him with the rope they had passed round his waist. Then they lashed his
hands as if he was clasping the tree, with his face to the trunk, while
his ankles were placed in a still more uncomfortable position.

"He cannot abuse us, or kick, or strike, but he can see," suggested some
one.

The hint was forthwith taken, and he was quickly blindfolded.

"We will draw lots to settle who is to colt him," said Ernest. "You
understand, my friends, that it will be better he should not know who
have been his executioners."

Lots were forthwith drawn with some ceremony. Four boys were chosen,
and they, nothing very loth, began to flourish the very weapon with
which he had just been striking their friends.

When Ernest and his party came up they found Bouldon and Gregson on the
ground, both of them so much hurt as to be scarcely able to rise.
Ernest with two or three other boys, having seen Blackall safely
secured, went to attend to them. They got water from the pond and
bathed their temples, and undid their shirt collars, and in a little
time set them up on their legs. As may be supposed, the first use they
made of their restored strength was to go and watch the proceedings
taking place with regard to Blackall. Their feelings revolted at the
thought of thrashing one who had been so lately ill-treating them. They
felt that had they done so, they would naturally be accused of being
influenced by vindictive feelings; whereas they wished that he should
understand that; the thrashing he was receiving was a lawful punishment
for the cruelty he had so long inflicted on others. The boys who had
been selected as executioners set to work very much in the fashion of
young boatswain's mates on board of a man-of-war. After one had given
five or six strokes another came on, till at last some one declared that
he had fainted. So he had, but it was chiefly through rage and
indignation. However, they took the gag out of his mouth, but the first
use he made of his restored power of speech was to abuse and threaten
them so dreadfully, that they came behind him and again clapped the gag
into his mouth. In vain he struggled. He was too securely bound to get
free. Ernest had learned, as every boy should, how