ers were there also, holding terriers; and
scouts from the cricketing grounds, with bats and pads under
their arms; and hostlers, and men from the boats, all on the same
errand of getting the last shilling out of their patrons--a
fawning, obsequious crowd for the most part, with here and there
a sturdy Briton who felt that he was only there for his due.

Through such a group, at the gate of St. Ambrose, Tom and Hardy
passed soon after breakfast time, in cap and gown, which costume
excited no small astonishment.

"Hullo, Brown, old fellow! ain't you off this morning?"

"No, I shall be up for a day or two yet."

"Wish you joy. I wouldn't be staying up over to-day for
something."

"But you'll be at Henley to-morrow?" said Diogenes, confidently,
who stood at the gate in boating coat and flannels, a big stick
and knapsack, waiting for a companion, with whom he was going to
walk to Henley.

"And at Lord's on Friday," said another. "It will be a famous
match. Come and dine somewhere afterwards, and go to the
Haymarket with us."

"You know the Leander are to be at Henley," put in Diogenes; "and
Cambridge is very strong. There will be a splendid race for the
cup, but Jervis thinks we are all right."

"Bother your eternal races! Haven't we had enough of them
already?" said the Londoner. "You had much better come up to the
little village at once, Brown, and stay there while the coin
lasts."

"If I get away at all, it will be to Henley," said Tom.

"Of course, I knew that," said Diogenes, triumphantly, "our boat
ought to be on for the ladies' plate. If only Jervis were not in
the University crew! I thought you were to pull at Henley,
Hardy?"

"I was asked to pull, but I couldn't manage the time with the
schools coming on, and when the examinations were over it was too
late. The crew were picked and half trained, and none of them
have broken down."

"What! Every one of them stood putting through the sieve? They
must be a rare crew, then," said another.

"You're right," said Diogenes. "Oh, here you are at last," he
added, as another man in flannels and knapsack came out of
college. "Well, good-bye all, and a pleasant vacation; we must be
off, if we are to be in time to see our crew pull over the course
to-night;" and the two marched off towards Magdalen Bridge.

"By Jove!" remarked a fast youth, in most elaborate toilette,
looking after them, "fancy two fellows grinding off to Henley,
five miles an hour, in this