ed a wish to see the boys at their usual exercise of
the play hour. If the request be admissible--"

"Certainly, mon general; of course," said he. And stepping forward, he
beckoned to one of the drummers to come near. He whispered a word, and
the tattoo beat out; and, like magic, every one sprang from his ranks,
caps were flung into the air, and vivas rung out from every quarter of
the court.

The sudden transition from discipline to perfect liberty added to our
excitement, and we became half wild with delight. The first mad burst
of pleasure over, we turned, as if by instinct, to our accustomed
occupations. Here were seen a party collecting for a drill, officers
gathering and arranging their men, and sergeants assisting in the
muster; there, were others, armed with spades and shovels, at work on
an entrenchment, while some were driving down stockades and fixing a
palisade; another set, more peaceful in their pursuits, had retired to
their little gardens, and were busy with watering-pots and trowels.

The section I belonged to were the seniors of the school, and we had
erected a kind of fort which it was our daily amusement to defend and
attack, the leadership on either side being determined by lots. On
this day the assault had fallen to my command, and I hurried hither and
thither collecting my forces, and burning for the attack.

We were not long in assembling; and the garrison having announced their
readiness by the display of a flag from the ramparts, the assault began.
I know not why nor wherefore, but on this day my spirits were unusually
high; it was one of those chance occasions when my temperament, heated
and glowing, had elevated me in my own esteem, and I would have given my
life for some opportunity of distinguishing myself.

I led my party on, then, with more than common daring, and though
repulsed by the besieged, we fell back only for a moment, and returned
to the assault determined to succeed; the others, animated by the same
spirit, fought as bravely, and the cheers that rose from one side were
replied to by shouts as full of defiance from the other. Heated and
excited, I turned round to order an attack of my whole force, when to
my surprise I beheld that the general and his staff, accompanied by the
ladies, had taken their places a short distance off, and were become
interested spectators of the siege. This alone was wanting to stimulate
my efforts to the utmost, and I now returned to the fight wit