well ahead of them, and when
they reached the school, not a little tired, and as hungry as hounds
should be, were found, seated at table, in clean dry garments, and
enjoying a hearty supper. The two hares were speedily joined by
huntsman, whipper-in, and hounds; and the Doctor and two or three of the
bigger boys came in to superintend the feast, and to hear them "fight
their battles o'er again." The hares said very little of their
exploits; but it is surprising what wonderful accounts some of the
hounds gave of what they had done, what hair-breadth escapes they had
had, what hills they had climbed, what streams and ditches they had
leaped.

CHAPTER FOUR.

ERNEST'S NEW FRIEND.

After the Easter holidays, several new boys came. One of them was
called Edward Ellis. He had a remarkably quiet and subdued manner. The
general remark was, that he looked as if he was cowed. He was certainly
out of spirits. He spoke very little, avoided making friends, or, at
all events, confidants, and seldom entered into any of our games. He
seemed prepared to suffer any amount of bullying, even from little
fellows, and if he was struck, he never struck again. He had been at
school before, but he never said where. Probably, however, he had been
there for some time, for he was already fourteen, though not big or
strong for his age. With such a disposition and habits as I have
described, of course he could not be a favourite with any one; at the
same time, it could not be said that he was positively disliked.
Ernest, seeing how solitary and melancholy he appeared, compassionated
the poor fellow, and never lost an opportunity of speaking kindly to
him. This conduct had its due effect, and Ellis took pains to show his
gratitude.

Ernest had no little difficulty in defending his new friend, both from
attacks made with the fists and those levelled with that still sharper
weapon, the tongue. Ellis was much exposed to the latter, especially on
account of his ungainly appearance and uncouth manners. Of course
Blackall took especial delight in bullying him, as there was no fear of
a retort, by word, look, or deed. This conduct especially excited
Ernest's indignation, and he resolved to defend Ellis, at every personal
risk, from the attacks of the bully.

"Oh, I have always been an unfortunate, unhappy fellow!" exclaimed poor
Ellis one day, in the bitterness of his spirit, after he had been more
than usually bullied. "Unfortuna