unningly devised to protrude in the
form of a tongue from his mouth, while ginger-beer bottles filled with
gunpowder served as hands. And the whole work of art was one dark
evening conveyed by me tenderly and deposited among a wilderness of
broken forms, empty hampers, and old bottles in the lumber room under
the school gymnasium, "to be called for" in a few days time.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

GUNPOWDER TREASON.

One result of my boating excursion was that Crofter ceased to frequent
his fellow-seniors' studies. There was no declaration of war, or,
indeed, any formal breaking off of relations. But Crofter had sense
enough of his own dignity to feel that he had been slighted by Tempest:
and Tempest and his friends had no inclination to heal the trouble, or
assume an attitude of friendliness they did not feel.

As for me, I found it very hard to steer an even course between the
competing parties. Crofter nodded and spoke to me just as usual, and
was evidently amused by my panic lest these pacific overtures should be
observed or misconstrued by Tempest. Tempest, on the other hand, did
not refer again to the subject, but took a little more pains than before
to look after me and help me in my work. And an evening or two later,
much to my surprise, when I went as usual to "tidy up" in Pridgin's room
while Tempest was there too, my lord and master said abruptly,--

"Let my things alone, kid. Tempest appreciates a mess in his place more
than I do, so I've swopped you for Trimble."

"What?" said I, in tones of mingled amazement and pleasure. "Am I--"

"You're to go and fetch my blazer," said Tempest, "that I left on the
parallel bars in the gymnasium this afternoon. Look alive, or I shall
stick to Trimble."

I really began to think there must be something unusually desirable
about me, that fellows should be so anxious to possess me. The
Philosophers had with one accord sought me for president. Pridgin had
wanted me. Crofter had wanted me. Even Redwood had wanted me. And now
here was old Tempest putting in his claim! He should have me--I would
not be so selfish as to deprive him of the coveted privilege.

In a somewhat "tilted" condition I went off on my errand, not even
delaying to announce the great news to my fellow-Philosophers. It was a
dark evening, and the gymnasium was some way off. But I knew the way by
this time. I had daily walked past the area door and glanced down at
the dangerous guy where i