CHAPTER III.

Otago Witness, Issue 548, 31 May 1862, Page 7

CHAPTER III.

CONTAINS Till: IIKCORD OF A tltE\li.>i).t'CS

BATTLE.

And now I was fairly launched into school life, although, as it turned out, on'y for a short period. r i he school house, as I hare said at the commencement of the last chapter, was white-washed from top to bottom. A great white square block, it stood on the pathway like a yhost. Every room in it was 6taring white. The walls stared at you, the ceilings stared at you, the very fire-places stared at yuu, and sent a white stare up the chimney, which in the natural oi-der of things ought to have been black. When 1 lay in bed at night I was impressed and enthralled by white staring visions, and white staring faces used to peep through the white blinds, till I shut in\- eyes and buried my head iv the pillow to keep them out. And there, as I lay, the enchanted iiugs and brilliant phantasmagoria a youthful imagination can call up with its inner -erse of sight, leflected nothing back but white circles enlarging and dissolving in quaint fantastic fashion. When I opened my e\ eN in the morning I lay staring at the ceiling, wondering why it was so white, and longing ior a black or discoloured patch to appear to relieve the teJious glare. JS'ot a room was papeied. Health, said Doctor Damm, is necessary to my pupils, for if they have not health, they cannot properly exercise the functions of the mind. And I will have no rougheued walls, pasted over with absurd designs on paper to harbor the bugs and black beetles, and foster the vermin that congregate wherever they have a chance. And he looked with pride on his walls, and then turned his eyes complacently on the ruddy faces of his young pupils glowing with health and vigor. The play ground was fenced iv by great palings, also white-washed. The first day I took a stroll therein, I became acquainted with a character whom we shall meet with again iv the course of this history. In the following manner.

I was walking timidly along, quite strange and lonely, when a voice exclaimed, " Where is he ?"

'_' Here he is,"' exclaimed a dozen officious voices in reply, and the next moment I was atanding before the tyrant of the schooL '•Now then, my fine fellow," said he, " what's your name ?" " Christopher, please." " Don't please me," bawled he. " Have you got any plum cake ?"

"Yes, sir," and ,i fine large plum cake it was. '

"Now then, Christopher, go and fetch me that plum cake."

"What do you want with it?" a3ked I, mustering up courage.

'• What do I want with it ? Well, that's a good 'uc. Why, to eat it to be sure." *' But it isu't yours." "Isn't it? But I make it mine, don't I boys ?" asked he.

Here two or three lickspittles acquiesced. isow, this piuiu cake, packed carefully up in my chest by my dear mother, had been matter of especial contemplation to rue, and I had leflected with infinite pleasure on the gratification and consolation I should receive in eating it slice by slice. I set my teeth close, and did not answer. The tyrant, whose name was Marks, was a thickset boy, with carrotty hair and^ pink eyes, twice the weight of me, and half-a-dozen times as strong; but with all these things to my disadvantage, I determined to perish rather than yield up my plum cake. " Now then, lively," shouted he, " are you going to fetch it ?"

- "No," I answered firmly. " No, " exclaimed he, amazed, and taking hold of me by the neck. "Do you nlean it." "Yes I do ; and I mean that, and that," and I struck him twice with all my strength full in the face.

I have no distinct recollection of what followed. I know that I found myself sitting on somebody's knee, with my nos- all bloody, and looking ruefully at my antagonist, who was squariog up towards me. "Bravo! Bravo! He's a plucky one," 1 heard said, and down I went like a pancake. Up again, and just preparing myself to be knocked down for the third time, when the crowd parted, and young Manly darted in to my rescue. "Now look here, bally Marks," said he, "ju3t you let the young "un alone, or youll get what you won't like"

"Ho! Ho!" shouted Marks, "I'll settle you if )ou interfere. Come now, Manly, move oat of the way, and let me finish my thrashing, or I'll finish it on yuu." " You will, will you." cried Manly, all his blood up, and throwing off his jacket. " Come on, then "

And now commenced a battle it would take the pen of a Macaulay to describe. Manly had more science on his side than strength, and Marks vice versa. I trembled for my champion, for I knew, if he was licked, nothing would ?ave me.

IvOlno First. — Marks came up like a young bull. Manly, wary, and looking ouc for squalls, nevertheless received a lefthander, •which scut him down.

Three cheers for Marks by the boys Roind Second. — Manly, fresh as a lark, stood again upon his guard, and again went down from the effects oi a left-hander.

Three more cheers for the champion. Hurrah! Only one voice was heard in encouragement, saying, " Keep up your pecker, Manly. Don't be beat." I looked gratefully at the speaker, and gave him a thaukful smile of acknowledgment. Koi'nd fjiritD. — Manly, not much flurried, with a c«ol smile upon his lips, slill kept his ground, and waited for his assailant. He, coming up (hushed with victory, struck out again with his left. My champion parried, and saluted his antagonist with a stunning blow i,n the face. Marks staggered, hit out wildly, and in another moment bit the dust.

