Brothers

S v. B

ctacles. The boys studied the lives of famous captains, from Miltiades to Wellington, and at tea and breakfast would fight the world's great battles with such well-seasoned troops as chipped plates and saucers, a battered salt-cellar and pepper-pot, a glass milk-jug, and a Britannia metal teapot, which would not pour properly. India, and in particular the

isten to them, but he was not

rrow chest and skinny arms; "why you'd die of fatigue in

't know"), "you have forgotten," Mark replied, "that Alexand

y were har

g-going to the Gym" (gymnasium) "e

summer?" J

e place to myself-

Jim was asked to feel his b

of the inside panels of his bedstead, he found the name of a

leep in his be

hap you are!"

bed I may d-dream o

faction; for Jim's had a trick of c

mind and muscle too hard. Never was spirit more willing, nor flesh more weak. One day, a sult

id. "And as two heads are better than one I've sent f

Jim suggested nothing, Billy continued: "The case presents di

or Billy had a trick of leading fel

goes too fast

sion to the hunting-fiel

Billy thoughtfully, "are rat

ride cunning

llow me, I see. Now Samphire major, big tho

r," sa

ting that his tutor was too heavy for a first-flight

too fine a point on i

Jim, swell

ut, teach him that valuable lesson

e would have said), it was in the us

d Jim, not s

ould you se

I don't see my way, but I'll

and polished

you expect to be in the Sixth next September? Yes. Suppo

, s

adise Regained was the jol

said Ji

ay you were fags. Now, if I gave you my word that there would be no real loss of t

all rig

im-er-poise, not avoirdupois, of which he has enough already. Samphire minor will not complain if you keep him company. Good

in that it is lawful to give what is called "yards." A boy, for instance, dribbling the ball, may turn and kick it to one of his own side. If this manoeuvre be executed neatly, the other boy catches it and yells: "Yards!" Then the opposite side retires

ers of the house

, instead of giving 'yards' and taking it coolly. Let's you and I prac

a wet, slippery ball. Then one afternoon, when Billy came down to see how his house was getting on, both boys gave "yards," in the forefront of the battle. As they panted up the hill af

eat man. "If you go on like that, I

wfully,"

the list went up on the old landing at the head of the rickety stairs, a

o play next," said many whos

use me of favouring, the silly fools, as if my brother wa

that,

n't count. We must give 'em a licking, and afterwards it will

eputation of playing a savage game. Bashan's, it was said, would sell their souls and bodies to lower Billy's pride, and Billy's would sell theirs as cheerfully rather than

wn to miss many things in life, but his house-match-never! Behind the cro

er it like a lurcher after a rabbit! By virtue of his speed he shot by Billy's top-side men before they had got into their stride; in another second he ha

ldly and critically. Archie had a vacuous expression, as

to have a f-fi

n of finer clay than his fellows seeks and finds opportunity. Mark, for instance, rose to and above this emergency. He, the smallest player on the ground, the one, physically speaking, least well equipped for the t

d Mark, "you must c

raised his

Mark!" sai

Bashanites haven't a chance i

son to respect Mark's abilities as a schola

n 'em. Don't attack a victorious enemy! Defence is our game. Pull our fellows together! Tell 'em to keep c-cool and quiet for te

ing and bellowing; but Billy's held together. Doubtless Billy himself fathomed the plan of campaign, for when the fry of his house began to complain, when cries of "Follow up! Follow up!" were heard above the yells of the Bashanites, when shrill

Well played! Ste

ers to charge. And didn't Billy's charge? Didn't every boy's heart thrill to that whispered word? Charge? Aye, with a yell which must have echoed in the Fourth Form Room, nearly a mile away. Charge? Yes-with the fury of

o two-and

ry hurled at them, Jim found time to observ

yet," s

on retaining the advantage of their one goal, not daring to risk it in pursuit of another. Once, twice, thrice, Billy's swept up the field, to be driven back and back when within a dozen paces of the Bashanite citadel. And then, at the fourth essay, Ji

himself and the goal-posts. Jim shut his eyes, which in point of fact were nearly closed already. A

and twenty mi

up, sucking a lemon

to Mark, "what

gain, and precious little to lose. We ought to go back to our de

"if your body was half as big a

play on the defensive. These tactics may seem elementary to the modern player, but five-and-twenty years ago football on both sides of the Atlantic

is skull was the most invulnerable part of his person, with the result that Billy's lost his services and weight when they wer

right," Ma

and on strode that glorious figure in the violet-and-black stripes. Only one more Bashanite stood between him and the goal; but he, crafty as Ulysses, was quick to perceive what must be done. The ball rolled between him and the all-con

!" yelled

Bashanites retreated, cursing. In a minute "Time" would be called

knowing that they would meet with irresistible force on the spot where he was standing,

ooked

l was in the hands of a sure and safe player. And then, as a roar of applause ascende

ver. Bashan's h

ashan's goal. Three figures rose silently; the fourth lay

ight, old cha

is arm was turned outw

as the two elevens su

er admired him so much nor liked him so well, because hi

u hear me? Don't you hear me?" His voice b

formed a ring around the brothers and Billy, who had his fingers on Mark's pulse. Beyond this inner circle was the outer circle of spectators. One boy began to sneeze, and the s

had retired with the Lubber to a distant bench, busy in bandaging that giant's

any pulse,"

d was as that of

d demanded, giving expression to the u

listening for that murmur of life wh

ing to," h

p. The school sighed with relief. The c

nded the surgeon,

geon touched Mark's body in a dozen places. Mark gasp

little the worse for wear. There, there, shut your eyes and believ

brought. Mark closed his eyes and lay bac

carry the hur

ormed itself into two long lines; and when Mark passed through-p

rs for Samp

tartling, perhaps, some bookworm too intent upon what has been to care greatly for what is and may be; down the familiar street, where countless generations of ardent boys had hastened to work or play; on and on till it reached Billy's-Billy's with its hoa