ppose that preliminary got over. All the rest of the company are to
tie their handkerchiefs into knots, with which to baste the bear. Now,
I, as keeper, will fasten a rope round the waist of the bear, leaving a
scope of about five feet. We take our position within a circle of about
five feet in diameter, in the centre of the room. Here the circle is
easily formed by tacking a little red tape down to the carpet. If I, as
keeper, touch anybody without dragging the bear out of the ring, that
person must become bear, and may select his keeper; or if the bear
catches anybody by the legs, and holds him fast in the same way, he must
take the bear's place. Now we are all ready. Very well, then, hit away
with all your might."

Tom looked very lugubrious as, taking up his position, he saw the
preparations making for his basting.

"Oh, oh, oh! Don't, kind gentlemen, hit hard," he cried out in piteous
accents; and then in a deep tone he added, "if you do, to a certainty
I'll catch hold of some of you, and make you rue the day."

Nothing daunted by Tom's threats, the party began to attack him
vigorously; but they ran no little risk of being caught by Lemon, who
sprang out on them to the full length of the rope, now and then almost
pulling Tom out of his line; Bouldon also was very active, especially
when any of his schoolfellows came near him. He growled and roared in a
very wild-beast-like way, sometimes springing at Ernest, sometimes at
Buttar or Ellis. Frank, the midshipman, also came in for an equal share
of his attentions, and he seemed to consider that he was much on a par
with him. The moment Frank understood the game, he played as vehemently
as anybody. He said that it was a capital game, and that he should
introduce it on board the next ship he joined. In spite of all his
activity, Tom got many a hard lick, and still he remained a bear. At
last he pretended to be so weary of his exertions, that he could not
attempt to capture one of his tormentors. Those who were acquainted
with Tom best, and saw his eye, knew that he was not to be trusted. The
midshipman, however, was not up to him, and rushing in, found himself
grasped tightly round the knee by the seeming half-sleeping bear.

"I thought that I should catch you, Frank," cried Bouldon, shouting in
triumph. "Now please go and turn into a bear, and take care that you
don't get into a butter boat."

Frank had therefore to become the bear. He chose Ellis