Silence by the boys, and I saw the pupil without joints jump head over heels with glee. He could not turn. The voice sounded very I'oud as it said, '• Bravo, Manly, you'll beat him."

Rouivd Fourtu. — Manly led the attack, received a blow on his left arm intended for his head, and sent Marks down again with his right.

Chorus of boys : "Co it Manly. There's a brick. Let's give him a cheer;" while the voice said sarcastically, " Never mind these lickspittles, Manly. Give the bully a jolly good licking." Eodnd Fifth.— Both parties very cautious, studying each other attentively. Marks made a desperate rush, and Manly stepping briskly- aside, the bully tell his whole length m the dust.

Three cheers for Manly ! Hurra! Hurra! Ho-o-o-ra! Wliile the Unjointed jumped tbree distinct somerfcaults with the most intense satisfaction.

r ■ v "/? 5 1X ? H ~ Marks stood up with a lrigntiul black eye, and I patted my champion on the back like a true bottle-holder, when theie suddenly appeared amongst us— Doctor Damm !

If ever theie was a man v.ho detested to see boys fighting, it was Doctor Damm ; and over and over again he had referred to it in school, and trusted that no such " unseemly exhibition wouhl take place; in Educational College ; indeed, he had fuil reason to believe that nothing of the sort would over occur, as the boys were too well-bred to encourage so ruffianly a habit." It was partly in consequence of this that Marks had been allowed to pursue a quiet course of tyranny for some time past, levying black toll upon all the weaker pupils.

Some of the boys were slinking off at the sight of the Doctor, but were stopped midway by his exclaiming in a stern voice, " Every boy keep his present position, and perfect silence."

" Now then," when his commands had been obeyed, i; who commenced this fight?"

At this there was a perfect upronr. "It was Manly." '• No, it wasn't, it was the new boy. "If you please, Sir, it was Marks, and he's always bullying us," exclaimed another young patriot, who saw that now was the time to strike a blow for liberty.

"Silence!" thundered the doctor. "Step forward, Manly, Marks, and Master Christopher."

We all came forward. I was much smaller than the others, but my nose was all bloody. Manly had an awful puffy lip, and Marks coukl only open one eye. " You three boys have all been fighting. Fet<ft me a chair one of you." Haifa dozen ran off at the order, tumbling over each other in their eagerness. " I am surprised to see you in disgrace so early, Master Christopher. The oldest boy — Marks, you are the oldest, I believe — tell me how it occurred."

"If you please, Doctor Damm," said the young liar, "I was walking up and dowu the play ground, thinking over my lessons, and wondering what ancient delicacy we should have for breakfast to-morrow morning, when -the new boy came up and claimed a knife 1 had in my hand as his own. I told him it was not his, and then he jumped on me like a tiger, and struck me. Of course I hit him back, and Manly came up, and I had two of them on me at once, and if you hadn't come up. Doctor, I should have been killed, I know I should, for Manly said he'd have my life," I and the wicked rascal began to cry with his one eye.

" Ah !" said the Doctor, looking at him very hard. But the bully never flinched from his gaze. '• Now, Manly, you tell me how it occurred."

" Will you believe me, Doctor Damm, if I teli you the truth ?" asked Manly.

" I must believe you," replied the Doctor, "if you tell the truth, for I am determined to know it."

"Well, Sir, I know nothing more than I saw a crowd gathered here, and when I came up found that Marks was beating this little fellow to a jelly," and he laid his hand upon my shoulder, *' while all the other cowards were looking on. I couldn't bear to see a stiong fellow like that boating a weak little chap like Master Christopher, and I stepped in to prevent it, and gave Marks a licking. And that's the whole truth, Doctor Damm, as far a3 I know it," and the young champion held up his head boldly and fearlessly.

" And now, Christopher," said the doctor, turning round to me, " let me know all about it, and tell me the truth."

And I related the whole affair, and felt so sore at the idea of being unjustly accused, and receiving a beating in the bargain, that I began to cry. At this moment an unexpected ally came to my rescue. This was no other than the Rolling-eyed, who, it appears, had witnessed the whole affair, Before I saw him, I felt the mysterious influence of his presence about me; his eyes rolled round and round me in a bewildering manner, and I believe all the other pupils felt his influence in like manner.

