, or they'll cut us out. Now then! Row, Bosher, can't you, you
old cow? Yah! hoo! Welchers ahoy!" he cried, raising his voice in
tones of derisive defiance. "Yah! boo! herrings and dough-nuts, jolly
cowards, daren't wait for us! Booh, funk-its!"

With such taunts the Hector of Parrett's endeavoured to incite the enemy
to battle. And the enemy, if truth must be told, needed very little
persuasion, especially as the crew in question consisted of Cusack,
Pilbury, and the three other ill-starred victim of the raid of two days
ago.

They lay on their oars and waited for the foe to come up, Cusack
shouting meanwhile, "Who'd be afraid of a pack of thieves like you! _I_
wouldn't! I dare you to land and fight us! Dare you to run into us!
Dare you to stand still till we lick you! Dare you to do anything but
steal other fellows' grub! Ye-ow!"

"Now, you fellows," cried Parson, "put it on."

A few strokes brought the two boats level, and then, as they lay side by
side at oar's distance, ensued a notable and tremendous splashing match,
which was kept up with terrific vigour on both sides, until not only was
every combatant splashed through, but the two boats themselves were
nearly swamped.

Then, after either side had insultingly claimed the victory, the boats
separated, and the dripping warriors parted with a final broadside.

"There you are, take that, and go and tell the captain!" shouted Parson.

"You wouldn't dare do it if Bloomfield was captain," retorted the
Welchers. "We'll have him captain, then see how you'll smile! Yah!
bah!"

And, amid terrific cat-calling on either side, the crews parted.

This last taunt was a sore one for the young Parretts. It had never
occurred to them that Bloomfield, if he were captain, might perhaps
spoil their sport more than Riddell. But it was only a passing
annoyance. After all they were Parretts, and Bloomfield was their man,
whether he spoiled their sport or not. Telson had no objection to this
sentiment as long as no one presumed "to cheek the schoolhouse" in
uttering it. Whenever that was done he insisted on his unalterable
determination to fight the offender unless he swallowed his words, which
the offender usually did.

The tide was getting slack, and it was time for them to turn if they
were to be in for "call-over." Just, however, as they were about to do
so, a shout behind attracted them, and they became aware of another
four-oared boat approaching wit