whatever small chance he ever had
of coxing his house's boat at the coming regatta, had vanished under the
new arrangement which had brought Riddell into the boat.

It is only fair to say that this disappointment, keen as it was, had no
effect on his loyalty. He was as ready as ever to fight any one who
spoke ill of the schoolhouse. But it certainly had given him a jar,
which resulted in rather strained relations with some of his old allies
in Parrett's.

Of course nothing could shake his devotion to Parson. That was secure
whatever happened, but towards the other heroes of Parrett's,
particularly the seniors, he felt unfriendly. He conceived he must have
been the victim of a plot to prevent his steering the schoolhouse boat.
It was the only reason he could think of for his ill-luck; and though he
never tried to argue it out, it was pretty clear to his own mind some
one was at the bottom of it. And if that was so, who more likely than
Bloomfield and Game and that lot, who had everything to gain by his
being turned out of the rival boat?

This was the state of mind of our aggrieved junior one afternoon not
long before the regatta, as he strolled dismally across the "Big" on his
way to the river. Parson was not with him. He was down coxing his
boat, and the thought of this only reminded Telson of his own bad luck,
and added to his ill-temper.

He was roused from his moody reflections by the approach of two boys,
who hailed him cheerily.

"What cheer, Telson, old man?" cried King. "How jolly blue you look!
What's the row?"

"Nothing," replied Telson.

"We've just been down to see the boats. Awful spree to see old Riddell
steering! isn't it, Bosher?"

"Yes," said Bosher; "but he's better than he was."

"Never mind, they won't lick us," said King. "You should have seen our
boat! Bless you, those schoolhouse louts--"

"King, I'll fight you!" said Telson, suddenly.

"Oh! beg pardon, old man, I didn't--eh--what?"

This last remark was caused by the fact that Telson was taking off his
coat. King, utterly taken aback by these ominous preparations,
protested his sorrow, apologised, and generally humiliated himself
before the offended schoolhouse junior.

But Telson had been looking out for a cause of quarrel, and now one had
come, he was just in the humour for going through with the business.
"Do you funk it?" he asked.

"Oh, no; not that, old man," said King, still friendly, and very slowly
unbutto