Throwing himself into a graceful attitude, he placed his left hand under bis coat tails, extendedhis right impressively in the air, and made an incoherent statement to the following effect:— -

" Sir," addressing Dr. Damm, " I saw this young gentleman" (meaning me), " for a gentleman he is, and calls me a sir — '" (here he chuckled) "a walkin unmullested and un. mullestin along the play-ground, when Master Marks he walks up and knocks him down, when the other," meaning Manly, " elbowed his way, and one was a bottle-holder, and the other two fell a-fi^htin," and here his ideas became dreadfully entangled, and he looked helplessly round with his rolling optics. However, little by little Dr. Damm elicited the truth, and then turning round to us, said, " Master Manly and Master Christopher, although I abhor the brutal practice of boys hammering each other into a jelly, and think it most unchristianly and ciuel, lam bound to acquit you from any fault in the matter. Master Marks, you will eat by yourself lor a week, and I will take care that no ancient delicacy perplexes your fancy In addition to which, you will come with me, sir, and receive corporeal punishment for the falsehoods you have told."

And away they marched, the culprit and thejuoVe.

" Well Chris, my boy, we've taken the pluck out of him, I think," said Manly. I expressed my thanks as well as I could, and humbly hoped he would receive a portion of the plum cake that evening. " All right, Chris," said he, laughing ; " I am far from being backward in coming forward. I assure you We'll have a feast." As he finished ail the boys set up a shout, ''Three cheers for Manly! Hurra for the champion ! Down with the tyrant ! " and the officious youngsters clustered round him, and threw their caps in the air. " Bah ! you lickspittles I Get out of my way, you cowards !" returned Manly, looking majestically down, and spurning them. " I say, Manly, this is too bad you know," exclaimed one. "It wasn't our fault, you know, that the new 'un got a licking. We've all been licked in our time; and we didn't know it was going to turn out so." "Never mind, boys," returned my friend, "shall we forgive them, Chris?" I nodded my head. " Very well, I and my chum invite you to a feast over a plum cake he intends to cut up to night. And look here ; I take him under my protection, and if any of you ain't civil to him, just you look out, that's all I've got to say." In the evening I cut my plum cake, and having watched my opportunity, presented Rolling eyes with a good slice iv token of my approval.

" Oh, lor !" said he, "ain't it prime? Wou't mother be glud ?" 1 explained that I was very much obliged to him for the way he came forward. " Are you now ?" he said, " I didn't think nothink of it."

He made no attempt to go away, but kept his eyes rolling round me as usual. Seeing that I must make an eflbrt myself, I said, " Good evening." 1 was walking upstairs when he came to me again, and putting the plum cake into my hand said, " 1 am much obliged to you," and rumpled his hair distressfully. I was very much amazed at his conduct, and looked at him puzzled to know what he meant.

'" What do you give it me back for ?" I fiSlvC.i . '• Oh, I miisn't, you know," said he. "Musn't what?" asked I again. " Musn't take it?" He rolled his eyes in the negative. " Why not ?" I inquired . " Oh, you know," answered he hysterically. " Doctor Dainin says I musn't take bribes."

'• Well," I persisted, " but this isn't a bribe."

l> Lor ! ain't it ?" said lie. " What is it then ? My name's Samuel, please." " Well Samuel, it's a piece of plum cake." With this assurance he took it again. But another doubt seemed to strike him. Boiling his eyes about with dreadful velocity, he whispered,

" I'lum cake ain't dicshunary for bribe ? feamuel, if you please." '■ No, Samuel, nothing to do with it;" and hugging the parcel, he walked away rejoicing. Ihat same night, at a concerted signal, after h e lights were taken away, there arose from

heir several beds some score of spectral boj's n white bedgowns. Having produced my cake, Manly displayed, with a groat deal of ostentation and pride (waving its bright blade to and fro in the moonlight), a large clasp knife, with which he commenced cutting it into portions. All our talk was in whispes, and one unfortunate, having raided his voice only half a note, was instantly docked of half his share, Manly appropriating it to himself. •' Now, then," whispered the president, almost turning red iv the face at the exertions he had to make to Tender himself undei stood in that sepulchral tone, "Are you all ready ?"

" All ready," whispered a score of voices.

■' Then, when I s><\y, fire, eat away. Get ready. One, two, fire !" and as the word hissed round the circle, twenty pieces of plum cake were popped into twenty eager mouths, and crammed down twenty juvenile throats.

When they had finished, Manly whispered, " All done ?" " All done !" was whispered in reply. "Then we'll have a soft chorus. For he's a jolly good fellow. I'll commence. Don't raise your voices."

And thereupon such a quiet chorus was sung that I must request the printer to put it in his minutest tpye. " For he's a jolly gooil fellow For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow Which none of us can deny. Which none of us can deny, I'or he's a jolly good fellow, Which none of us can deny, With a hip — hip — hip— hurra ! Wiih iihi])— hip — hip — hurra ! Hurra! Hurra ! Hurra ! "

This was the order in which it was sung, and the whole twenty hurras would not have nude a tolerable size whisper.

The moon was shining into the room as we all crept into bed looking like the nuns iv Robert the Devil awaiting from their trance. And I lay down and looked up to the white ceiling, which was covered with white plum cakes, witli white jolly good fellows, with white nightcaps on, sticking up in the middle as ornaments.