allow himself to be thrashed by a fellow half a head shorter than
himself, and so much younger. He dared not attack either Ernest or
Ellis openly, but he resolved to take his revenge on them as soon as
possible. He had not long to wait for an opportunity. Before our
drilling lessons were over, Sergeant Dibble used to arm us all with
basket-hilted sticks, which served the purpose of broadswords; and,
forming in two parties on opposite sides of the parade-ground, we were
ordered to advance and attack, and defend ourselves, delivering or
receiving so many cuts each time the two lines passed each other.
Blackall, who prided himself on being a good swordsman, thought this
would be a fine opportunity for inflicting a severe revenge on
Bracebridge, whom he dared not now bully as formerly, and kick and cuff
whenever he met him.

"Now, young gentlemen, prepare for the broadsword exercise," the
Sergeant sung out in his clear, sharp voice. "Fall in line; fall in!"

Ellis had begun to learn the broadsword exercise, though it was a sore
trial to him, for he found great difficulty in recollecting the proper
guards or strokes, and he was always receiving some severe cuts across
the head or shoulders or legs, and getting into trouble by giving the
wrong strokes, and making his opponents, who were not prepared for them,
suffer accordingly. Bracebridge had hit upon a plan to save him
somewhat from this, by taking him as his opponent; and when he saw him
making the wrong stroke, he was ready with the proper guard; and when he
saw that Ellis had not his right guard, he either hit him softly, or hit
at the guard presented to him. This was very good practice to Ernest,
though it made Sergeant Dibble sing out, every now and then--

"Mr Bracebridge! Mr Bracebridge! can you never remember to listen to
the word of command, sir? When I say cut two, I often see you cut four;
and when I say third guard, you are apt to use the first or second
guard. How is this, sir? Mr Ellis, you are not attentive either, sir,
permit me to observe. When I say defend, draw up the hand smartly, and
from the first guard. Be smart!--second guard! third guard! Remember,
if you have a big, ugly fellow, with a sword sharp enough to divide a
bolster, who happens to wish to cut your head off, he doesn't stop to
consider which is the right guard to make, or thrust to deliver. He'd
whip off your head before you had time to look round, and then what
would you