cises he
could, and did some of them better. Lemon was not so strong as
Blackall, but he had a more correct eye, and a calmer temper; both very
important qualifications, especially in most athletic exercises. He
was, in consequence, a better cricketer, and a still better fencer.
Even at the broadsword exercise, although at first it might appear that
Blackall was far superior to Miles, the latter had more than once given
proof that it was hard work for any one to gain a victory over him.

Blackall's great fault was a strong inclination to bully. He was a
tyrant, and utterly indifferent to the feelings of others. If he wanted
a thing done, he did not consider what trouble and annoyance it might
give others, but, confiding in his strength, he made all the smaller
boys do what he wanted. If they refused, he thrashed them till they
promised to obey him. He was a great talker, and a never-ceasing
boaster of what he had done, and of what he could do and would do. As
he certainly could do many of the things he talked about, it was
believed that he could do everything. Some believed in him, but others
did not. Such a person was, however, sure to have a number of followers
and ardent admirers, who quoted him on all occasions,--stuck by him
through thick or thin, right or wrong, and looked upon him as one of the
finest fellows in existence.

Among the most constant of his followers was Robert Dawson--Bobby Dawson
he was always called. He was not a badly inclined little fellow, but he
had no confidence in himself, and, consequently, wanted to lean on
somebody else. Unfortunately he chose Blackall as his supporter.

Among the smaller boys who aspired to be considered something above the
common was Tommy Bouldon. He was a determined, independent little
fellow. He was very active, and could perform more feats of activity
than any other boy of his size. He was a fair cricketer, and was
sometimes chosen by some of the bigger fellows to play in their matches.
This made Tommy rather cocky at times; but he was a good-natured chap,
and managed to live on good terms with everybody.

Tommy, like Blackall, was rather apt to boast of what he had done, or he
purposed doing; but in one respect he was different;--he never
exaggerated in his descriptions of his past exploits, and seldom failed
to perform whatever he undertook to do.

The boys I have described were among the many who were exercising away
with all their might and m